Iowa DMV Title Transfer Guide

How To Transfer A Vehicle Title In Iowa

Whether you are buying or selling a car in Iowa, it’s a good idea to know how to transfer a title. The following article has all the tips and forms you need to get your new ride titled or to make sure that the car you sold won’t be coming back.

In Iowa, all applications for a new title are processed at your local County Treasurer’s Office. Your county may apply local taxes or fees during the registration and titling process, so you must visit the office in the county where your car will be primarily garaged.

How To Fill Out Transfer Of Title Form

All applications for a new title after buying the car from a private party must complete the appropriate DMV title transfer form and the transfer assignment on the back of the title.

The seller must record the buyer’s name and address on the top of the original title, fill in the purchase price, print and sign their own name and date the document.

The buyer will also print and sign their name and date the document.

If the car is less than 10 years old, the odometer reading must be filled in on the transfer assignment section with the “Actual Mileage” or “Actual or Exceeded Mileage” box checked.

If the car is less than 7 years old, it must also have the damage disclosure statement completed by the seller.

Both the buyer and seller must sign the Application for Title form.

Title Transfer Requirements

Now that the sale is complete, you need to know how to transfer a car title at the County Treasurer office. What do you need to transfer a car title?

• The original title with all required areas on the back filled out without any alterations.
• A copy of the previous registration.
• Your driver’s license.
• The Application for Certificate of Title completed and signed.
• Payment for all fees and taxes.
• The damage disclosure if the car is 7 years old or younger.
• The lien holder’s information is there is a loan on the car.

The treasurer accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards. There may be a processing fee for credit card payments.

Title Transfer Fees

Now that you have all the paperwork lined up, how much is a title transfer in Iowa?  The title transfer fee itself is just $25. However, if you just purchased the car there will be sales tax based on the price paid for the car, local usage taxes, and even processing fees.

There is a handy fee estimator to determine how much does it cost to transfer a car title. Remember though that fees will vary from county to county. Call your local treasurer for an accurate price or use this worksheet.

How To Transfer Ownership Of A Car Without A Title

If the car has been recently registered by the seller, but they do not have a title, demand that they obtain a duplicate title before you purchase the car. If no title is available, it is possible to apply for a new title, but as the buyer, you are taking a risk.

Bring the bill of sale, the VIN number, and most recent registration to the County Treasurer’s office. They will conduct a VIN search that will pull up the history of the vehicle and indicate if there are any liens remaining on the car or current owners. You may have to purchase a surety bond to receive a temporary title after the search is completed.

After a period of time, the DOT can issue a clean title if no previous claims of ownership are found to be valid.

Requesting A Duplicate Title

The process of obtaining a duplicate title in Iowa is fairly straightforward. The current owner listed on the title must bring the current registration, their driver’s license, a completed Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle 411033 and fee to the DMV.

The duplicate title will be mailed to the owner’s address within a couple weeks.

Missing Your Iowa Title in the Mail?

So, my car title signed but never transferred. What do I do?

If you just bought the car, it will take one to two months for the new title to arrive in the mail. Be patient.

If you have a loan on the car, your bank will hold the title until the loan is paid off.  They will then mail it to you.

If you moved before the title arrived, the post office would return it to the DMV. You will need to file a change of address and have the title mailed back out.

If it is really missing, visit the County Treasurer’s Office and have them complete a VIN search on the title to see if it can be determined where it might be found.

How To Transfer A Car Title To A Family Member

In the purchase price box on the back of the title, you will write in “gift” or “zero dollars”. Check with your County Treasurer as there may be an affidavit form of family required to gift the car without payment.

Otherwise, the family member may be charged sales tax based on the book value of the car.

How To Transfer A Car Title When Owner Is Deceased

If you are the surviving spouse of the deceased, you may transfer the title into your own name by signing as both the buyer and seller on all required documents.  You may have to provide a certificate of death. You will pay the $25 transfer title fee, but all other taxes and fees should be waived.

If you are the executor of the estate and selling the vehicle, you will have to provide notarized documentation of your legal ability to act on behalf of the deceased and the death certificate. Check with the county treasurer for any other forms that may be required. All regular taxes and fees will apply to the transaction.

If you have any other questions regarding transferring a car title in Iowa, contact your County Treasurer’s Office.

Iowa DMV Hours And Contact Information

For more information on questions specific to your title transfer scenario, clarification on the title transfer process in the state of Iowa, or for IA DMV hours and to find the DMV location nearest to you, visit the official Iowa Department of Transportation website by clicking here.

Common Questions About Iowa Title Transfer

Are there any questions about transferring a car title that we didn’t cover?

We are constantly updating our content and welcome your feedback. Leave us a comment and let us know any other questions you might have regarding how to transfer a car title in the state of Iowa.