How to get duplicate RC Book online & offline - 2025

The RTO (regional transport office) issues the RC (registration certificate) book of a vehicle as an official document, confirming the vehicle's ownership and registration. Whenever the vehicle is on the road, it is crucial to carry this important document. Thus, it is essential that every individual knows how to get one, in case the original has been lost or damaged. We explain the simple method created by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to apply for a duplicate RC online and offline. If you are looking to sell your car, you may need to apply for a duplicate RC book in order to initiate the RC transfer process.

What is a Duplicate RC Book

In situations where the original registration certificate of the vehicle is misplaced, damaged, stolen or updated owing to changes in personal information, a duplicate RC book can be sought by the owners. The RTO issues the duplicate Registration Certificate book, just as it does the original. It contains all the vital information that was in the original and is valid for official purposes.

When and Why Would You Require It

When a new car is purchased, the RC book issued by the RTO is in the form of a physical copy. It must be carried in the vehicle when the vehicle is on the road. As per the amendments made in the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, vehicle owners can also get their RC books digitalised, which can be saved on platforms like mParivahan and DigiLocker. However, this facility has been created for convenience, and in the case of internet or technical issues, one could have trouble accessing the RC book online.

For these reasons, having the physical RC while driving can come in handy to avoid any conflicts with the traffic personnel. There are various reasons why there could be a problem with the original RC book. Let’s look at a few of them. 

1. Lost or stolen RC book: In case an individual misplaces their Registration Certificate book or it is stolen, a duplicate RC book will be required to enable one to legally use their vehicle on the road. 
2. Damaged or destroyed RC book: Like any important physical document, an RC book must also be kept safe in a proper condition where all its contents are clearly visible. However, unforeseen circumstances may cause damage to an RC book, or it may experience general wear and tear, such as the ink becoming lighter. These reasons make the document less legible.  

It is important to note that if an RC book is lost, stolen, or destroyed, it must be reported to the local police station and a FIR must be obtained which needs to be submitted to the local RTO.

How to Apply for a Duplicate RC Online

1. To apply for a duplicate RC online, go to the Parivahan website’s Vahan services page (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/). 

2. On the bottom left, a pop-up will appear. Select the ’Vehicle Registration’ option and enter the vehicle’s registration number. From the drop-down, select the state in which the vehicle is registered and the local RTO

    

   

    

3. Accept the ‘Terms and Conditions’ and click on proceed.
4. Another pop-up will appear, which lists all the auto-services available online. Click on the ‘Proceed’ button. 
5. The Vahan Citizen Services page will be opened. 
6. Click on ‘Basic Services’ on the top left. In the drop-down, click on ‘RC related services’, and another drop-down will appear. 
7. Click on ‘Apply for Duplicate (RC) Registration Certificate.’ 
8. The online application form will appear, where the vehicle registration number is auto filled. Enter the last five digits of the vehicle chassis number and click on ‘Verify Details’.
9. After this, the last four digits of the registered mobile number will be shown, where one can get the OTP by clicking on ‘Generate OTP’ (one-time password). The OTP will go to the registered mobile number (which is shown earlier). 
10. Upon entering the OTP and clicking ‘Submit’, the next part of the application opens where the reason for applying for the duplicate RC book is required. 
11. For reasons such as loss or theft, the details of the FIR must be added. Please note that the police complaint is the first step to be taken when an RC book is lost or stolen.
12. The same page will contain details of the duplicate Registration Certificate fees to be paid for the issuance of a duplicate Registration Certificate book, and it is from this page that the applicant will be directed to the payment gateway. 
13. After the payment is completed, the applicant can print Form 26, which is required for applying for a new RC book. One can also print the payment receipt. 
14. Once this is done, all documents required for duplicate Registration Certificate must be uploaded online, which includes the Form 26 that is signed by the applicant (a complete list of required documents is given in a later section). With this, the final application is submitted to the RTO for processing.

How to Apply New RC Offline

1. An appointment at the local RTO must be made. 
2. At the RTO, Form 26 is to be filled with all the required details, such as the vehicle registration number, chassis number, reason for applying, and other such important information. This is, then, to be signed by the applicant. 
3. Additionally, there are a few more documents required for a new RC that must be submitted along with the application, like the applicant’s ID card, the PUC certificate, and the insurance certificate, among others. The complete list is given in the next section. 
4. A copy of the FIR that is lodged in the case of an RC book being lost or stolen is also to be submitted, along with Form 26.  
5. The duplicate RC fees for 2 wheelers and 4 wheelers must be paid at the RTO charge desk. 
6. After this, the Form 26, required documents, and payment receipt must be submitted to an RTO officer or counter, where they will be checked. 
7. If everything is correct in the submission, the application will be accepted, and an acknowledgement receipt will be provided to the applicant. 

Documents Required for Issuing Duplicate RC Online

For an application to be approved and the duplicate RC book to be issued, all required documents must be submitted. Here is a list of the documents needed:

1. Copy of the FIR registered or RC lost challan (in the case of a stolen or lost RC book)
2. Original RC book (in case the reason for applying is damage to the original RC book) 
3. Form 26 that is duly filled out and signed by the applicant (the form can be printed when applying online).  
4. A no objection certificate (NOC) from the bank in case the vehicle is purchased on loan. 
5. Pollution under control (PUC) certificate 
6. The vehicle’s valid insurance certificate 
7. The applicant’s ID card, which can be used for signature and address proof (this may be a passport, Aadhar card, driving licence, or any other identification proof issued by the Government of India). 
8. A copy of Form 60 or Form 61 or the applicant’s attested PAN card 
9. Chassis and engine pencil print 
10. An affidavit from a registered notary on a stamp paper, which clarifies that the RC is in fact lost and is not for an impounded vehicle. 
11. Challan clearance proof from the traffic police. In the case of a commercial vehicle, challan clearance from the Enforcement wing or Transport Department  
12. Tax clearance (in case it is a commercial vehicle)  
13. Passport-sized picture of the applicant 

Note: Documents listed from points 5 to 12 may be required in some, but not all, states. It is recommended that all these documents be kept handy when applying for a new RC book.

Documents Required for Issuing a Duplicate Registration Certificate Offline

The documents required by the RTO to accept an application are the same online and offline. However, in the case of offline submission, the fee payment receipt must also be submitted to the RTO officer or at the counter. In the case of online submission, this step needs to be completed in the due process to enable the applicant to reach the stage of uploading documents.

Fee Structure to get a Duplicate Registration Certificate

How to Check the Status of a Duplicate RC Book

• Online: Once the application has been accepted, its status will be reflected on the Parivahan website. 

1. Go to the Application Status page of the Parivahan website (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/ui/appl_status/form_Know_Appl_Status.xhtml) or search for ‘Parivahan application status’ on any search engine 

    

   

    

2. On the application status checking page, the applicant must enter the application number or the vehicle registration number. 
3. After this, the website will show the stage that the application is in.
4. An applicant can also track the progress of the application on the same page.

• RTO: An applicant may visit the RTO where the application was submitted and enquire about the status of the application using their acknowledgement receipt number.

• Phone: Parivahan Sewa has a hotline number (+91-120-4925505) where one can call to inquire about the status of the application.

What is the Processing Time for a New RC

After the application is approved, the duplicate RC book is processed in about two to four weeks. Though there could be instances where some factors could lead to a delay in processing. In this case, an applicant can visit the website to check the status or visit the RTO to enquire about the application status.

What are the Problems in Getting a Duplicate RC

There are some issues in the application or approval process that could lead to either a delay or rejection of a new RC.

• Verification: If the online application status states ‘Application Is Under Scrutiny & Processing at RTO Level’, it means that the applicant will have to get the documents physically verified and will also have to submit their biometrics to complete the process.   
• Incomplete or incorrect information: If the information filled out in the application form (Form 26) has an error, such as details of the vehicle or applicant, then the application will not be accepted. 
• Invalid or incomplete documentation: An applicant may face issues in submitting the application if they do not have all the required documents or if they do not have clearance or approval on any document, such as clearance from traffic police stating there are no pending challans.  
• Technical errors: While the online application method is a convenient route, it could be susceptible to some technical or internet issues that eventually lead to a delay in application submission. 
• FIR delay: In case of a lost or stolen RC book, the vehicle owner should get an FIR lodged immediately. If there is a delay in lodging the FIR, it may cause some delays in the process.  
• Unauthorised agents: At RTOs, there are often unauthorised individuals who claim to be ‘agents’ pretending to help submit an application on behalf of the applicant for a certain amount. It is important to note that this is not a legal method and that it is not advisable to hand over one’s original documents or personal details to an unauthorised individual, as it may pose a safety risk.