Duplicate RC Online: Apply for Duplicate Vehicle Registration Certificate on Vahan
A duplicate Registration Certificate (RC) can be obtained when the original vehicle RC has been lost, destroyed, mutilated, torn or otherwise becomes unusable. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) provides vehicle-related services through the Vahan portal, subject to the services available for the particular vehicle and registering authority.
Open Official Vahan Vehicle Services Official Parivahan Duplicate RC Guide
What Is a Duplicate Vehicle RC?
A Registration Certificate is the principal registration document for a registered motor vehicle. If the original RC is lost, destroyed, mutilated, torn or used-up, the registered owner may apply for a duplicate RC.
The procedure is governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. In particular, Rule 53 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules deals with the issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration.
Law Governing Duplicate RC
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Section 41 | Provides the statutory framework concerning registration of motor vehicles. |
| Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 - Rule 53 | Provides the procedure for issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration. |
| Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 - Rule 81 | Provides the applicable fee framework for registration-related services, including duplicate RC. |
| Form 26 | Application form prescribed for issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration. |
Who Can Apply for Duplicate RC?
The registered owner of a motor vehicle can apply for a duplicate Certificate of Registration when the original RC has been lost, destroyed, mutilated, torn or otherwise rendered unusable.
If the RC has been lost or destroyed, the official Parivahan guidance requires the loss or destruction to be reported to the police station having jurisdiction and the fact to be intimated to the registering authority.
Documents Required for Duplicate RC
The documents required may vary according to the State, RTO and vehicle. Commonly required documents include:
- Application in Form 26.
- Police certificate or copy of police complaint in case of loss or theft.
- Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, where applicable.
- Valid motor vehicle insurance certificate.
- Proof of address, where required.
- Chassis and engine number pencil print, where required.
- Owner's signature identification, where required.
- Affidavit regarding loss of the original RC, where required by the concerned authority.
- Financier's NOC or applicable consent where the vehicle is subject to hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation requirements.
- Additional documents required by the concerned State Transport Department or RTO.
How to Apply for Duplicate Vehicle RC Online
Visit the official Vahan vehicle services portal: Vahan Vehicle Services .
If you already have a Vahan user account, log in using your registered mobile number and password. New users may complete the registration process through the portal.
Select the vehicle-related service for the applicable vehicle and choose Duplicate RC / Issue of Duplicate RC, as displayed by the current Vahan interface.
Enter the vehicle registration number and the required vehicle identification details. Vahan may require the last digits of the chassis number and OTP verification.
Generate the OTP and enter the OTP received on the mobile number registered with the vehicle/Vahan records, wherever required.
Select the Duplicate RC service from the available vehicle-related services and proceed with the application.
Provide the reason for requesting the duplicate RC and complete the information requested by the portal.
Where requested, enter or update the vehicle insurance information and submit the details.
Use the document management/upload facility to submit Form 26 and other documents required for the transaction. The exact documents and file requirements are determined by the portal and the concerned authority.
Some transactions may require an appointment or physical verification. If the portal provides an appointment option, select an available date and complete the booking.
Open the fee/payment section, verify the amount shown by the portal, select the available payment gateway and complete the online payment.
After successful payment, download or print the receipt/application acknowledgement. If the transaction requires physical verification, visit the concerned RTO with the original documents and receipt as instructed by the portal.
Duplicate RC Fees
The applicable fee is governed by Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The prescribed fee for issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration is generally stated as half of the applicable fee specified for issue/renewal of the Certificate of Registration.
The amount payable in an actual online transaction may also depend on applicable State provisions, additional charges, smart-card or other service charges and the amount displayed by the Vahan system.
Is Police Complaint Necessary for a Lost RC?
Yes. Where the Certificate of Registration has been lost or destroyed, Rule 53 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules requires the owner to report the loss or destruction to the police station having jurisdiction and intimate the registering authority.
The official Parivahan duplicate RC guidance also lists a police certificate in cases of theft/loss among the documents that may be required.
Duplicate RC for a Vehicle Under Hypothecation
If the vehicle is subject to a hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement, additional requirements may apply. Form 26 specifically contains provisions dealing with vehicles held under such arrangements.
The applicant should therefore check the financier/hypothecation details and comply with any NOC or consent requirement shown by the Vahan transaction or the registering authority.
Do You Always Have to Visit the RTO?
Not necessarily. The Vahan platform supports online processing for several vehicle services, including Duplicate RC. However, whether a particular Duplicate RC transaction is fully online or requires appointment, document verification or physical attendance depends on the service configuration, State and registering authority.
Follow the instructions generated by the Vahan system after submission rather than assuming that every Duplicate RC application is completely faceless.
What Happens After Online Submission?
- The application is submitted through the Vahan system.
- Required documents are uploaded and/or submitted as instructed.
- The applicable fee is paid online.
- The application may be scrutinised or verified by the registering authority.
- Where required, the applicant may be asked to attend the RTO with original documents.
- After approval and completion of the required process, the duplicate RC is issued through the applicable system/process.
Important Points Before Applying
- Use the official Vahan/Parivahan portal for the application.
- Keep the vehicle registration number and chassis details available.
- Make sure the mobile number linked with the vehicle records is accessible for OTP verification where required.
- Report a lost or destroyed RC to the police as required.
- Keep insurance and PUC documents available where applicable.
- Check whether the vehicle has an active hypothecation or other encumbrance.
- Upload clear and legible documents in the format and size accepted by the portal.
- Save the application number, payment receipt and acknowledgement.
- Check the applicable fee displayed by Vahan before payment.
- Follow any additional instructions issued by the concerned RTO.
Official Links for Duplicate RC
- Vahan Vehicle Services - Official Portal
- Parivahan - Duplicate RC Guidelines
- Form 26 - Application for Duplicate Certificate of Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a duplicate RC online?
Yes. Duplicate RC is available as a vehicle-related service through the Vahan platform. Online availability and the exact process may depend on the vehicle, State and registering authority.
Which form is used for a duplicate RC?
Form 26 is the prescribed application form for issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration under Rule 53 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
What should I do if my RC is lost?
Report the loss to the police station having jurisdiction and intimate the registering authority as required. You can then proceed with the duplicate RC application through the applicable Vahan/RTO process.
How much does a duplicate RC cost?
Rule 81 provides the fee framework and states that the fee for issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration is half of the applicable registration fee referred to in the rule. The final amount payable should be checked on the official Vahan portal.
Will I need to visit the RTO?
Some applications may be processed online, while others may require appointment, document verification or physical attendance. Follow the instructions generated for your particular Vahan transaction.
Can I apply if the vehicle has a loan or hypothecation?
Yes, but additional requirements may apply where the vehicle is under hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation. Check the Vahan transaction and the requirements of the concerned financier and registering authority.
Disclaimer
This page is provided for general informational purposes. Vahan and Parivahan services, document requirements, fees, appointment rules and online availability may change or vary by State, RTO and vehicle category. Applicants should verify the current requirements, fee and transaction instructions on the official Government of India Parivahan/Vahan portal before submitting an application.