Iowa Title & Registration Guide

Iowa DOT and County Treasurers

Iowa DOT establishes the statewide title, registration, plate, fee, dealer and investigation rules. County Treasurers process ordinary vehicle, trailer, camper and manufactured-home title and registration transactions and receive the related checks.

Iowa DNR and County Recorders

County Recorders administer DNR vessel, OHV and snowmobile title, registration and lien transactions through the state recreational vehicle system.

Iowa Secretary of State

The Secretary of State accepts UCC filings for qualifying non-titled collateral. A UCC filing should not replace a certificate-of-title lien for a unit titled by Iowa DOT or DNR.

Core calculator inputs

• Unit and transaction type.
• County and exact municipality/address when local sales tax applies.
• Iowa list price, model year, unladen weight and registered gross weight.
• Purchase price, qualifying trade, taxable additions and tax paid elsewhere.
• Registration months, plate program, fuel type, lien count and filing channel.

Controlled review items

• Exact-address local option sales tax.
• Current Iowa statutory list price for passenger registration.
• IRP/apportioned and specialized commercial facts.
• County, card, kiosk, mailing and service-provider charges.
• Specialty-plate, dealer, manufactured-home and unusual-title variables.

New unit

Submit the original manufacturer’s statement or certificate of origin, the purchase agreement or bill of sale, applicable odometer and damage disclosures, and Form 411007.

Used unit

Submit the original assigned title. The assignment, buyer names, signatures, odometer statement and lien information must be complete and legible.

Non-title jurisdiction

Use the last registration certificate and any additional ownership evidence required by the County Treasurer or Iowa DOT.

Government surplus

Use SF97-1, IRS Form 2435 or the applicable government certificate. Wheeled military vehicles can require Form 411187.

Imported vehicle

Preserve foreign ownership, CBP 7501, EPA 3520-1, NHTSA HS-7 or federal compliance-label evidence, and certified translations.

Manufactured home

One Iowa title is issued regardless of the number of sections. File through the County Treasurer where the home is located.

Bonded title

When ownership evidence is unavailable, data is incorrect, a qualifying older junked vehicle is involved, or an unreleased lien prevents ordinary titling, Iowa may require a bond equal to 1½ times the current value. Form 411008 is completed through the online bonded-title process.

Low-value older vehicle

A vehicle valued at $1,000 or less and at least 12 model years old may qualify for title without a bond only after departmental approval.

Salvage title

A qualifying vehicle damaged beyond 70% of fair market value or acquired by an insurer after a damage or theft settlement can require a $25 salvage title within 30 days. Trailers and vehicles under the stated low-value exception are treated differently.

Rebuilt salvage

Complete the salvage-theft examination and preserve receipts, component records, photographs and damage documentation. The current examination fee is $53 unless the heavy-vehicle exception applies.

Junking certificate

File the junking certificate within 30 days. Only the original applicant can request reinstatement of the first certificate, generally within 14 days.

Brands and designations

Iowa carries forward applicable out-of-state brands and can show fire, flood, manufacturer/lemon buyback, prior salvage, rebuilt, replacement, salvage, theft and vandalism designations.

Stolen-vehicle review

Law enforcement theft reporting and NMVTIS/NCIC data can suspend transfer until the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection approves the recovered-vehicle record.

Assigned VIN/HIN

BIIP or an authorized inspection is required when the identification number is missing, altered or destroyed, or for specially constructed, reconstructed, street-rod, replica, cab/frame-change or homebuilt units.

Vehicle title lien

Enter the exact lienholder legal name, complete address, FEIN/SSN or ELT identifier on Form 411007. The current recording fee is $20 per security interest.

DNR lien

Record a vessel, OHV or snowmobile security interest on DNR Form 542-8067. The current title and lien charges are each $13.50.

Perfection date

Perfection generally occurs when the required application and documents are delivered to the County Treasurer or department. A foreign-title carryover can preserve the earlier notation date.

ELT

Iowa exchanges lien and title data electronically. A paper title is not produced while an electronic lien remains active.

Lien release

Liens do not automatically expire. After a satisfied obligation and written request, the lienholder generally must provide the release within 15 days; statutory consequences can apply to noncompliance.

Security agreement

Submit all pages of the security agreement. A properly completed UCC1 may be accepted in place of the contract for the document package, but it does not replace title-lien perfection for titled collateral.

Online filing

$5 per accepted filing through Fast Track Filing.

Paper, 1–2 pages

$10 per filing.

Paper, 3+ pages

$20 per filing.

Ordinary purchase

Apply within 30 days using the assigned ownership document, Form 411007, bill of sale, tax/FNR information, odometer disclosure, damage disclosure and lien information.

New Iowa resident

Title and register within 30 days even when prior-state plates remain valid. Surrender the out-of-state title and plates as required.

Trade credit

Credit is valid only when the traded and acquired units are titled and registered in the same name and the transaction otherwise qualifies. Lease-to-purchase and purchase-to-lease trades do not qualify.

Plate transfer

Iowa plates remain with the owner. When a qualifying replacement vehicle is titled within six months, unused registration credit may apply. Transfer or surrender the plate within the prescribed period.

Estate or court order

Use the probate, inheritance, affidavit or court-order route that matches the ownership facts. Clear active liens before transfer.

Repossession

Use the Iowa repossession title documents and evidence of the perfected security interest. Preserve notices, the security agreement and disposition records.

Passenger / MPV formula

Model ages 1–7: current Iowa list price × 1% plus $0.40 for each 100 pounds or fraction of unladen weight. Ages 8–9 use 0.75%; ages 10–11 use 0.50%; age 12 and older is generally $50. The age 8–11 minimum is $50.

Qualifying light truck

A 2010-or-newer truck with unladen weight not over 10,000 pounds can use the passenger value-and-weight formula. Other trucks use the declared-gross-weight schedule.

Motorcycles and mopeds

Motorcycles five model years old or newer are $20; older motorcycles are $10. Mopeds are $7. Electric motorcycle and special-plate amounts are additional.

Trailers

Trailers at 2,000 pounds empty weight or less are $20 and generally title-exempt. Heavier trailers are $30 and generally titled. Travel trailers use $0.30 per exterior square foot with the statutory age reduction.

Motor homes

Class A fees depend on statutory list-price band and age. Classes B and C, converted buses and motorsports RVs use separate schedules.

Fuel supplements

Qualifying battery-electric vehicles add $130 annually; plug-in hybrids add $65; electric motorcycles add $9.

Two-plate classes

Passenger and ordinary truck classes generally receive two plates.

One-plate classes

Trailers, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, autocycles, semitrailers and truck tractors generally receive one plate.

Owner retention

Plates remain with the owner and must be transferred or surrendered when the statutory requirements are met. Form 411122 supports cancellation.

Specialty program control

Exact specialty and military plate amounts must be selected from the current plate-specific schedule. Do not assume the typical add-on applies to every plate.

Fee for New Registration

For a qualifying registered highway vehicle, the FNR is $10 plus 5% of the qualifying purchase or lease price. It is imposed in lieu of ordinary Iowa sales tax on that transaction.

Sales and use tax route

Title-only property, manufactured homes, vessels, OHVs, snowmobiles, aircraft and other non-FNR property can be subject to the 6% state sales/use tax plus exact-address local option sales tax when legally applicable.

Local option sales tax

The standard local maximum is 1%, but the exact delivery address controls. Iowa does not impose a local option use tax. The calculator requires a verified rate rather than guessing.

Trade credit

Subtract only a qualifying same-name trade. The bill of sale must identify the trade’s year, make, model, VIN and allowed value. Proof of trade is required.

Other-state credit

Credit can be allowed for legally imposed tax paid to another state. Preserve the official receipt and do not reduce Iowa tax below zero.

Manufactured-home base

A manufactured home sold as tangible personal property is generally taxed at 6% on 20% of the purchase price, subject to the transaction’s current legal classification.

Legacy light-truck schedule

A documented pre-2009 truck continuously owned and registered by the same owner can qualify for the separate legacy schedule. Do not select it without proof.

IRP

Apportioned vehicles may be titled through Iowa DOT or an authorized County Treasurer. Registration requires current fleet, distance, jurisdiction, weight and ownership/lease data.

Farm eligibility

Use the farm schedule only when the unit and operation meet Iowa’s statutory farm-use requirements. Misuse can create fees and penalties.

Safety and insurance

Commercial vehicles require annual inspection by a qualified inspector, and the operator must maintain the financial-responsibility limits applicable to weight, passengers and cargo.

Documented vessel

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $22.25; renewal is $30.65.

Personal watercraft

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $35.65; renewal is $50.65.

Nonmotor vessel

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $13.65; renewal is $17.65.

Motor/sail under 16 ft

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $20.65; renewal is $28.15.

16 to under 26 ft

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $29.65; renewal is $41.65.

26 to under 40 ft

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $55.65; renewal is $80.65.

40 ft and over

Current-cycle new/reactivate registration is $105.65; renewal is $155.65.

Additional charges

Transfer $4.50; title $13.50; lien $13.50; postage $2 per item; late/lapsed registration $5.

Ownership defects

Use the DNR bonded-title and surety-bond forms when ownership evidence is unavailable. That process does not itself release an existing lien.

OHV / ATV / ORV

Current new or renewal registration is $18.50; nonresident permit $18.50; duplicate registration $8.50; title and lien are each $13.50.

Snowmobile

Resident registration base is $30 plus current writing or administrative charges. The nonresident permit base is $15. Title and lien use the DNR schedule.

Legacy exemptions

OHVs registered before January 2000 and snowmobiles registered before January 1988 can retain exemption while ownership remains unchanged.

Agricultural use

Qualifying OHVs used exclusively in agricultural production can qualify for tax exemption. Preserve the exemption certificate and actual-use evidence.

Untitled or unregistered unit

DNR Form 542-8074 requires verification by an Iowa conservation officer, police officer, sheriff or state patrol officer when the unit has not been previously titled or registered.

Payment

Make the DNR title, registration and lien check payable to the County Recorder processing the transaction—not the County Treasurer.

One title

Iowa issues one title for a manufactured home regardless of the number of sections. File through the County Treasurer where the home is located.

Tax clearance

Form 411129 can be required before transfer. Confirm current county tax status before accepting original ownership documents.

Real-estate conversion

When the home is permanently affixed and converted to real estate, title can be surrendered for cancellation. Coordinate county recording, title surrender, tax clearance, mortgage and fixture-filing treatment.

Affidavit in lieu of surrender

Form 411186 can support surrender when an Iowa title was never issued or was previously surrendered, subject to the county’s review.

Park/community tax

Manufactured homes in a park or community can use the county’s per-square-foot property-tax method. Real-property sites use the local assessor and millage route.

Special mobile equipment

Implements of husbandry and qualifying special mobile equipment can be title or registration exempt. Confirm on-road use, ownership and collateral classification before choosing UCC treatment.

Long-term lease

Use Form 411179 rather than Form 411007. The FNR is generally $10 plus 5% of the qualifying lease price, using Worksheet 35-050 or the move-in worksheet when applicable.

Leased IRP equipment

Qualifying trucks, tractors, semitrailers and trailers registered at 13 tons or more with at least 25% out-of-state mileage can qualify for the statutory FNR exemption.

Rental tax

Short-term automobile rentals can carry Iowa sales/use tax and the additional 5% automobile rental tax. Longer rentals and specified heavy or driver-provided rentals can use different treatment.

Lease termination

Form 411107 can document sale and delivery of title after a lease expires or terminates.

Dealer licensing

Current principal motor-vehicle dealer and recycler licenses are $70 for two years; towable-RV dealer license is $35; leasing license is $30. Separate locations and extension lots can require additional credentials.

Dealer bond

The current motor-vehicle dealer surety bond is $75,000 unless the specific same-name/same-location exception applies.

MCO / title

Original, assigned to the buyer, with handwritten buyer and seller names and signatures in blue or black ink. Complete any notary section that appears.

Secure power of attorney

For reassignment, Iowa accepts the secure DOT-controlled POA. Generic, auction, dealer-drafted and out-of-state POAs are not substitutes. Other POA use must be original and notarized.

Odometer

Submit the original statement signed by buyer and seller with each signer’s hand-printed name. Model year 2010 or older, no-odometer units and trucks over 16,000 lb GVWR generally use federal/Iowa exemptions.

Bill of sale

Required for every transfer to establish purchase price. It must be itemized and signed, with trade year, make, model, VIN and value.

Proof of trade

Provide the registration or trade title. State whether the active plate is transferring or new plates are requested.

Driver license

Required for each individual buyer. For an out-of-state credential, provide the SSN and full legal name. A business buyer uses its organizational identification.

Security agreement

Submit every page. A UCC1 can be accepted in lieu of the contract for the packet when appropriate, but title-lien rules still govern titled collateral.

VIN/HIN and safety inspection

Homebuilt, reconstructed, street-rod, replica, VIN-deficient and homebuilt-trailer applications can require BIIP or authorized physical inspection. Commercial vehicles require annual safety inspection.

Electronic signatures

Qualifying forms can be electronically signed when the signature process is legally sufficient. A physical title still requires an ink signature. Preserve the signature confirmation or audit evidence.

Electronic notarization

Iowa permits electronic notarization when the notary is physically present and all statutory controls are met.

Insurance

Carry proof of financial responsibility. Commercial and for-hire limits vary by weight, passengers and cargo, with higher limits for hazardous materials, oil, passengers and taxis.

Nonresidents

New residents must surrender out-of-state plates and complete Iowa title/registration within 30 days. Reciprocity and temporary operation rules are unit-specific.

Military vehicles

Wheeled military vehicles lacking an FMVSS manufacturer label can require Form 411187 and supporting ownership/compliance evidence.

Records and privacy

Iowa records are indexed by VIN, plate, registration, title and name. Use the authorized record-request process and protect driver, tax and lienholder identifiers.