Lost your vehicle registration paper? Follow our 2026 step-by-step guide to recover a physical Smart Card from your local RTO. Before applying on the Parivahan Sewa Portal (परिवहन सेवा), make sure to check your active RC status or view all available registration tools in the unified RC services hub.
If your RC is lost or stolen, you must immediately file a complaint at the local police station or via their online portal. The RTO will not process a duplicate RC application without a valid FIR/NCR number.
Visit the Vahan portal, enter your vehicle registration number, and select 'Apply for Duplicate RC'.
Select the reason (Lost, Stolen, or Damaged). Enter the Police Report Number and Date if applicable.
Pay the service fee online. Download the generated Form 26. In most states, you must visit the RTO to submit the physical file and perform an inspection if requested.
If your RC was stolen and you cannot file an e-FIR online, you must visit your local police station and then submit the physical report to your RTO.
Find your RTO Code & Office Details ➔Yes, if your RC is lost or stolen, you must file a First Information Report (FIR) or a Lost Property Report at the nearest police station. The report number is required for the RTO application.
Form 26 is the official application for the issue of a duplicate Certificate of Registration. It must be submitted in duplicate to the RTO.
The fee is typically the same as the initial registration fee (approx. ₹300 for bikes and ₹600 for cars), plus a smart card fee of ₹200.
Yes, digital copies of the RC on DigiLocker or mParivahan are legally valid under the IT Act. However, you should apply for a duplicate physical card if yours is lost or damaged.