Complexation between hexavalent neptunium and nitrate was studied in aqueous nitric acid solution using optical absorption, vibrational and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Distributions of aqueous [NpO2](2+), [NpO2(NO3)](+) and [NpO2(NO3)2] species were obtained as a function of nitric acid concentration between 0 and 14 M. The crystal structure of [NpO2(NO3)2(H2O)2]·H2O was determined.