Frequently Asked Questions

No. The new owner needs to be present at the time of transfer or have the appropriate forms completed beforehand. If you are transferring a title on behalf of another person, you may download Form 411007 from the Iowa DOT website. They must complete and sign this form. 

No appointment is required for Motor Vehicle services.

Payment methods for vehicle registrations:

• Through the mail. Postmark must be by last day of grace month to avoid penalty.
• In our office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. 
• Online through the Iowa Treasurer's website.
• Drop Box located at South/Main Court House Entrance – check only

You will need a letter from a doctor stating you qualify for a permanent disability. You must be an owner of the vehicle.

Download Form 411033 from the Iowa DOT website.

There is a 5-day waiting period if the original title is lost. (If the original has been altered or spoiled in some way, please submit the original title to us with Form 411033 and we will process a replacement title in the same day.)

Anybody whose name is on the face of the title MUST sign the replacement application. 

The replacement title must be ordered where the title was made (county specific). The fee is $25.00 cash only.

You must complete the inspection form on the DOT website.  You will then be contacted by DOT for further guidance.

For more information on salvage titles, please visit the Iowa DOT website.

Most personalized license plates can be ordered online on the Iowa DOT website.

If you purchased a new vehicle, you will need to bring in the title, bill of sale, Iowa driver's license or Iowa ID, and Application for Certificate of Title signed by all owners.

Completed Bill of Sale (signed by the seller, description of vehicle, date of sale, purchase price) is required for all vehicle transfers.

Damage Disclosure Statement is required for vehicles 7 years and newer.

Odometer Disclosure Statement is required for vehicles 2011 and newer.

Get an empty weight scale ticket.

If the empty weight is less than 2,000 lbs, the trailer is considered a small regular trailer.  A small regular trailer will have a registration only and receive a small single plate.  You will need to bring in the empty weight scale ticket, Iowa driver’s license or Iowa ID, and all owners will have to sign the Application for Title and Registration.  The annual registration fee will be $20.

If the weight is over 2,000 lbs, the trailer is considered a regular trailer.  Your next step is to visit the Bureau of Investigations & Identity Protection  website and contact your local investigator by email.  A bureau investigator will inspect the trailer, review your documents, and assign a VIN.  Once a VIN is assigned, you can come into the Treasurer’s office to title and register the trailer.  You will need to bring in the empty weight scale ticket, Iowa driver’s license or Iowa ID, and all owners will have to sign the Application for Title and Registration.  The annual registration fee will be $30.

The month before the plates are due, the month of, and the month after.

The month before the plates are due, the month of the plates, and the month after.

Example: September plate renewal — August, September, October.

**Please remember that other states do no honor Iowa’s grace period (month after registration is due) and you could be subject to a ticket for expired registration if traveling out of state.

You have 30 days from the date of sale to title and register a new vehicle.

You can get a new one at the Treasurer's Office. Bring the plate you have and your current registration with you. The cost is $5 for a replacement set of plates.

You can get a new one at the Treasurer's Office. Bring your current registration with you. The cost is $3 for a replacement sticker. 

You will need the out of state title, out of state registration, Iowa driver's license or Iowa ID, proof of Iowa residents and Application for Certificate of Title signed by all owners.

If you sold your vehicle and do not plan to replace it, turn your plates in within six months of the date of sale and we will apply for a refund if there is $10 or more credit on the plates.

If you sold your vehicle and plan to replace it within the next six months, you may use the credit (minimum of $10) on the plates, however you have 30 days to use the plates on your new vehicle. 

If you have turned in your leased vehicle, you will need to fill out a Claim for Refund and a Lease Termination Form , along with your plates. You can then apply for a refund as long as there is $10 or more of credit on the plates.

If you have moved out of state, you will need to complete a Claim for Refund form  and also send in a copy of your current out of state registration. You can apply for a refund as long as there is $10 or more of credit on the plates.

Your PIN is specific to you and should not change so you can use it from year to year.  The PIN is located on your renewal notice in the top right-hand corner.  If you cannot find it, you can contact our office at 712-433-2347, option #3 for Motor Vehicle.  When calling the office, please provide your plate number so we can look up your PIN.

If your renewal notice does not contain a PIN, you are not eligible to renew online. Please refer to the back of the renewal notice for more information.

Visit the Iowa DOT website for more information.

There are many circumstances regarding the death of an owner listed on a title. Please contact our office at (712) 433-2347, option # 3 for Motor Vehicle department. Please have the title(s) with you in case we have questions.