How to Obtain a Duplicate Vehicle Registration Certificate

Official Licence Academy • Updated recently

Introduction

A Registration Certificate (RC) is the official proof of ownership of a motor vehicle. If your physical RC smart card is lost, stolen, or mutilated, you must apply for a Duplicate RC immediately at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where your vehicle is registered. Operating a vehicle without a valid RC is a serious offense under Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) allows vehicle owners to apply online through the centralized Vahan Portal. For official filings, visit the [Vahan Portal Services](https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in).

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for a Duplicate Registration Certificate under the following circumstances: 1. Lost RC: The physical RC smart card has been lost, and a Police FIR (First Information Report) has been filed. 2. Mutilated / Damaged RC: The physical RC is torn, damaged, or the text has faded, making it illegible. 3. Stolen RC: The RC was stolen, and police could not recover it after a reasonable period. 4. Active Ownership: The applicant must be the registered owner of the vehicle in the RTO database.

Required Documents

Ensure you have the following documents ready before applying online:

  • Form 26: Application for the issue of duplicate registration certificate (filled and signed).
  • Police FIR Copy: Mandatory for lost or stolen RCs, stating the chassis/engine numbers.
  • Original RC: Mutilated physical card (required only if applying for damaged RC replacement).
  • Insurance Certificate: Scanned copy of a valid motor insurance policy.
  • PUC Certificate: Active Pollution Under Control certificate.
  • Chassis Print: Pencil print of the chassis number on a piece of paper.
  • Owner's KYC: Copies of Aadhaar Card, PAN, and Address Proof.

    • Fees & Charges

    The fees for obtaining a Duplicate RC on the Vahan portal are standard but vary by vehicle category: | Vehicle Class | Base Application Fee | Smart Card Issue Fee | Total Fee | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | | Two-Wheeler (Motorcycle/Scooter) | Rs. 150 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 350 | | Light Motor Vehicle (Private Car) | Rs. 300 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 500 | | Medium / Heavy Commercial Vehicle | Rs. 500 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 700 |

    All payments must be made online, and late fees may apply depending on the delay.

    Step-by-Step Process

    Follow these steps to apply for a Duplicate RC online: 1. File Police Report: Immediately report the loss of RC at the nearest police station or register an online lost-document report. Obtain a copy of the FIR. 2. Access Vahan Portal: Visit vahan.parivahan.gov.in, select your state, and enter your vehicle registration number. 3. Select Service: Choose "Application for Duplicate RC" from the online services menu. 4. Enter Details: Input the last 5 digits of your chassis and engine numbers to fetch vehicle details, then fill Form 26. 5. Upload Documents: Upload the signed Form 26, Police FIR, active Insurance, and PUC. 6. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment online and print the transaction receipt and Form 26. 7. RTO Submission: Visit the local RTO office with all original documents and your vehicle for physical verification of the chassis number. 8. RC Dispatch: Upon approval, the RTO dispatches the duplicate smart card RC via Speed Post.

    1

    File Police Report

    File a police report/FIR immediately to report the loss of your vehicle registration certificate.

    2

    Submit Online Application

    Visit the Vahan portal, select Application for Duplicate RC, and fill out Form 26.

    3

    Upload Documents and Pay Fees

    Upload required documents (FIR, insurance, PUC, Form 26) and pay the duplicate RC fee online.

    4

    Physical Verification at RTO

    Visit the local RTO with the vehicle and original documents for physical chassis verification.

    Timeline

    The estimated timeline for a Duplicate RC issuance:

  • Police report filing: 1 day.
  • Online form submission: 1 day.
  • RTO Verification & Processing: 15 to 30 working days.
  • Smart Card Delivery: Delivered to your registered home address via Speed Post within 30 days of RTO approval.

    • Common Mistakes

    Typical errors that cause Duplicate RC delays:

  • Incomplete Chassis Number in FIR: Failing to list the exact engine or chassis number in the police report, which results in RTO rejection.
  • Mismatched Signature: The owner's signature on Form 26 does not match the signature on record in the RTO database.
  • Expired Insurance/PUC: Attempting to apply with expired vehicle insurance or emissions certificates.

    • Important Notes

    Key rules to remember:

  • Hypothecation Check: If your vehicle has an active bank loan, you must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank before the RTO will issue a duplicate RC.
  • DigiLocker Validity: While waiting for the physical RC, you can present a digital copy of your RC via the verified government DigiLocker app as it is legally equivalent.

    • Conclusion

    Losing your vehicle RC can be stressful, but the online Vahan portal makes obtaining a duplicate certificate simple. By securing a police report, submitting Form 26, and completing RTO verification, you can replace your RC and remain legally compliant on roads.

    Important Tip
    All official licence and registration applications must be submitted through the government portal. Sarathi Parivahan ↗

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, if your RC is lost or stolen, a copy of the Police FIR is mandatory. If the RC is mutilated, the physical card is submitted instead.

    No, you must have a physical RC or apply for a duplicate RC before initiating the ownership transfer process.

    Form 26 is the official application form for the issue of a duplicate registration certificate, which must be signed by the owner.

    It typically takes 15 to 30 working days after submitting the physical documents to the RTO.

    Yes, you can track it on the Vahan portal using your application number under the "Know Your Application Status" tab.

    Yes, you can apply if you submit a valid local address proof of the state where you are currently residing.

    You must score at least 60% (typically 9 out of 15 questions correct) to pass the online computer test.

    No, you must apply for a separate commercial transport endorsement, which requires you to be at least 20 years of age.

    Yes, you can renew your license within 1 year before or after its expiry. However, driving with an expired license is illegal.

    You can apply for a duplicate driving license online via the Sarathi portal by submitting a copy of the police FIR and paying the fee.

    You can apply for the "Change of Address" service on the Sarathi portal and upload your new address proof.
    Official RTO & Government Portals

    Submit your applications, book test slots, pay fees, and track your application status on official government transport portals.

    Sarathi Portal Parivahan.gov.in VAHAN Portal

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