Iowa bill of sale allows documenting essential details of the deal between private parties. It provides information about the parties, the item being purchased and sold, and payment details. As a rule, Iowa bills of sale are signed only by sellers. However, you must include the contact details of both the buyer and seller.
The document might not seem necessary for every single deal as it is generally required by state agencies only for motor vehicle and boat transfers. However, a valid bill of sale protects both parties and helps ensure the transaction is fair and legal.
There is an official bill of sale form, which you can use in Iowa for a transaction involving motor vehicles. It’s short and easy to complete. This bill of sale form consists of all the essential details, such as the seller’s and buyer’s names, vehicle description (including VIN), purchase price, and transaction date.
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| Document Name | Iowa Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Iowa Car Bill of Sale, Iowa Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | Iowa Department of Transportation |
| Vehicle Registration Fee | Fees are based on weight and list price of the vehicle |
| Bill of Sale Required? | Yes |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 7 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 8 |
A bill of sale may resemble a purchase agreement. However, you should distinguish between these two legal documents. A purchase agreement covers all the terms and conditions of the future transaction, while a bill of sale serves as a receipt to prove ownership transfer and close the deal.
Different types of property will require parties to include specific information in the bill of sale. For example, in a dog bill of sale, you should specify the breed of an animal, and in a motorcycle bill of sale, it’s make, model, year, odometer reading, and so on.
Iowa motor vehicle bill of sale form lets you detail the specifics of the sale and purchase of a motor vehicle in this state. Once filled out, this bill of sale can be used as evidence of a change of ownership when titling and registering a newly acquired vehicle. In the state of Iowa, a motor vehicle should be registered within 30 days after the transfer of ownership or an owner moving to the state. The registration should be renewed once per year.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Can be required by your County Treasurer |
| Download | PDF Template |
Iowa boat bill of sale lets a new owner of a vessel register it at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Registration in the state of Iowa is needed for all motorized and sail-powered vessels. Individuals wishing to register their vessels should turn to their local County Recorder’s Office to submit all the needed documents. Registration fees depend on the type of vessel, its length, and registration date.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Can be required by your County Treasurer |
| Download | PDF Template |
A firearm bill of sale is needed to prove the firearm transfer was conducted legally. Even though a gun does not need to be registered in Iowa, a license to carry is required. Iowa laws do not set the requirement for new gun owners to register their firearms. But if you plan to carry your gun openly, you will need to get a license for that and, after that, wear the firearm in either a hip or shoulder holster.
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
A general bill of sale will let you record the most necessary details of the deal, regardless of the type of property you plan to buy from or sell to a private party.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Vehicle owners use an Iowa official bill of sale form to transfer a motor vehicle title through a sale to another person. The bill of sale can come in handy to prove ownership and register vehicles with the local DMV. Our Iowa motor vehicle bill of sale template is easy to complete but will serve as additional legal protection for both the buyer and vendor. Here are simple directions to help you quickly fill out this form.
Please remember that the previous owner of the vehicle must add a completed odometer statement when transferring the vehicle’s title. The buyer and new owner will have to prepare a valid Iowa driver’s license to register the newly acquired vehicle.
Step 1: Provide the transaction details
In the first section, you are required to type in the seller’s name, motor vehicle details (make, year, and vehicle identification number), and the buyer’s name.
Step 2: Specify the purchase price
The following step is to indicate the amount of money being paid for the vehicle and the transaction date.
Step 3: Provide the seller’s signature
The seller is required to sign the bill of sale document. The buyer doesn’t need to sign the form.
Step 4: Notarize the document
In Iowa, some county treasures may require the parties to notarize the document. We recommend getting in touch with the county treasurer to get the factual requirements. Even if notarization is not mandatory, you can still get it to ensure that the document is legally binding.
Iowa state’s laws demand that all residents who have recently bought automobiles from individuals visit the nearest County Treasurer’s Office. A new owner of a motor vehicle is recommended to present an Iowa motor vehicle bill of sale to facilitate the registration process. In addition, signing the Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077) is required to show the vehicle’s actual mileage. Failure to provide accurate mileage is an offense that could land a previous owner in legal trouble with the state. A smooth registration process requires the purchaser to furnish the authorities with the following documents:
Vehicle registration fees vary depending on the vehicle’s type and make and typically require multiple forms of payment. For instance, for vehicles with life support appliances to transport wounded or ill people to medical facilities, you will have to pay around $50. If you’ve purchased an antique vehicle, you will need to pay from $16 to $23, depending on the vehicle’s year of manufacture.
Please note that the law requires a new owner to register vehicles within 30 days of purchasing or acquiring them. All delays lead to fines and penalties the state may impose on offenders.
If you move to Iowa from another state, you must register your car with the county treasurer in your area within 30 days of establishing residency in Iowa. This rule applies even if your license plates are still legal in another state.
A vehicle bill of sale form provided by the Iowa State County Treasurers Alliance.
This document is required by federal and state laws upon transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle.
This Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration for a Vehicle form is provided by the Iowa Tax and Tags website and is required during vehicle registration.
The Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Statement is required during a vehicle sale if the vehicle is seven model years old or newer (exceptions apply).
Use this vehicle power of attorney document in case you want to authorize somebody to register or title a vehicle on your behalf.
You can use this application form to register a boat, an ATV, a snowmobile, an ORV, or an ORM.
An application for a permit to get a pistol or a revolver, provided by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
