How to apply for duplicate RC online in Kerala: the Thuna-first walkthrough

Last updated: September 2026

If your registration certificate is lost or stolen in Kerala, the online application has two phases: first, file a lost-document report on the Kerala Police Thuna portal and save the acknowledgement; then apply for the duplicate RC on parivahan.gov.in using Form 26. The official fee is Rs.150 for a two-wheeler and Rs.300 for a car (non-transport LMV), verified September 2026. Read this once and you can do the whole thing from home, with an RTO visit only if the portal asks for one.

Phase 1: report the lost RC on the Thuna portal

Kerala does not skip this step. Before Parivahan will accept your duplicate RC application, you need an official acknowledgement that the RC was reported lost. Kerala Police handles lost-document reports through its Thuna online portal (the Pol-App mobile app is the other route mentioned by applicants).

1. Open the Kerala Police Thuna portal in your browser, or the Pol-App.
2. Choose the lost-document complaint option.
3. Enter your personal details: name, address, mobile number.
4. Enter the vehicle details, including the registration number, and state clearly that the Registration Certificate (RC book) has been lost.
5. Submit the complaint and download the acknowledgement or certificate the portal issues.
6. Keep a clear PDF or scan of that acknowledgement. It is the document you will upload on Parivahan.

What I could not verify: the exact current menu wording on the Thuna portal, because I could not open the portal itself while researching. Search for "Thuna Kerala Police lost document" and look for the official keralapolice.gov.in site. If your RC is damaged rather than lost, you do not need the police report; Form 26 asks you to enclose the soiled, torn or mutilated certificate instead.

Phase 2: get your documents ready

Scan everything clearly before you start. Poor-quality uploads are one of the top reasons applications get held up.

• Form 26: the application for a duplicate certificate of registration (this is filled on the portal itself)
• The Thuna lost-document acknowledgement or certificate
• Aadhaar card, with the mobile number linked to it switched on for OTP
• Valid motor insurance certificate
• Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
• Last 5 digits of the chassis number (the portal asks for these during verification)
• Affidavit stating the RC is lost and not impounded, if the portal asks for one
• Financier NOC or loan closure papers, if the vehicle is still under hypothecation

Two things worth checking before you begin: clear any pending traffic challans (see the e-challan payment steps), and renew insurance or PUC if they have lapsed, because the RTO checks both during processing.

Phase 3: apply on Parivahan, step by step

1. Go to parivahan.gov.in, open Online Services, then Vehicle Related Services.
2. Select Kerala as the state and enter your vehicle registration number.
3. Select the RTO where the vehicle is registered and proceed.
4. From the service menu, choose Apply for Duplicate RC.
5. Verify the vehicle details the portal shows you, including entering the last 5 digits of the chassis number.
6. Fill in Form 26 online and select the reason for the application (lost, stolen, damaged, and so on).
7. Upload the scanned documents: the Thuna acknowledgement, Aadhaar, insurance, PUC, and address proof.
8. Complete the Aadhaar OTP verification on your linked mobile number.
9. Pay the official fee online by UPI, debit or credit card, or net banking.
10. Submit the application. The portal generates an acknowledgement with an application number. Download it and keep it safe.

Online or RTO visit? The whole flow above is online. You only need to visit the RTO in person if the portal asks for physical verification of originals, which is more common with hypothecated vehicles or when records do not match. Our duplicate RC service page summarises the same steps in brief.

The official fee

Parivahan's Fees and User Charges page (checked September 2026) sets the duplicate RC fee at half the registration fee for each vehicle class, under Rule 53(2) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules:

Two add-ons: an extra Rs.200 applies if the RC is a smart card type (Form 23A), and all fees are exclusive of GST. Some applicants pay assisted-service providers to handle the filing; treat any price above this table as a service charge and ask for an itemised quote. The full class-by-class table is in our duplicate RC fees post.

Track the application after submission

1. Go back to parivahan.gov.in and open the application status option.
2. Enter the application number from your acknowledgement (or the registration number, if the option is offered).
3. Check the current stage of the application and save or download any acknowledgement the portal shows.

The RTO verifies your application and documents after submission. If something is missing or needs correction, you are usually contacted on the registered mobile number or email, so keep them active until the duplicate arrives.

Why duplicate RC applications get rejected

From what applicants report, most rejections come down to avoidable mistakes:

• Incorrect vehicle details or owner information that does not match RTO records
• Unclear or illegible document scans
• Expired insurance or missing PUC at the time of application
• Applying before the Thuna lost-document acknowledgement is in hand

Double-check every field before payment. A re-application costs you another round of the official fee.

What I could not verify

Two things, stated plainly: I could not find an official current timeline for how long a duplicate RC takes in Kerala, so I will not quote one; and I could not confirm whether every Kerala RTO processes this fully online or asks some applicants to bring originals. The Parivahan portal tells you during the flow whether a visit is needed. If you need a current timeline, call your RTO or check the application status page.

FAQs

Can I apply for duplicate RC fully online in Kerala?

Yes. The Thuna lost-document report and the Parivahan application are both online. An RTO visit is only needed if the portal asks for physical verification of originals.

Is the Thuna police report mandatory?

For lost or stolen RCs, yes in practice: the police acknowledgement is the document Parivahan expects you to upload. For a damaged RC you already hold, the damaged original replaces the report.

Can I drive while waiting for the duplicate RC?

A digitally signed RC in DigiLocker or the mParivahan app is accepted during traffic checks, so keep the digital copy handy while the duplicate is processed.

Can I sell the vehicle with a duplicate RC?

Yes, a duplicate RC is fully valid for transfer. See the ownership transfer steps for what the buyer and seller file next.

Fees and rules change without notice. Verify all fees and rules on parivahan.gov.in before applying.