Vehicle Registration Refunds & Credits

Refunds of vehicle registrations fees may be requested when the appropriate forms and information is provided. Refunds are processed by a county treasurer. The Iowa Department of Transportation will process and mail the refund check.
Select the refund you are requesting:
If you are visiting our office to submit a refund request, an appointment is encouraged.
Refund When Selling a Vehicle
When an owner sells a vehicle and does not replace the vehicle within 30 days a refund of the unused portion of the registration fee may be requested. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the registration expiration date.
The request must be made within six months of the date the vehicle was sold.
To apply for a refund, the vehicle owner should follow these steps.
- Complete the Claim for Refund, form 411047
- Confirm the calculated unused portion of the registration fee is $10 or more. Refunds of less than $10 will not be granted.
- Submit the completed form and plates to the Polk County Treasurer’s Office by U.S. Mail, drop box, email or in person.
- Receive a check from the Iowa Department of Transportation within four to six weeks of finalizing the application.
Refund When Returning a Leased Vehicle
When a leased vehicle is returned, the lessee may apply for a refund of the unused portion of the registration fee. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle was returned to the registration expiration date.
The request must be made within six months of returning the leased vehicle.
To request a refund on the unused portion of your registration fee, follow these steps.
- Collect the license plates.
- Complete Section 1 - Affidavit of Lease Termination or Expiration of the Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title, form 411107.
- Confirm the calculated unused portion of the registration fee is $10 or more. Refunds of less than $10 will not be granted.
- Submit the completed form and license plates to the county where the vehicle was originally registered by U.S. Mail, drop box or in person.
- Receive a check from the Iowa Department of Transportation within four to six weeks of finalizing the application.
Refund when Moving Out of State
When a vehicle owner moves out of Iowa with their Iowa-registered vehicle, a refund of the unused portion of the registration fee may be requested. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is registered in the owner’s new state of residence to the expiration date of the Iowa registration.
The request must be made within six months from the date the vehicle was registered in the new state.
To apply for a refund, the person who paid the registration fee should follow these steps.
- Complete the Claim for Refund, form 411047.
- Confirm the calculated unused portion of the registration fee is $10 or more. Refunds of less than $10 will not be granted.
- Submit the completed form and plates to the Polk County Treasurer’s Office by U.S. Mail, drop box, email or in person.
- Receive a check from the Iowa Department of Transportation within four to six weeks of finalizing the application.