Iowa
Title Fee
$35.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.0%
Other Tax Rate
Who must title a vehicle in Iowa?
All motor vehicles, trailers, campers, motorcycles, mopeds, OHVs, snowmobiles, vessels 17 feet and longer, and any vessel with a lien must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: Trailers ≤2,000 lbs. empty, certain older OHVs/snowmobiles, documented vessels, canoes, kayaks, inflatable vessels, implements of husbandry, and special mobile equipment.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), Vehicle Services Division; for most vehicles, apply at any County Treasurer.
Title fee: $35.00; $13.50 for vessels/OHVs/snowmobiles (via County Recorder).
Lien recording: $20.00.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title.
Non-title states: Last registration certificate.
Government surplus: SF97-1 or IRS Form 2435.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign docs, EPA 3520-1, NHTSA HS-7, CBP 7501, manufacturer’s label for FMVSS, bill of sale.
Bill of sale required for all transfers (now included on Iowa titles).
How are special titles or brands handled?
Bonded titles: Required if seller’s title is unavailable, data is incorrect, vehicle was junked and is 25+ years old, or there is an unreleased lien; bond = 1.5x value, valid 3 years.
Brands: Fire, Flood, Lemon Buy Back, Prior Salvage, Rebuilt, Replacement, Salvage, Theft, Vandalism, and odometer brands. Out-of-state brands are carried forward.
Salvage: Required for vehicles with damage >70% of value or insurer settlement; $25.00 fee.
Rebuilt: Requires salvage title, repairs, law enforcement inspection, Affidavit of Repairs, $53.00 exam fee.
Junk: Application for Junking Certificate within 30 days; title may be reinstated within 14 days by original holder.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Application for Replacement Title (411033) to County Treasurer; $35.00 fee, 5-day wait unless original surrendered.
Affidavit of Correction (411219) for errors; Certification of Correction (411097) for odometer discrepancies.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required for homebuilt vehicles or as requested.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, for most forms and odometer statements (not for physical titles).
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax: 6.0% state rate + local option (on vehicles subject only to titling, manufactured homes, OHVs, snowmobiles, vessels, and aircraft).
Fee for New Registration: $10.00 + 5.0% of purchase/lease price for vehicles subject to registration (in lieu of sales tax).
Trade-in credit: Allowed if owner is the same on traded and new vehicle.
Credit for taxes paid to another state: Allowed.
Exemptions: Family gifts, Native American, IRP vehicles, new residents (if previously registered elsewhere), certain farm machinery, and more.
Other taxes/fees:
Personal Property Tax: For manufactured homes not in parks/communities; $0.20/sq ft for those in parks/communities.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Lien info entered on title application; $20.00 fee.
Up to three liens may be shown on title.
Lien is perfected as of delivery date.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder cancels security interest on title or with notarized release; must notify County Treasurer.
Lien release required within 15 days of written request ($25.00 penalty if not).
Assignment: Secured party notes “Assigned to [assignee]” on title, signs, and dates; new Application for Notation of Security Interest (411046) required.
How does repossession work in Iowa?
Lienholder must give debtor written notice of right to cure default before repossession.
20 days after notice, repossession may occur if peaceful.
Lienholder may transfer vehicle to new purchaser without a “repo title”; new purchaser must title in their name.
Submit Affidavit of Foreclosure Sale (411067) with title application.
Out-of-state repos: Provide foreign title and foreclosure/repossession form.
Other notes:
Artisan/storage liens require public notice and sale; surplus paid to owner.
ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) program:
Optional for lenders; ELT records released electronically.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
6310 SE Convenience Boulevard, Ankeny, IA 50021
PO Box 9278, Des Moines, IA 50306-9278
515.237.3110
Enforcement Agency:
Iowa Department of Transportation, Vehicle Services6310 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021
PO Box 9278, Des Moines, IA 50306-9278
515.237.3110 | vscusto@iowadot.us
Iowa DOT Vehicle Services
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Iowa State Patrol, Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit, 215 E 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50319, 515.725.6090
Key Regulations:
DOT and County Treasurers manage titling, registration, tax collection, liens, and repossession.
Insurance required: $20,000/$40,000/$15,000 minimum; higher for commercial/for-hire.
Commercial vehicles require annual safety inspection; special vehicles require physical inspection.
Two plates issued (one for trailers, motorcycles, etc.); plates must be surrendered if not transferred within 30 days.
Title records kept 3 years after cancellation; registration records permanent.
Fees and Forms
Below is the checklist for all Iowa title transactions.
□ Auto Sale
Iowa Title Application (Form 411007)
Application for Notation of Security Interest (Form 411046)
□ ORV/Snowmobile Sale
Iowa OHV Application (DNR Form 542-8067) registered with the Department of Natural Resources through the County Recorder
□ Vessel Sale
Iowa Vessel Application (DNR Form 542-8067) submitted to the County Recorder
□ An Affidavit for Unregistered or Untitled OHVs, Snowmobiles or Vessels (DNR 542-8074) completed by an Iowa conservation officer, police officer, sheriff, or state patrol officer is required if vehicle/vessel has not been previously titled or registered.
□ Surrender Title/MCO
□ Odometer Statement
MUST provide the hand-printed names of all individuals who signed the odometer statement
Seller ___________________________ - agent signing on behalf of dealership
Buyer(s) __________________________________________
□ POA (if applicable), and other title attachments
MUST be reassigned to the buyer(s); Names and signatures on all assignments MUST be handwritten in blue or black ink
If any reassignment is signed by POA (seller or buyer), IA will only accept a secure, DOT-controlled POA
Generic, auction, dealer-drafted, or out-of-state limited POAs are not acceptable
When a secure POA is not available, the reassignment must be signed directly by the individual(s) listed. No exceptions
MUST be notarized, if a notary section is present
Odometer reading errors cannot be corrected by affidavit; A replacement title will be required
If vehicle is currently on an IL title:
The first assignment on the face of the title MUST be completed. If left blank, an Affidavit of Correction may be accepted, though a duplicate/dealer title may be required at the DMV’s discretion
If concurrent reassignments are signed using a secure POA, the original seller, new buyer, and dealer must all be listed on the same Illinois Secure POA
Iowa DMV requires the dealership agent’s name for any agent who signs the back of the MCO, title, or odometer statement — No exceptions
Please hand-print the agent’s name here:_______________________________________
□ Purchase/Sales/Buyer's Agreement OR Lease Agreement
□ Driver's License for all customers
Not required if registering in a business name
Date of birth MUST be legible:___________________
Required for each buyer listed on the paperwork
□ Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108)
Not required on MCO - with less than 1000 miles OR vehicles more than seven model years old
If registering to Dallas or Polk county form CANNOT be signed by POA for buyer
□ SSN or EIN for all owners
_________________________
_________________________
□ Check made payable to "County Name" County Treasurer for the following. Use the ARTS Calculator to get fees:
Title Fee: $35.00 (Auto/Cycle)$13.50 (OHV/Vessel)
Lien Fee: $20.00 (Auto/Cycle)$13.50 (OHV/Vessel)
Registration: $__________ Penalties are 5% of the Registration Fee 30 days from purchase date and increase by 5% every 30 days (ie 10% after 60 days, 15% after 90 days etc.). IA registration fees are prorated based on the customer's registration/birth month
For example, if a vehicle was purchased in February, and the driver's registration month is September, enter 8 for registration months for the most accurate fees
EV Units have a $130.00 annual EV/PHEV Fee (prorated)
Sales Tax: + $__________ (5% + $10.00 + local tax options)
Taxable value: (Base Price + Additions + Delivery Fees - Discounts - Manufacturer Rebate - Trade In Amount - Tax Credit)) - Taxes Paid to Dealer State + $10.00
Note: Trade credit valid ONLY if both vehicles are titled and registered in the same name
Total: = $__________
□ ILTS Fee: $65.00