Vehicle Title Transfers

Vehicle title transfers must be completed in the applicant's county of residence. 

A new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to their county treasurer so that a title can be issued in the new owner’s name. Penalties apply after 30 days.

Vehicle title transfers are by appointment only, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Completing a Title Transfer

To ensure that there are no delays in processing your application, please read the instructions below before proceeding.

Getting Started:

Review the checklist of required documents and the application/title assignment guides to ensure that all application and title paperwork is filled out properly before submission.

Please note that the checklists and guides do not cover all circumstances including transfers of titles upon the death of an owner, etc. 

If you have questions regarding a title transfer with special circumstances, please contact us for assistance at: 515.286.3030

Application Checklists:

• In State (Iowa) Title Transfer Checklist
• Out of State Title Transfer Checklist

Application & Title Assignment Guides:

• Guide to Completing Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
  
  • Complete all of the highlighted fields. Please note, this is the minimum information required to process most applications. Requirements may vary based on your situation. Please read the application thoroughly and complete all necessary fields.
  • If more than one owner, complete additional 'owner' fields and obtain signatures of additional owners
• Guide to Completing Title Assignment (Back of Title)

Commonly Used Vehicle Transfer Forms

All documents are to be completed in black or blue ball-point pen and either mailed or dropped in our drop box (with all required supporting documents) located at the front of our building.

• Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007)
• Bill of Sale
• Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108)

Estimate Title & Registration Fees

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

Transfer Plates & Unused Vehicle Registration to New Vehicle

If you have sold a vehicle and would like to transfer the remaining balance of the vehicle registration to another purchased vehicle, you have six months from the date of sale of the original vehicle to do so.

Requirements:

• The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more
• The plate number and VIN of the vehicle sold must be listed on the Iowa Application for Title and/or Registration.

Questions?

Contact us.