Iowa Vehicle Registration

Registering a Vehicle in Iowa

You must register your vehicle through the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Below is a general list of items to bring when visiting a local Iowa DMV office.

What to bring to the IA DOT:

• Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, ID, or passport).
• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007).
• An odometer statement.
• A damage disclosure statement.
• Proof of vehicle ownership (i.e., your vehicle title).
• Acceptable form of payment for IA car registration fees and taxes.

Continue reading for more details about how to register a vehicle in Iowa.

Vehicle Registration for New Residents

New to Iowa?

Iowa law requires you to apply for an Iowa vehicle registration with the county treasurer’s office in your county within 30 days of establishing residency.

To register your vehicle, visit your local IA county treasurer’s office and present:

• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007).
  • If there is a lien on your vehicle, please note that on your application.

• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Leased Vehicle Form 411170), for leased vehicles.
• Your Iowa driver’s license.
• Your current out-of-state registration.
• Proof of ownership (i.e., your current certificate of title).
• Payment for IA car registration and title fees.
  • New residents must pay a 5% one-time new registration fee on the remaining balance for leased vehicles.

Registering Vehicles Purchased from an IA Dealer

When you purchase a new or used vehicle from a licensed Iowa car dealership, they will usually take care of the registration process for you.

The dealer will then collect all of the applicable fees and taxes, and will submit all necessary documents to the IA DMV on your behalf. If the dealer does not offer this service or if you choose to register your vehicle yourself, visit your local county treasurer’s office and submit the following:

• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007).
• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Leased Vehicle Form 411170), if you lease your vehicle.
• A completed Odometer Statement (Form 411077).
• A legally assigned Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
• Bill of sale or purchase agreement.
• A Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108), if applicable.
• Payment for Iowa title and registration fees.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

To register your vehicle, visit your local IA county treasurer’s office and present:

• Your Iowa driver’s license.
• An Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle (Form 411007).
• A bill of sale signed by both the buyer and seller.
• The vehicle title, properly assigned from the seller to the buyer.
• A completed odometer statement on the back of the title.
  • If the vehicle mileage is not shown on the back of the title for a vehicle model year 2011 and newer, then complete an Odometer Statement (Form 411077).
• A Cancellation of Security Interest (Form 411168), if a lien shows on the front of the title.
• A Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108) for vehicles 8 years old and newer. Payment for IA car registration and title fees.

IA Registration for Military Drivers

Registration for IA Military Residents

Active duty Iowa military residents AND military residents stationed out-of-state can follow the registration instructions in our Registering a Vehicle in Iowa section.

NOTE: Military members with disabilities may be eligible for a reduced registration fee for specially equipped vehicles.

Registration for Non-Residents

The Iowa DOT does NOT require service members stationed in Iowa who reside in another state to register their vehicles in IA.

Iowa military personnel must maintain current registration and auto insurance from their home state during deployment.

If they become residents of the state, they must apply for IA car registration. Refer to Vehicle Registration for New Residents to learn more.

A nonresident may register a passenger vehicle in the same manner as nonresidents with the following exceptions:

• Submit a Non Resident Military Personnel Certification.
  • Your commanding officer must complete this form.
AND
• Payment for your registration fees.
  • The registration fee varies by vehicle weight only – not value.

Renewing Your Registration in Iowa

In Iowa, you can renew your vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person at your local county treasurer’s office. The Iowa DOT requires you to renew registration in your county of residence.

The IA Department of Transportation mails your renewal notice prior to the expiration. Your renewal notice will contain the following information:

• Your online PIN.
• Your vehicle information.
• Payment instructions.

Be sure to renew your registration before it expires to avoid the late penalty of 5% per month of your registration renewal fee.

NOTE: If you do not have your renewal notice and Web PIN, you can simply use the Audit Number on the bottom left portion of your current vehicle registration. See Iowa Renewals to learn more.

Replace a Lost or Damaged Registration

For lost, stolen, or damaged IA registration cards or tabs, you may apply for a replacement in person at your local IA county treasurer’s office.

To replace your IA registration card in person, gather and submit the following:

• Your vehicle plate number.
• Proof of identity.
• Payment for the $3 replacement registration fee.

NOTE: If you need a replacement decal, you must submit your current registration card. If you do not have your current registration card, you must pay the $3 fee to obtain a new one.

Changes to Your IA Car Registration

Name Changes on IA Registration

You can make changes to your name and/or address on your IA vehicle registration by visiting the IA county treasurer’s office in person.

To change a name on Iowa vehicle registration, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Next, visit any Iowa DOT-operated service center with proof of your name change to update your name on your Iowa driver license. There is a $10 fee for a duplicate license with your new address.

To proceed with updating your name on your registration, please follow the steps outlined above in Replace a Lost or Damaged Registration.

Address Changes on IA Vehicle Registration

You may change your address with the IA DOT by contacting your local County Treasurer. You must do this within 10 days of moving to your new address.

The IA DOT will update their system with your new address. Next, you may proceed with applying for duplicate registration. See Replace a Lost or Damaged Registration to learn more.

Vehicle Registration Fees in IA

IA Vehicle Registration Fees

The Iowa DOT has a fixed registration fee schedule for most vehicles. Registration fees vary by vehicle weight and value.

Vehicles with simple fixed registration fees include:

• Motorcycles: $10 to $20
• All passenger vehicles 12 years old and older: $50
• Small regular trailer less than 2,000 pounds: $20

Registration fees vary by vehicle weight and list price in Iowa. All vehicles including multipurpose vehicles, and trucks 2010 and newer with weight less than or equal to 10,000 pounds can use this formula:

$0.40 per 100 pounds of vehicle weight plus:

• 1% of the list price for vehicles 1 year old to 7 years old.
• .75% of the list price for vehicles 8 years old to 9 years old.
• .50% of the list price for vehicles 10 years old to 11 years old.

Here are some of the other Iowa registration and title fees:

• Duplicate/corrected title fee: $25
• Replacement registration ID card fee: $3
• Replacement plate fee: $5
• Sales/use tax: 5.98%

For more exact vehicle registration fees, you may visit the IA DOT’s fee calculator.