• Iowa Auto Registration Costs
• Iowa Auto Registration
• Iowa Auto Registration Tax Deduction
• State Of Iowa Auto Registration Fees

Vehicle owners need to change car registration address in Iowa by performing a procedure through the IA DOT. Drivers may have several options for completing an address update and they may even use the same methods as for changing the address on a driver’s license or ID card. Fee Estimator: This feature will estimate fees due for a newly acquired vehicle. You can calculate registration, title, security interest recording fees, and use tax. It will also calculate credit from a vehicle that has been sold, traded or junked. Truck Rate Calculator: This feature is used to determine registration fee by tonnage. Online Services Driver's License/ID Driver's Education Motor Carriers Commercial Vehicles/CDL Registration & Plates Buying & Selling Motorcycles/ Mopeds. As COVID-19 has spread, this has caused an impact on delivery of personalized license plates. At this time we will continue to take personalized plate orders. On or before the 'enforcement date', Iowa law requires the registration validation sticker, often called a tag, to be affixed to the lower left side of the rear plate for large plates. For small plates the tags should be affixed to the upper left corner.

How to Complete an Auto Title Transfer in Iowa

• Seller and buyer must sign and complete the IA vehicle title (including the odometer disclosure and damage disclosure statements).
• Complete the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007).
• Take the required documents and title transfer fees to your local Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) office.
• Continue reading for more details about completing a vehicle title transfer in Iowa.

New to Iowa?

In Iowa, you must title and register your vehicle with your local IA county treasurer's office within 30 days of establishing residency. If your license plates are valid in another state, this process is still required.

You'll need to submit the following in person to your local Iowa DOT office:

• A completed Application For Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007).
• Your out-of-state vehicle title.
• Payment for the title transfer fees and registration fees.

For more details about how to register your vehicle and complete an auto title transfer in Iowa as a new resident, visit our Car Registration page.

Buying or Selling a Vehicle in Iowa

Selling a Vehicle

NOTE: You may want to accompany the buyer to your local Iowa county treasurer's office to complete the vehicle title transfer. This may help to avoid complications.

When selling a vehicle in Iowa, you'll need to take the following steps to finalize the car title transfer:

• Sign, date, and complete on the odometer and damage disclosure statements on the title and give it to the buyer.
  • If there is no damage disclosure section on the title, you'll need to complete a Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108), unless the vehicle is exempt.
  • If there is no odometer disclosure section on the title, you must provide a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077).
• Complete a Bill of Sale with the buyer.
  • You may want to notarize this document.
• Provide the buyer with thename of the county where the vehicle was last registered plus thedate the license plates expire.
• Fill out a Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title (Form 411107) and submit it to your IA county treasurer's office.
  • This form certifies the transfer/delivery of your title and vehicle to the purchaser.

If you are selling your vehicle to someone out of state, you will need to provide a separate:

• A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077).
• A completed Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108), if required.
  • For a list of exemptions, please visit the IA DOT website.

NOTE: If you end up purchasing another vehicle within 30 days, you can transfer your license plates to the new vehicle. Otherwise, turn in the plates to your IA county treasurer.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

When buying a new car, the dealer will help you complete all of the paperwork needed for the DMV title transfer.

Used Cars

Do Your Research Before Buying a Used Car

You can order a vehicle history report online to make sure you know as much as possible about the car you are going to purchase. You'll also want to look into car insurance policies before registering your car in Iowa.

NOTE: Be sure to get thename of the county where your used vehicle was last registered and thedate the license plates expire.

To apply for an Iowa car title transfer and to register your vehicle, you must follow these steps:

• Ask the seller to sign, date, and complete the title, and then do so yourself.
  • The seller must complete the odometer disclosure and damage disclosure statements on the title.
    • If there is no section for the damage disclosure statement, the seller must provide a Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108) unless exempt.
    • If there is no section for the odometer disclosure statement, the seller must provide you with an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077).
  • The lienholder will also need to sign the title, if applicable.
• Obtain a Bill of Sale from the seller.
• Complete an Application For Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007).
• Take the above documents as well as payment for all title transfer feesand vehicle registration fees to your Iowa DOT office.

You can drive the vehicle for up to 30 days without license plates, but you must carry either:

• A signed and dated Bill of Sale. (Document must describe the vehicle to be valid).
  OR
  
• The vehicle title (assigned to your name) or a photocopy of both sides of the title.

NOTE: Visit our Car Registration in Iowa page to ensure you have all the documents required to register your vehicle when you apply for the DMV title transfer.

Gifting, Donating, or Inheriting a Vehicle

Gifting a Vehicle

You're able to gift a vehicle or receive a vehicle as a gift in Iowa. Depending on the circumstances, the recipient may or may not have to pay taxes or a one-time registrationfee when completing the DMV title transfer and registration process.

To find out about the required documents when gifting a vehicle or how to complete a vehicle title transfer between family members, please contact the Iowa DOT.

NOTE: Any auto title transfers among family that involve a sale are NOT exempt from paying the one-time registration fee in Iowa.

Donating a Vehicle

In Iowa, you can search for a local non-profit who accepts vehicle donations. When you donate a vehicle in Iowa, you may even receive a tax write-off.

Visit our section about IA Vehicle Donations to learn more.

Inheriting a Vehicle

When you inherit a vehicle in Iowa, take the following steps to apply for a car title transfer and register the vehicle:

• Complete an Application For Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007).
• Provide supporting documentation (e.g., a copy of the will, death certificate, or inheritance tax return).
• Pay all necessary registration and title transfer fees.

NOTE: You may be exempt from the one-time Iowa registration fee if you're titling an inherited vehicle without a court order or will.

If you have any specific questions about your vehicle inheritance, title transfer fees, or the DMV title transfer process, contact your local IA DOT office.

Removing a Lien

Once you pay off your car loan, you'll need to remove the lienholder's name from the title. To apply for a lien-free Iowa vehicle title:

• Obtain the vehicle title and a copy of the completed Cancellation of Security Interest (Form 411168) from the lienholder.
  • The lienholder will forward the cancellation form to the Iowa DOT.
• Complete an Application For Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007).
• Make a note of the cancellation on the vehicle title, if not already done by the lienholder.
• Submit the above items and payment for the $25 fee in person to the Iowa county treasurer's office that issued the title.

NOTE: If the lienholder fails to deliver the original title to you after completing the cancellation form, you will need to have the cancellation form notarized to obtain a replacement title.

If you have any specific questions about lien releases in Iowa, contact your lienholder or the IA DOT directly.

Changing IA Vehicle Title Information

Changing, Adding, or Deleting a Name

If you've recently changed your name, or need to change the ownership of your vehicle, you'll need to update your Iowa vehicle title accordingly.

To find out how to change, delete, or add a name on your title, contact the Iowa county treasurer in the county where your title was first issued.

You can learn about updating the name on your IA driver's license by reading our Changing Your Name in Iowa page.

Title Transfer Fees in Iowa

Fees vary by county, check with your local county treasurer for current fees to transfer a title

NOTE:When you apply for a DMV title transfer, you'll also need to register the vehicle with the IA DOT. For specific details about your vehicle registration fees, you can read our page about Car Registration in Iowa.

Replace an IA Vehicle Title

If you recently lost your vehicle title in Iowa, you'll need to apply for a duplicate inperson. You cannot apply online or by mail.

Complete instructions can be found on our Replacing a Lost Title in IA page.

Forms

411007

411168

411108

411107

411077

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

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COVID-19 Effects on Registration Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state DMVs nationwide have closed driver licensing offices, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. If possible, residents should use the MVD's online services to complete any relevant transactions. Follow the MVD's most recent updates for the latest information.

Summary: How to Register Your Vehicle in Iowa

Vehicle registration in Iowa must be done in person at your local treasurer's office. Bring your vehicle title, driver's license, an odometer statement, a damage disclosure statement (if applicable), and payment for your required fee. While some registrations pay standardized fees, others have weight- and price-based fees.

All vehicles must be registered to legally be driven in Iowa. You must register your vehicle(s) with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) at the county treasurer's office where you live. This page will help guide you through the process of registering your car for the first time.

If you're looking for information on how to renew an existing Iowa vehicle registration, please see our page on Registration Renewals in Iowa.

New to Iowa?

You have 30 days from the time you establish residency in Iowa to register your vehicle with the county treasurer's office. New residents must first have an Iowa driver's license in order to register their vehicle. You must register and get Iowa license plates even if your old plates are still valid in your previous state.

To register your vehicle:

• Submit your current vehicle title.
• Complete and submit an Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007).
  • If your vehicle is leased, you will instead submit the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration of a Leased Vehicle (Form 411179).

You are not required to get an Iowa title, but if you do not title the vehicle, your registration will be non-transferable. You will not be able to sell the vehicle with a non-transferable registration.

If you've lost the original title, you will need to contact your previous state to get a new title issued.

You will have to title your vehicle in Iowa and receive a transferable registration before you can sell the vehicle.

Registering a Vehicle in Iowa

Vehicle registration can only be completed in person at your local treasurer's office or satellite office – you cannot register your vehicle by mail or online.

Make sure you have an active car insurance policy when registering your vehicle.

Iowa Auto Registration Costs

Compare rates and buy your policy online: Visit the Insurance Center >>

Vehicles Purchased or Leased from a Dealership

Dealerships will generally fill out the paperwork required to register your vehicle, and send it all in to the Division of Motor Vehicles for you. They will usually issue temporary tags that will be good until you get your actual license plates in the mail. The registration and titling fees can be combined with the purchase price of the vehicle.

You can also opt to have the dealership give you the completed paperwork and take it in to the treasurer's office yourself. You will need to submit all the paperwork and pay the registration and titling fees.

Leased Vehicles

Registering a leased vehicle is usually taken care of by the dealers. If you have to register it yourself, you can follow the steps listed below and use the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration of a Leased Vehicle (Form 411179) instead of the regular application for registration of a vehicle.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

When purchasing a vehicle in Iowa from a private individual, you must first have an Iowa driver's license. It is recommended that you and the seller of the vehicle complete and sign a Bill of Sale to prove a transfer of ownership, though the Iowa DOT doesn't specifically require this for vehicle registration.

Make sure the seller provides you with:

• The vehicle title. You and the seller will both need to sign the title for a legal title transfer.
• The vehicle's odometer statement. You'll need to fill in the odometer statement on the registration application before you submit it to your county treasurer's office.
• A damage disclosure statement.

Once you have all paperwork from the seller, go to your local county treasurer's office and:

• Present your valid Iowa driver's license.
• Complete the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007) with the vehicle odometer reading written in the appropriate box.
• Present the vehicle title, loan paperwork, or other documents proving ownership of the vehicle.
  • If there is a loan on the vehicle, you will need to contact the lender in order to complete the paperwork to register the vehicle.
• Pay the registration fees (see “Iowa Vehicle Registration Fees' below).

You will receive your new Iowa license plates when you complete the registration. In Iowa, vehicle registrations expire on the last day of your birth month.

Iowa Military Registration

Residents of Iowa who are serving in the Armed Forces must abide by the same registration laws as other Iowa residents, and pay the same vehicle registration fees.

Non-resident members of the military serving in Iowa do not have to register their vehicle(s) in the state. If you do choose to register your vehicle with the state, you will follow the same steps listed above in “ New to Iowa?' with the following exceptions:

• Registration fees will be based solely on the weight of the vehicle.
• You must have your commanding officer fill out a certification of residency in Iowa.

Iowa Vehicle Registration Fees

In Iowa, some vehicles will pay a standardized registration fee, while others will pay registration fees based on a percentage of the vehicle price plus its weight.

Vehicles required to pay standardized fees are:

Iowa Auto Registration

• Motorcycles: $10 - $20
• Multipurpose vehicles: $55.
  • Examples: Chevy Blazer, Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, etc.
• All vehicles over 12 years old except as listed above: $50.
• Specially-equipped vehicles (modified to accommodate a disability): $60.
  • May be less due to the age of the vehicle.

Price- and Weight-Based Fees

Iowa Auto Registration Tax Deduction

Some registration fees will be a combination of a percentage of the list price added to a fee based on the weight of the vehicle. These calculations pertain to:

• All passenger cars.
• Low speed vehicles.
• Multipurpose vehicles manufactured since 1993.
• Trucks built since 2010 and have less than 10,000 miles.

Percentages of List Price

State Of Iowa Auto Registration Fees

• 1% for vehicles from 1 to 7 years old.
• 0.75% for vehicles from 8 to 9 years old.
• 0.50% for vehicles from 10 to 11 years old.

Weight Fees

For every 100 lbs. that your vehicle weighs, $0.40 will be added to the percentage of the list price of the vehicle.

Once you have figured out the percentage of the list price of the vehicle and the cost for the weight of your vehicle, you add both of those together to figure out the registration cost.

Registration Fees for Trucks

Trucks, truck tractors, and buses have a set registration fee based on age and weight. Fees for trucks can be found on the Truck Fees chart.

IA License Plates

You will receive your new license plates when you register your vehicle for the first time.

If you buy the vehicle from a dealership, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will send you the license plates in the mail along with your registration.

The license plates will have a registration sticker with them for you to stick on the rear plate:

• For large license plates (cars, trucks, etc.), affix the sticker to the lower left corner of the plate.
• For small license plates (motorcycles), place the sticker on the upper left corner of the plate.

There are a number of different license plates available from the DOT for an additional fee, including personalized plates. Click here to view a list of special Iowa plates that are currently available. Special or personalized plates may not be immediately available when you register your vehicle, so you may have to wait for them to be mailed to you at a later date.

For more information, please visit our page on license plates in Iowa.

Forms

411007

411179

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form