Duplicate RC: replace a lost or damaged registration certificate

The registration certificate (RC) is the document you show to prove your vehicle is registered, and you need it to sell the vehicle, move it to another state or renew its registration. If the RC is lost, stolen, torn, mutilated or worn out, you can apply for a duplicate RC on Vahan. The registration number, owner details and vehicle details stay the same; only the certificate is reissued.

Apply on the Vahan citizen services portal.

When a duplicate RC is issued

Parivahan’s duplicate RC page says a duplicate is issued to the registered owner when the RC is reported to be:

• lost or destroyed;
• mutilated or torn;
• used up, meaning worn out or no longer readable.

The application goes to the last registering authority, the RTO that last registered the vehicle or recorded a change on it. Only the registered owner can apply. If the owner has died, the legal heir first needs a transfer of ownership.

Report a loss or theft to the police first

If the RC is lost or destroyed, Parivahan’s page says you should report it to the police station for the area where the loss happened, and inform the registering authority that issued the RC in writing. The police report, sometimes called a lost-document report, is one of the documents for a duplicate RC.

Why it matters: a missing RC could be misused to sell a vehicle that is not the seller’s to sell. A dated police report shows when you lost it. If the RC was stolen along with the vehicle, the police complaint about the vehicle theft comes first, and your insurer will guide you on the claim.

Applying on Vahan, step by step

The Parivahan FAQ lists these steps:

1. Open the Vahan citizen services portal.
2. Enter the vehicle registration number and click Proceed.
3. Choose Basic Services.
4. Enter the last five characters of the chassis number and validate.
5. Generate the OTP, which goes to the mobile number registered on the vehicle, and submit it.
6. Select Duplicate RC.
7. Enter the service details, such as the reason for the duplicate.
8. Update the insurance details.
9. Check the fee panel and pay the fee shown.
10. Upload documents and book an appointment if your state requires them.
11. Keep the receipt. The application then goes to the RTO for processing.

If the mobile number on the vehicle record is old, update it first on Vahan’s mobile update page. S.O. 4353(E) of 16 September 2022 lists the duplicate RC among the services that can be done online with voluntary Aadhaar authentication.

Documents: Form 26 and state extras

You apply in Form 26, which you can download from Parivahan’s forms list or fill online. Parivahan’s page lists:

The affidavit some states ask for states that the RC is lost and has not been impounded. If the RC is torn or worn out, bring or upload what is left of the original.

If you now live in another state

The duplicate is issued by the last registering authority, which may be in the state where you used to live. Because the application is made online on Vahan, you can usually start it from anywhere, as long as the OTP reaches the mobile number on the vehicle record. If an appointment is needed, it is at that RTO, so ask whether documents can be verified without a visit.

If you are also planning to move the vehicle’s registration to your new state, the duplicate RC comes first. The NOC and new registration mark both need a valid RC.

Vehicle with a loan

If the RC shows a hypothecation entry, the financier’s interest is still recorded on the vehicle. Your RTO may ask for the financier’s consent or NOC before issuing a duplicate RC. If the loan is already repaid, consider removing the entry at the same time; see hypothecation.

Duplicate RC fee

Under Rule 81, serial 5, of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, the central fee for a duplicate RC is half of the registration fee for the vehicle type in serial 4. With the ₹200 smart card fee:

Fees exclude GST (G.S.R. 568(E), 2025), and states may add service charges, so the Vahan fee panel shows your exact amount. Check the central fee with the fee calculator.

Digital RC in DigiLocker and mParivahan

While you wait for the duplicate, you can still view your RC details in DigiLocker or the Nexgen mParivahan app, because they are drawn from Vahan. Keep the duplicate RC application receipt with you too. If your RC does not show in either app, check that the registration number and chassis details you entered match the record, and that the vehicle is on Vahan.

If the original RC turns up

Once a duplicate is issued, the duplicate is the certificate to use. If you find the original later, do not keep using both. Ask your RTO what to do with the old one. Keep a copy of the police report with your vehicle papers in case questions come up when you sell the vehicle.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the police report for a lost RC. Parivahan lists a police certificate as a document for theft or loss.
• Applying at the wrong RTO. The application goes to the last registering authority on the record.
• Expired insurance or PUC. Both must be valid when you apply.
• Old mobile number on the record. Update it before you start so the OTP reaches you.
• Unpaid challans on a commercial vehicle. Clear them on the official eChallan portal first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a duplicate RC if mine is lost?

Report the loss to the police, then apply on Vahan under Basic Services › Duplicate RC with Form 26, the police report, insurance and PUC. Pay the fee and book an appointment if your state asks.

What is the duplicate RC fee for a car?

The central fee for a light motor vehicle is ₹300, half the ₹600 registration fee, plus ₹200 for the smart card. GST and state charges are extra.

Does the registration number change with a duplicate RC?

No. A duplicate RC carries the same registration number and details as the original.

Can I drive while my duplicate RC is being processed?

Your vehicle remains registered. You can show the RC details in DigiLocker or mParivahan and keep the application receipt with you.

How long does a duplicate RC take?

It depends on the RTO. Track the application on Vahan using the receipt or application number.

Can someone else apply for my duplicate RC?

The registered owner applies, and the OTP goes to the owner’s registered mobile number. Do not share it with agents or unknown apps.

My RC is damaged but readable. Do I need a duplicate?

If it is torn, mutilated or worn out, Parivahan’s page treats it as a case for a duplicate. A readable RC with minor wear can be used until you choose to replace it.

Related: vehicle registration, hypothecation, forms and fees.