Iowa Vehicle Bill of Sale

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   There is no standalone official form. Iowa does not mandate a separate DMV bill-of-sale form; the Iowa DOT builds a bill-of-sale field into the certificate of title, and depending on which version your county uses, the updated title may serve as the bill of sale under the Transfer/Sale Date section.

2. 2

   Notarization is not required. Iowa transfers title by the seller's signed assignment on the certificate of title, and the Iowa DOT sell-a-vehicle guidance lists no notarization requirement for the bill of sale or the title transfer.

3. 3

   Odometer disclosure is required. A statement of the number of miles must be given to the buyer and must be correct. For transfers from December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2030, any vehicle of model year 2011 or newer requires odometer disclosure, handled on the back of the title for used vehicles or on Odometer Statement form 411077 for new vehicles.

4. 4

   Iowa charges no vehicle sales or use tax. Instead a one-time fee for new registration of ten dollars plus five percent of the purchase price is imposed under Iowa Code 321.105A, so the price stated on the bill of sale or title is the figure the 5% fee is calculated on.

5. 5

   Title at any county treasurer within 30 days. Title and registration are processed by any county treasurer, not a central DMV, and the transferee must apply for a new title and registration within thirty calendar days of purchase under Iowa Code 321.46.

6. 6

   A separate bill of sale is conditional. The assigned title alone transfers ownership; a separate bill of sale is required only when the county's title certificate lacks the Transfer/Sale Date section.

7. 7

   The fee-for-new-registration mechanic is the distinctive Iowa feature. Rather than a sales tax, the county treasurer collects a 5% fee for new registration on the purchase price at titling, which makes the stated price on the bill of sale or title the basis for what the buyer pays.

Iowa Requirements for Bill of Sale

• Iowa Form and Notarization

  Iowa does not mandate a standalone DMV bill-of-sale form. The Iowa DOT builds a bill-of-sale field into the certificate of title under the Transfer/Sale Date section, and depending on which version your county uses, the updated title may serve as the bill of sale. Notarization is not required; Iowa transfers title by the seller's signed assignment on the certificate of title.

• Buyer and Seller Information

  Identify the buyer and the seller by full legal name and address. These details support the bill-of-sale record that accompanies the title transfer at the county treasurer.

• Vehicle Description

  Describe the vehicle by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), year, make, model, body type, and color so it can be matched to the certificate of title at transfer.

• Odometer Disclosure

  Record the odometer reading. A statement of the number of miles must be given to the buyer and must be correct. For transfers from December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2030, any vehicle of model year 2011 or newer requires odometer disclosure, handled on the back of the title for used vehicles or on Odometer Statement form 411077 for new vehicles.

• Sale Price and the 5% Fee for New Registration

  State the sale price and date. Iowa charges no vehicle sales or use tax. Instead, the county treasurer collects a one-time fee for new registration of ten dollars plus five percent of the purchase price under Iowa Code 321.105A, so the price stated on the bill of sale or title drives that 5% fee. Confirm the current fee with your county treasurer.

• No Vehicle Sales Tax, a Fee for New Registration Instead

  Iowa imposes no sales or use tax on a vehicle. The distinctive Iowa mechanic is a one-time fee for new registration of ten dollars plus five percent of the purchase price, collected by the county treasurer at the time the buyer applies for a new initial registration and certificate of title under Iowa Code 321.105A.

• Title at Any County Treasurer Within 30 Days

  Title and registration are processed by any county treasurer, not a central DMV. Under Iowa Code 321.46 the transferee must apply for a new title and registration within thirty calendar days after purchase or transfer.

• Bring the Assigned Title and Records

  Bring the assigned certificate of title, the odometer disclosure, and your bill of sale to the county treasurer's office. Keep a copy of the title and bill of sale as proof of the transaction and the stated price.