Vehicle FAQs

When is a title required for a vehicle?

All motor vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, and semi-trailers must be titled (exception: regular and semi-trailers with an empty weight of 2,000 lbs. or less are only registered).

How do I apply for a lost or replacement title?

Complete the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Iowa DOT Form 411033). The application must be signed by all owners. If there is an open lien on the vehicle, the application will need to be signed by the lien holder.

If there is an open lien on the title, but the lien holder does not have an interest in the vehicle any longer, they may complete a separate notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Iowa DOT Form 411168) form.

A notarized letter from the security interest holder on their letterhead paper is acceptable if it has the following information:

• Make
• Year
• VIN
• Owners name(s) and address

Once the application is received there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the replacement title can be issued. The fee for a replacement title is $25.00.

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

With Probate:

If the individual’s death went through probate, the person(s) assigned as the executor(s) must use their Letter of Appointment to properly assign the title to a new owner. The Letter of Appointment must be provided with the title to the new owner. If the title is not available, the executor(s) can apply for a replacement title using the Letter of Appointment and the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Iowa DOT form 411033).

Without Probate:

If the individual’s death did not go through probate, the vehicle can be transferred to the next of kin using the Certification of Death Testate (With a Will) (Iowa DOT form 411083) or Affidavit of Death Intestate (Iowa DOT form 411088) form.

If the person entitled to the vehicle is not the next of kin but is given the vehicle per a will, then they also can use the Certification of Death Testate (With a Will) (Iowa DOT form 411083).

A copy of the death certificate must be provided at the time of transfer. If there are any unreleased security interests on the vehicle, those will carry forward to the new owner unless a separate, notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Iowa DOT form 411168) or an original letter on the lien holder’s letterhead releases interest.

The letter must be notarized and contain the following information:

• Make
• Year
• VIN
• Owner’s name(s) and address
• Signature of authorized person

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

Individuals or organizations that purchase a salvage vehicle with a salvage title must transfer the title in their county of residence within 30 days of purchase. 

In order to transfer your salvage title to a regular title, you must first have the vehicle repaired, inspected, and titled within 30 days of the date of purchase.

See the Vehicle Title Transfer page for more information on completing a title transfer.

Do I need a junking certificate?

Owners of a motor vehicle can dispose of a vehicle to a licensed recycler for scrap or junk without a certificate of title or a junking certificate IF:

• 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?

Junking certificates are only issued on titled vehicles. If you sell your vehicle for junk or 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)
• Apply for a junking certificate using the Application for Junking Certificate (DOT form#411123)

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

Renewal Notices are created and mailed by a third party and counties do not have the ability to reprint them.  

If you do not have your Web PIN, you can also use the Audit Number that is included on the bottom left portion of your current vehicle registration to renew online.  See the following Example Vehicle Registration.

If you do not have your current vehicle registration, you can contact us to obtain your Web PIN.

How much will my registration cost?

Registration fees are determined by Iowa Statute which factors in the type of vehicle, the manufacture’s list price, the age of the vehicle, and the vehicle's weight.  To estimate your registration fee, please see the Registration Fees by Vehicle Type.

What happens if I don't pay my registration renewal within my renewal window?

If you fail to pay your registration renewal within your renewal window, a penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the annual renewal amount, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum. If the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, renewals can be completed on the first business day of the following month without added penalty.

Is a portion of my vehicle registration fee tax deductible?

If you itemize deduct on your State of Iowa personal income taxes, a portion of your vehicle registration fee may be tax deductible.  To determine what portion, if any, please review the following Iowa Department of Revenue Vehicle Registration Fee Deduction Worksheet.

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

Mailing Address Change:

Mailing address changes can be made by contacting the Treasurer's office by phone or e-mail.

Legal Name Change:

Requirements:

• Update your legal name on your Iowa driver's license through the Iowa DOT
• Request a replacement registration in your new legal name through the County Treasurer

Please note that you are not required to obtain a corrected title with your new name.

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

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

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

Iowa Residents:

A member of the armed forces who is a resident of Iowa must pay the same registration fees that apply to other residents when registering a vehicle in this state.

Non-Residents:

If you are a nonresident member of the armed forces you are not required to register a vehicle in Iowa provided that your vehicle is properly registered in your state of residency.

A nonresident may register a vehicle in this state, if desired, in the same manner as any nonresident, with the following exceptions that apply to passenger cars:

• The fee on a passenger car or multipurpose vehicle is based on vehicle weight; the part based on value is not included.
• Application for registration of a passenger car or multipurpose vehicle must include a certification of residency, attested to by the commanding officer of the nonresident.
  • Application for Certification of Title and/or Registration (Iowa DOT Form 411007)
  • Nonresident Military Personnel Certification

How much will it cost to title and/or register my vehicle?

Use the Iowa DOT Fee Estimator tool to determine title & registration fees due. This tool is NOT compatible with mobile devices.

Instructions:

• On top of page, hover over 'Tools' menu and select 'Dealer Inquiry'
• Select 'Fee Estimator'
  
  • Use this feature to estimate fees due on a newly acquired vehicle and calculate:
    • Registration & title fees
    • Security interest recording fees
    • Use tax
    • Credit from a vehicle that has been sold, traded, or junked

How do I order personalized or specialty plates?

See Specialty License Plates page.

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

See New Iowa Residents page.

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

To place your vehicle in storage, you must surrender your license plates and registration for each vehicle to the Treasurer on or before the last day of the month following the owner's registration renewal month.  You can re-register your vehicle at any time in the future with the payment of the full annual tax due at that time.  You CANNOT store any delinquent plates or first ½ truck, truck tractor or farm special 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 complete a title transfer for a mobile or manufactured home?

A new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to the County Treasurer so that a title can be issued in the new owner's name.

All documents must be completed in black or blue ball-point pen and either mailed or dropped in our drop box.

Seller(s) complete:

• Title assignment: Buyer(s) name and address on the assignment line.  Up to three names may be listed as owners on a title
• Date of Sale
• Signature of seller: If jointly owned with the name connector 'AND', both sellers must sign

Buyer(s) complete:

• The Iowa Application for Iowa Title and/or Registration Form (Iowa DOT form 411007)
  • Owner Information
    • All buyers must complete owner information (1, 2, & 3) and are required to sign at the bottom of the application
  • Vehicle Information
    • Completed by using the information on the title
  • Security Interest Information
    • If there is a lien to be noted on the title, provide all information requested. If no lien against the vehicle, print “none” after the words “If none, so state.”
  • Purchase Price
    • Must be declared on new mobile homes or first time title if no tax has been paid.
    • “Use Tax” will be imposed on manufactured housing and mobile homes at the rate of 5 percent.  The tax is based on 20 percent of the purchase price.  If no tax is due, complete page 2 of the Application for Tax Exemption using UT08.  More information on “Use Tax” can be found on Iowa Department and Revenue’s website in the UT510 Manual.

Mobile homes or Manufactured Housing

A mobile home tax clearance is required for the transfer of a mobile/manufactured home.  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/manufactured home is located.  To obtain a tax clearance, the owner who sells a home between July 1 and December 31 must pay the September tax installment and is 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.

For additional details, please refer to the Property Tax Mobile Home Information page.

How do I complete a title transfer for a trailer?

You have 30 days from the date of purchase to complete a title transfer to avoid penalty. All trailer transfers require a completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration [DOT form 411007].

Small Trailers

Small trailers weighing 2000 lbs. empty weight or less only require registration and do not need to be titled.

Requirements:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
• A bill of sale, the prior owner’s registration signed over, or a title (if coming from a state that issues titles on small trailers)
• If brand new, small trailers are required to have a bill of sale and may have a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

Annual Registration Fee: $20

Large Regular/Semi Trailers 

Large Regular/Semi trailers weigh over 2000 lbs. empty weight and are titled and registered in Iowa. 

Requirements:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
• A properly assigned title
• If brand new, large trailers are required to have a bill of sale and a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

Title Fee: $25

Annual Registration Fee: $30

Homemade Trailers 

If you have built a trailer weighing 2000 lbs. or less:

• You must complete and submit the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration to your County Treasurer

If the trailer weighs more than 2000 lbs.:

• You will need to have a VIN assigned by the Iowa DOT
  • Email the Iowa DOT’s Investigation Bureau at INVBUREAU@IowaDOT.US for instructions on how to obtain an Iowa assigned VIN.

Towable Recreational Vehicles 

Towable recreational vehicles are designed as a place of human habitation for vacation or recreational purposes. The annual registration fee for towable recreational vehicles is based on the model year and square footage. 

Requirements:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
• A properly assigned title if the towable recreational vehicle is used, or
• The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin and a bill of sale from the dealership if the towable recreational vehicle is new.