Vehicles

• Signed title from previous owner/dealer
• Bill of sale or purchase agreement - Bill of Sale on Iowa Certificate of Title
• Completed Application for Iowa certificate of Title (form 411007)
• Cancellation of Security Interest (form 411168), if an uncancelled Lien is showing on front of the title
• Odometer Statement completed on back of title. If vehicle mileage is not noted on the back of the Title for vehicles model year 2011 or newer, use form 411077
• Damage Disclosure (form 411108) (for vehicles 8 years old or newer)

• Signed title from previous owner/dealer
• Sales tax receipt, bill of sale, or purchase agreement
• Completed Application for Iowa certificate of Title (form 411007)
• Cancellation of Security Interest (form 411168), if an uncancelled Lien is showing on front of the title
• Odometer Statement completed on back of title. If vehicle mileage is not noted on the back of the Title for vehicles model year 2011 or newer, use form 411077
• Damage Disclosure (form 411108) (for vehicles 8 years old or newer)

Find out how to transfer a title after a death.

Iowa Code 321.18 and 321.19 allow school districts and government agencies to apply to the Iowa DOT for title and registration of school district- or agency-owned vehicles, and to receive a permanent registration certificate and registration plates for these vehicles without charge.

• Application process for registering government agency or school district vehicles

A vehicle is required to have a manufacturer's label attached to the vehicle, certifying that it meets all the federal safety standards, if the vehicle is to be titled and registered for use on a highway. If there is no manufacturer's label, the vehicle will not be titled or registered in Iowa.

The language found in Iowa Code 321.30(15) reads, "Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, the department or the county treasurer shall refuse registration and issuance of a certificate of title unless the vehicle bears a manufacturer's label pursuant to 49 C.F.R. pt. 567 certifying that the vehicle meets federal motor vehicle safety standards."

If the applicant is unable to obtain correct title documents for a vehicle, a title bond is required as a condition of titling. Following are typical situations which require a title bond:

• applicant is unable to obtain a title from the seller;
• applicant receives a title from the seller but the VIN or other pertinent data is incorrect and a corrected document cannot be obtained;
• vehicle was junked and is 25 years old or older.
• unreleased security interest holder cannot be located to release security interest.

Application for the bond title must be made on an “Application for Registration and Bonded Certificate of Title for a Vehicle” form 411008. The form specifies the additional information which must be submitted with the application to VMCS.