Vehicle FAQs

When is a title required for a vehicle?

All motor vehicles, mobile homes, trailers, travel trailers and semi-trailers with an empty weight more than 2,000 lbs. must have a certificate of title indicating ownership.

Homemade, regular and semi-trailers with an empty weight of 2,000 lbs. or less must be registered. These items do not require a title.

How do I apply for a lost or replacement title?

Follow these steps to request a replacement title.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

How do you transfer a vehicle title after the death of the owner?

Refer to the Iowa Department of Transportation website for information.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

I purchased a vehicle with a salvage title. How do I obtain a regular title?

Refer to the Iowa Department of Transportation website for information.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

My vehicle is at the end of life. Do I need a junking certificate?

A junking certificate is the death certificate for a vehicle. A junking certificate allows the owner to transfer ownership of the vehicle to another entity/individual by assigning the junking certificate.

In some cases, owners of a vehicle can dispose of a vehicle to a licensed recycler for scrap or junk without a certificate of title or a junking certificate. These situations include:

• The motor vehicle is twelve model years old or older, AND
• The motor vehicle is sold to the vehicle recycler for less than $1,000

I want to sell my vehicle for junk/scrap. How do I obtain a junking certificate?

A junking certificate is only issued on a vehicle with a title. If the vehicle is sold as junk or for scrap, the purchaser must surrender the title to the county treasurer in their county of residence within 30 days and apply for a junking certificate.

If the owner junks or dismantles a vehicle, they must:

• Surrender the title and registration.
• Surrender the license plates (unless the plates are being transferred to a replacement vehicle) to the treasurer’s office.
• Apply for a junking certificate using the Application for Junking Certificate, form 411123.
• Ensure the certificate is signed by all owners listed on the title.
• Submit the completed form to the treasurer’s office. No fee is required.
  • Mail to Polk County Treasurer’s Office, 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309, OR
  • Secure all required documents in an envelope and place in the drop box located at the south entrance of the Polk County Administration Building, 111 Court Avenue.
  • To complete the transaction in person, make an appointment.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

I lost my renewal notice and do not have my web PIN. How can I renew my registration online?

If you do not have access to your web PIN, use the Audit Number included on the bottom left portion of the current vehicle registration to renew online. Click here to view Example Vehicle Registration.

If you do not have your current vehicle registration, email your request to the Polk County Treasurer’s Office, vehicle@countypolkiowa.gov. Include your driver’s license number to confirm your identity. Your web PIN will be emailed to you.

How much will my registration cost?

To estimate a registration fee, refer to Registration Fees by Vehicle Type. Registration fees are determined by the Iowa Legislature and listed in the Iowa Code. Several factors are considered including vehicle type, manufacture’s list price, vehicle age, and vehicle's weight.

What happens if the previous owner didn’t pay registration renewal fees by the due date?

If the renewal is not paid, all past fees will be required when the registration is renewed. This also applies to a sold vehicle. If the current owner has not paid all registration fees, the new owner will be required to when it is registered.

Be aware when buying a used vehicle, you may be responsible for late/unpaid vehicle registration fees. Call the Polk County Treasurer’s Office to ensure all fees are paid before purchasing a vehicle.

Is a portion of my vehicle registration fee tax deductible?

If you itemize deductions on your state of Iowa personal income taxes, a portion of your vehicle registration fee may be tax deductible. Review the Iowa Department of Revenue website for information.

Who should I contact if my mailing address changes or if I have a name change?

Mailing Address Change

Mailing address changes can only be requested by the vehicle owner when proper identification and verification are provided.

Complete a mailing address changes by contacting the Polk County Treasurer’s office at 515-286-3030.

Legal Name Change

To change a legal name, follow these steps.

Driver’s License

• Complete your request on the Iowa DOT

Replacement Vehicle Registration

• Call 515-286-3030 to request a replacement registration with your new legal name. A $5.00 replacement fee will be charged.

Vehicle Title

• You are not required to obtain a corrected/updated title with your new legal name.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

How do I get a replacement registration, validation sticker or license plates?

See Replacement Registration, Validation Stickers, and License Plates page.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

I'm in the military. Do I need to register my vehicle in Iowa if I'm stationed in Iowa on active duty?

Iowa Resident Military Duty

A member of the armed forces who is a resident of Iowa must register their vehicle and pay the associated fees when stationed in Iowa.

Non-Resident Military Duty

If you are member of the armed forces who is a non-resident to Iowa and stationed in Iowa, you are not required to register a vehicle in Iowa provided that your vehicle is properly registered in your state of residency. To comply with this process, all owners of the vehicle must be non-residents of the state of Iowa.

Exceptions apply to passenger cars:

• The fee on a passenger car or multipurpose vehicle is based on vehicle weight; the section based on value is not included.
• Application for registration of a passenger car (sedan) or multipurpose vehicle (SUV) must include a certification of residency, attested to by the commanding officer of the nonresident.
• Application for Certification of Title and/or Registration, form 411007.
• Nonresident Military Personnel Certification
• Submit the completed forms to the Treasurer’s Office with any additional information.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

I recently moved to Iowa. What do I need to do to register my vehicle?

See New Iowa Residents page.

How do I order specialty or personalized plates?

The Iowa Department of Transportation approves Specialty License Plates.

I'm in the military. Can I place my vehicle in storage while I'm on active duty?

If the vehicle is registered for the current year and the owner has entered the military service of the United States in time of war and the vehicle has been placed in storage, a refund may be applied for on the unexpired months of the registration year by making a verbal statement.

Registration plates must be turned in. Upon the owner's return to the state of Iowa, the vehicle will be registered for the remaining months of the registration year.

How do I store a vehicle I'm not using?

To place your vehicle in storage, follow these steps.

1. Take action before the last day of the month following the owner's registration renewal month.
2. Surrender the license plates and vehicle registration for each vehicle to the Treasurer’s Office in the county of residence.

The vehicle can be re-registered at any time with the payment of the full annual registration fee due at that time.

You CANNOT store any delinquent plates or first partial-paid truck, truck tractor or farm special plates.

How do I complete a title transfer for a mobile or manufactured home?

When ownership of a mobile or manufactured home is processed, the new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to the Polk County Treasurer’s Office. The title for the mobile or manufactured home must be processed and obtained from the county where the home is physically located.

Refer to the Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Title section.

• Complete all forms using black or blue ink.
• Return completed forms
  • Mail to Polk County Treasurer’s Office, 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309, OR
  • Secure all required documents in an envelope and place in the drop box located near the south entrance of the Polk County Administration Building, 111 Court Avenue.

Seller(s) responsibility

• On the original title, list the buyer(s) name and address on the assignment line.
• Up to three names may be listed as owners on a title.
• Record the date of sale.
• Provide signature of seller(s).
• If the home is jointly owned and listed as “AND,” all owners must sign.
• If the home is jointly owned and listed as “OR,” at least one owner must sign.

Buyer(s) responsibility

• Complete the Iowa Department of Transportation Application for Iowa Title and/or Registration, form 411007.
• Owner Information
• Complete information for all owners.
• All buyers must complete owner information.
• All buyers are required to sign at the bottom of the application
• Vehicle Information
• Complete by using the information listed on the vehicle title.
• Security Interest Information
• If there is a lien or loan on the vehicle, provide all requested information.
• If there is no lien or loan against the vehicle, print “none” in the Security Interest section or mark the “none” checkbox option.
• Purchase Price
• The purchase price must be declared when:
• The mobile home is new, OR
• This is a first-time title and no tax has been paid.
• “Use Tax” will be imposed on manufactured housing and mobile homes at the rate of 5%.
• The tax is based on 20% of the purchase price.
• If no tax is due, complete and submit page 2 of the Application for Tax Exemption using exemption code UT08A.  
• Information on Use Tax can be found on Iowa Department and Revenue’s website.

Mobile Homes or Manufactured Housing Tax

A mobile home tax clearance is required to transfer the ownership of a mobile or manufactured home.

Items to note.

• The tax clearance form will be completed by the last county that collected the mobile home tax.
• The transfer of ownership will be completed in the county where the mobile or manufactured home is physically located.

 To obtain a tax clearance, follow these steps.

• The owner who sells a home between July 1 and December 31.
  • Must pay the September tax installment.
  • Not required to pay the March tax installment.
• The owner who sells a home between January 1 and June 30.
  • Must pay the March tax installment.

All delinquent taxes and tax sales must be paid in full.

Refer to the Property Tax Mobile Home Information webpage for additional details.

When completing online forms, it is necessary to download and save the form to your own computer. The saved form can be emailed to the appropriate organization as needed.

How do I complete a title transfer for a trailer?

See this page for more information, Vehicle Title Transfers.