Frequently Asked Questions

To renew your Iowa driver's license online you must:

• Be at least 18 years old, but younger than 70.
• Be an Iowa resident and a United States citizen (as shown by the Iowa DOT's existing records).
• Have a valid non-commercial Iowa license and/or motorcycle license. (Minor's licenses, instruction permits, and work permits CANNOT be renewed online.)
• Have a driver's license that expires within 180 days or has not been expired for more than one year.
• Have renewed your current driver's license at a driver's license issuance site. Driver’s licenses may only be renewed online every other issuance.
• Have no changes to your name, date of birth, sex, class type, endorsements, or restrictions.
• Not have restrictions E, G, I, J, T, Q, or R listed on the back of your current license.
• Not be required to submit a medical or vision report at the time of renewal.
• Have no pending requests for re-examination.
• Not have a current license marked "Valid Without Photo."

If you want to add a REAL ID or veteran's designation at the time of renewal, you will need to appear in person. (But if your card already has a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you may renew it online and keep that designation.)

If you renew online, you will not receive a temporary document valid to board an aircraft, but you can use your existing card if it has not yet expired. You will receive your new card in the mail in approximately 30 days. If your license does not arrive within 30 days, call 515-244-8725.

During the online process, we will ask you questions. We may deny your online application and ask you to appear in person at a driver's license issuance site based on your answers to those questions.

To renew online you will need:

• Your current Iowa driver's license.
• A credit card.

If you meet all of the requirements and have all the items listed above, you may begin the online renewal process.

To renew your Iowa non-operator's ID card online you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be an Iowa resident and a United States citizen (as shown by the Iowa DOT's existing records).
• Have an Iowa ID that expires within 180 days or has not been expired for more than one year.
• Have no changes to your name, date of birth, or sex.
• Have renewed your current ID at a driver's license issuance site. ID’s may only be renewed online every other issuance.
• Not have a current ID marked "Valid Without Photo."

If you want to add a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you will need to appear in person. (But if your card already has a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you may renew it online and keep that designation.)

If you renew online, you will not receive a temporary document valid to board an aircraft, but you can use your existing card if it has not yet expired. You will receive your new card in the mail in approximately 30 days. If your ID card does not arrive within 30 days, call 515-244-8725.

To renew online you will need:

• Your current Iowa ID card.
• A credit card.

If you meet all of the requirements and have all the items listed above, you may begin the online renewal process.

We complete driving tests Monday - Friday by appointment only. We do not perform CDL or motorcycle drive tests. 

For a CDL driving test, Visit the Iowa DOT website to schedule an appointment.

The operator of a covered farm vehicle is not required to hold a CDL to operate a vehicle within the scope of the covered farm vehicle exemptions. A class C operator’s license is sufficient for operation of a covered farm vehicle, including a truck-tractor/semitrailer combination, within the scope of the covered farm vehicle exemptions.

Review the Farmer Guidance page on the Iowa DOT website regarding covered farm vehicles.

You can also review the Farm Guide for more information on the laws, regulations, and exemptions that pertain to farm transportation. 

No. While you do need to show documentation that proves your identity and your proof of residence to vote in Iowa, if you are using a driver’s license or ID for this purpose, it does not need to have the REAL ID marking.

An International Driving Permit is merely a translation of a person's home country license.

AAA Motor Club processes applications for International Driving Permits; please contact your closest AAA Motor Club for further information.

To be valid to drive in this country under Iowa Code 321.176(3), you would also need to carry your actual foreign license with your International Driving Permit.

Get a noncertified copy of your driving record at no charge. It is for reference only and cannot be used for official or legal purposes. Click here to access Non Certified Driving Record

Purchase a certified copy of your driving record for $5.50 plus an online processing fee of $3.00. This record is your official driving record certified by the Iowa DOT and can be used for official or legal purposes. Click here to purchase Certified Driving Record from the Iowa DOT

We will verify your Emergency Contact information with you at your driver's license appointment or you can manage your Emergency Contact information anytime online by logging in with your Iowa driver’s license or identification card.

New applicants - New applicants are already required to bring all the required documents needed to qualify for a REAL ID-marked card. If you are new to Iowa or are newly returned to the state and you successfully complete the requirements for an Iowa driver's license or ID card, you will be issued a REAL ID-marked card.

Current driver's license or ID card holders - If you currently hold a driver's license or ID card that is not marked as REAL ID-compliant (gold star), you can decide whether you want to apply for a REAL ID-marked card. If you will use your card for federal official purposes (i.e., boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities that require identification to enter, or entering nuclear power plants), then you may want to apply for a REAL ID-marked card.

If you do not currently use your card for these purposes and do not expect to in the future, you may decide you don’t need a REAL ID-marked card.

Also, if you have another form of federal identification you can use for these purposes, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card, you may decide you don’t need a REAL ID-marked card.

Already have an Iowa driver's license or ID card with a REAL ID star? Then there is nothing more to do. You can continue to renew your driver's license or ID card as usual, and it will continue to be marked with a REAL ID star.

Parent-taught driver education was created and authorized by the Iowa legislature for parents that wish to teach driver education to their own children. There are 3 simple steps to meet requirements.  Click here to be linked to the requirements, process, and Iowa DOT approved courses.

July 1, 2024 the Minor School License became the Special Minor's Restricted License. Your child must have taken driver's education and have held their permit for 6 months with no accidents or citations. They will need to a completed Affidavit for Special Minor's Resctricted License (form 430021) and have it signed by their principal. Most schools have these at their disposal.

Expiration Dates

Your license expires on the expiration date printed on the license. The license is valid for driving for an additional 60 days after the expiration date. After 60 days from the expiration date, you may be ticketed for driving with an expired license.

One year following expiration, you will be required to take the knowledge test and drive test. If you plan to travel or rent a car during the 60-day grace period, you should renew your driver's license; some entities may not recognize the grace period. You may renew your driver's license 180 days before its expiration date. If you demonstrate a good cause exists to renew earlier, you may renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date. You must pass the vision screening each time you renew your license.

If you are a foreign national, you may renew your driver's license up to 30 days before the expiration date. Since we need to verify your lawful status, we are not able to renew earlier.

*Please note: Expiration dates may vary based on the issue date and will begin to taper down at age 72 and expire no later than the person’s 80th birthday.

Iowa non-operator's ID cards will be issued with an expiration date of eight years.

Instruction permits will be issued with an expiration date of four years.

Commercial learner permits (CLP) will be issued with an expiration date of one year. Full testing required once expired if license has not been upgraded to full CDL.

Driver licenses issued to persons under the age of 18, over 72, or persons who are temporary foreign nationals will be issued with shorter renewal periods set by Iowa law.

An ID costs $8 and is good for 8 years. The same documents are needed to get an ID as getting a driver's license.

An operator’s license is $4 per year.
A CDL is $8 per year. 
There may be additional fees depending on your endorsements.

If you are a victim of Identity Theft, you will need to report the theft to the Iowa DOT by completing and submiting an identity theft complaint packet. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Complete the Identity Theft Complaint Packet

Additional information regarding Identity Theft Reporting and Additional Government Agencies to Contact About Identity Theft

In order to change your Driver's License Number, you will need to have a police report or case number of the police report and schedule an appointment to be issued a new Driver's License or Identification Card.

Yes, the paper license is a temporary document and expires in 30 days. Your real plastic license should arrive in the mail within that time frame. If it has not arrived in 30 days, please call the number on the back of the paper copy to see if it has been returned to them, if they can track it for you, or if they can give us permission to reissue. You can also view the status of your driver’s license/ID card request online.

Federal regulations require all persons that want a REAL ID-marked card to have their identity, date of birth, Social Security number, residential address, and lawful status reverified before being issued the card.

No. There is no electronic chip or other electronic device in Iowa’s driver's license or ID cards, whether marked as REAL ID-compliant or not.

Iowa’s driver's licenses and ID cards do have the required bar code printed on the back; that code requires manual scanning and only conveys the information appearing on the face of the driver's license or ID card, without the photo.

No. The information you give to the Iowa DOT held securely by the Iowa DOT. It is not entered into a national database.

Call our office at 641-585-3213 to make an appointment to replace your license.

If your Iowa driver's license or ID has been lost or stolen and you are unable to apply for a duplicate because you are out of state, you may submit the temporary driving permit (TDP) application.

Please note that a temporary driving permit is not valid for identification purposes.

Your new driver’s license or ID card will arrive in a plain white envelope within 30 days of being processed. 

Check the status of your renewal.

According to the REAL ID Regulation 6 CFR Part 37, driver’s license and ID cards should have a marking indicating the card’s level of REAL ID compliance.

1. Non-compliant cards*, prior to Feb. 21, 2024 – These cards are blank in the upper-right corner.
2. REAL ID compliant cards – These cards have the gold star in the upper-right corner.

3. Non-compliant cards, beginning on Feb. 21, 2024 – These cards have the indicator of “NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES” in the upper-right corner. As citizens with the blank non-compliant cards renew or replace their driver’s license or ID cards, they will convert to the indicator of “NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES.”

   Non-compliant cards are still a valid form of identification. As of May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted for boarding domestic flights or accessing certain federal buildings.

It’s possible, but it can be complicated. An Iowa driver’s education instructor will need to review your out-of-state course to see if it meets Iowa’s requirements. If it does, you’ll get an Iowa driver education certificate. They might also ask you to take a driving test with DMV staff.

If your out-of-state course doesn’t meet Iowa’s requirements, you might still qualify for a waiver if:

• You’ve had an intermediate license for 12 months or a combination of an instruction permit and intermediate license for 12 months, with at least six of those months being on the intermediate license.
• You live with a parent or guardian in Iowa.
• You have no moving violations.

If your Iowa driver's license or ID has been lost or stolen and you are unable to apply for a duplicate because you are out of state, you may submit the temporary driving permit (TDP) application.

Please note that a temporary driving permit is not valid for identification purposes.

You will need to bring in a parent and your current permit. You must have taken driver's ed, held a permit for one year, and have a clean driving record for the past six months. You may be required to complete a drive test if your driver’s education instructor requires it, or if you completed the Parent-Taught Driver’s Education Program.

You will need to bring in a parent to sign if you are under 18. You must have held the intermediate license for a year with a clean record. After you turn 18, those requirements are no longer needed. 

Yes, your child must carry the completed form 430022 (Parental Consent for Special Minor's Restricted License) with them in their vehicle as part of their requirents for the Special Minor's Restricted License. 

You can only list an address if your child lives there, either permanently or temporarily. There is an option to list up to 3 residences if your child splits their time between parents or with other legal guardians. If your child only lives at one residence, you should leave the other 2 spots on the form blank.

A new form is required to be completed and carried if the information changes.

Maybe, but here are different rules depending on your situation:

• If you’re 14-17 years old and only had an instruction permit in the state you moved from, you’ll need to pass the operator knowledge test, complete an Iowa-approved driver’s education course,* and hold a valid permit for six months with a clean record to get a special minor's restricted license. Time with a permit in your previous state can count toward the six months.
• If you’re 16 and had an instruction permit and/or intermediate license in your previous state for the last 12 months, you need a clean record for the past six months, to complete 20 hours of supervised driving (with 2 hours after sunset), and to finish an Iowa-approved driver’s education course* to get an intermediate license.
• If you’re 17 and want a full license, you need to have held a comparable intermediate license in your previous state for the last 12 months, have a clean record for six months, complete 20 hours of supervised driving (with 2 hours after sunset), and finish an Iowa-approved driver’s education course.*

*You may be able to skip the driver’s education course if you’ve had an intermediate license for 12 months or a combination of an instruction permit and intermediate license for 12 months, with at least six of those months being on the intermediate license, you live with a parent or guardian in Iowa, and you have no moving violations.

You can view your reinstatement requirements if your driver license is suspended or revoked or call our office at 641-585-5387 and we can look up your requirements for you.

They will need their birth certificate, social security card, 2 pieces of mail with their name and address, and a parent with them. If the parent cannot be present, they will need to bring in a signed Parent/Guardians Written Consent Form.  Be sure to complete each section and answer all questions regarding the credential your minor is requesting.

If your name is different than the one shown on your birth certificate or other document used to establish identity and date of birth, you may be required to provide proof of legal name change. The following hardcopy documents are acceptable:

• Certified marriage certificate. Any marriage certificate must be issued by the state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state or country of marriage. It must be a certified copy and have the stamp or raised seal of the issuing authority. A church, chapel or similarly issued certificate is not acceptable.
• Court order documenting name change. This could include a court order under petition for name change, a court order for name change in a divorce decree or decree if annulment, or a court order for name change in a decree of adoption. Any court order must contain your prior full legal name, your court-ordered full legal name; and be stamped with the official court seal (date stamps and file stamps are not the official court seal).
• Unexpired and valid REAL ID driver’s license or ID card issued by another state, if it lists your current legal name.

In all cases, the documents must connect the name shown on your birth certificate or other document used to establish identity and date of birth to your current name. You do not have to document a complete listing of all the names you may have previously used if the documents you provide clearly connect the two.

If you already hold an Iowa driver’s license or ID card and a Social Security card in your current legal name, you do not need to provide proof of legal name change, but we will electronically verify your current and prior legal name with the Social Security Administration.

Phone: 515-244-8725 or 515-244-1052
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Fax: 515-239-1837

You can renew in our office 30 days before and up to 60 days after your expiration date. If you are over a year expired you will have to complete all testing.

You can sign up to receive an email reminder to renew your driver's license or identification card.

Sign up for electronic renewal notification.

A new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to the County Treasurer so that a title can be issued in the new owner's name.

All documents must be completed in black or blue ballpoint pen and either mailed or through an appointment to transfer the title.

Seller(s) complete

• Title assignment: Buyer(s) name and address on the assignment line.  Up to three names may be listed as owners on a title
• Date of Sale
• Signature of seller: If jointly owned with the name connector 'AND', both sellers must sign

Buyer(s) complete

• The Iowa Application for Iowa Title and/or Registration Form (Iowa DOT form 411007)
  • Owner Information
    • All buyers must complete owner information (1, 2, & 3) and are required to sign at the bottom of the application
  • Vehicle Information
    • Completed by using the information on the title
  • Security Interest Information
    • If there is a lien to be noted on the title, provide all information requested. If no lien against the vehicle, print “none” after the words “If none, so state.”
  • Purchase Price
    • Must be declared on new mobile homes or first time title if no tax has been paid.
    • “Use Tax” will be imposed on manufactured housing and mobile homes at the rate of 5% + $10.00. The tax is based on 20 percent of the purchase price.  If no tax is due, complete page 2 of the Application for Tax Exemption using UT08.  More information on “Use Tax” can be found in Iowa Administrative Code 701.250.

Mobile homes or Manufactured Housing

A mobile home tax clearance is required for the transfer of a mobile/manufactured home.  The tax clearance form will be completed by the last county that collected the mobile home tax.  The transfer of ownership will be completed in the county where the mobile/manufactured home is located.  To obtain a tax clearance, the owner who sells a home between July 1 and December 31 must pay the September tax installment and is not required to pay the March tax installment.  The owner who sells a home between January 1 and June 30 must pay the March tax installment.  All delinquent taxes and Tax Sales must be paid in full.

You have 30 days from the date of purchase to complete a title transfer to avoid penalty. All trailer transfers require a completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration [DOT form 411007].

Small Trailers

Small trailers weighing 2000 lbs. empty weight or less only require registration and do not need to be titled.

Requirements:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
• A bill of sale, the prior owner’s registration signed over, or a title (if coming from a state that issues titles on small trailers)
  • a weight slip is helpful for determing the actual weight of the trailer if there is any question as to whether it is over or under 2000 lbs.
  • a photo of the trailer along with any additional photos of distinguishing marks/labels will allow for a more accurate record of the trailer.
• If brand new, small trailers are required to have bill or sale or dealer invoice and may have a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

Annual Registration Fee: $20

Large Regular/Semi Trailers

Large Regular/Semi trailers weigh over 2000 lbs. empty weight and are titled and registered in Iowa. 

Requirements:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration
• A properly assigned title
• If brand new, large trailers are required to have a bill of sale or dealer invoice and a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

Title Fee: $25 *Fee increases to $35.00 January 1, 2025

Annual Registration Fee: $30

Homemade Trailers

If you have built a trailer weighing 2000 lbs. or less:

• You must complete and submit the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration to your County Treasurer

If the trailer weighs more than 2000 lbs.:

• You will need to have a VIN assigned by the Iowa DOT
  • Contact the Iowa DOT’s Investigation Bureau for instructions on how to obtain an Iowa assigned VIN.

No, a salvage vehicle cannot be driven on public roadways because it cannot be registered or insured. However, a permit can be printed to allow you to drive the vehicle to and from the inspection location and can be found on the last page of the online Affidavit. The Affidavit to Operate a Vehicle for Inspection allows you to drive directly to the inspection and return home. Stops are not permitted along the route.

Yes. The new owner does not need to be present at the time of transfer. However, the new owner will have to 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 along with all other required title transfer documentation.

No, if you have an abandoned vehicle on your property, you will need to follow the options for disposal of an abandoned vehicle from private property.

No, a salvage title may only be assigned or reassigned to an individual buying the vehicle by an authorized recycler licensed under Chapter 321H or a new motor vehicle dealer licensed under Chapter 322. Also, an individual can only sell a salvage titled vehicle to an educational institution, a new motor vehicle dealer, a person engaged in the business of purchasing bodies, parts of bodies, frames, or component parts of vehicles for sale as scrap metal, a salvage pool (means the business of selling at auction wrecked or salvage vehicles as defined in Chapter 321.52), or an authorized recycler, licensed under Chapter 321H.

Per Privacy Law, only a titled/registered owners may obtain vehicle/owner information. This includes spouses if they are not listed as an owner of the vehicle, we must have permission from the titled/registered owner.

If you are unable to come in to pay for your registration, you can mail in the bottom portion of your renewal notice with payment. You may also pay online with the online instructions on your renewal notice.  

If you would like someone else to pick up and/or pay for your registration renewals, that person will need one of the following:

• Your courtesy registration renewal notice
• a written consent form signed by you
• a call to our office letting us know who will be coming in to pay/pick up your vehicle registrations

Depending on what you need to do. If you are only needing to renew your registration(s), turn in plates for refunds, swap out for vanity plates, or do a title transfer you do NOT need an appointment.  Please allow appropriate time to complete your transacation as our last transaction will be 4:00 PM daily.

Driver’s License is the only department within the Treasurer’s office that requires appointments at this time.

Owners of a motor vehicle can dispose of a vehicle to a licensed recycler for scrap or junk without a certificate of title or a junking certificate IF:

• The motor vehicle is twelve model years old or older, and
• The motor vehicle is sold to the vehicle recycler for less than $1,000

The answer is dependent on the situation:

• If the owner signed over the title to you, you would be able to apply for a title at your county treasurer’s office.
• If the owner provided a bill of sale to you, but did not provide a title, then you could apply for a bonded title.
• If the owner left the vehicle on your property, but did not provide a bill of sale or sign over the title, it would be considered an abandoned vehicle and you would not be able to get a title for it.

For vehicle registrations, you can do that:

• on the Iowa Treasurers website
• at the counter or
• by mail

Complete the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Iowa DOT Form 411033). The application must be signed by all owners.  If there is an open lien on the vehicle, the application will need to be signed by the lien holder.

If there is an open lien on the title, but the lien holder does not have an interest in the vehicle any longer, they may complete a separate notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Iowa DOT Form 411168) form.

A notarized letter from the security interest holder on their letterhead paper is acceptable if it has the following information:

• Make
• Year
• VIN
• Owners name(s) and address

Once the application is received there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the replacement title can be issued. The fee for a replacement title is $35.00.

Once the vehicle has been repaired and is ready for inspection, you will need go to the website to complete the Affidavit of Salvage Vehicle Repairs form. This online process will also include the need to  pay for the inspection. The $53 exam fee must be paid online by credit card to complete the approval process prior to inspection.

Find an agency conducting electronic exams

Documents Required to Take to Inspection Location:

• Salvage title or a certified copy of the salvage title
• Affidavit of salvage vehicle repairs
• Bill of sale for all component parts replaced
• Permit to drive to/from inspection location only

Other Requirements at the Time of Inspection:

• If you are the one applying to have the salvage title changed to a rebuilt title, you’ll need to have the salvage title in your name along with all receipts, invoices, and documentation for parts used to rebuild the vehicle. You may be asked to provide confirmation of your payment for the inspection, so please bring a copy of the order ID that was sent to the email address you provided in the affidavit.
• If the vehicle passes the inspection, you can take the information the officer will give you to your county treasurer’s office to transfer from a Salvage title to a Rebuilt title and obtain registration plates for your vehicle.

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

To report an abandoned vehicle on public roadways, contact your local law enforcement agency. Find out more information if the abandoned vehicle is on your property.

To place your vehicle in storage, you must surrender your license plates and registration for each vehicle to the Treasurer on or before the last day of the month following the owner's registration renewal month.  You can re-register your vehicle at any time in the future with the payment of the full annual tax due at that time.  You CANNOT store any delinquent plates or first ½ truck, truck tractor or farm special plates.

With Probate

If the individual’s death went through probate, the person(s) assigned as the executor(s) must use their Letter of Appointment to properly assign the title to a new owner. The Letter of Appointment must be provided with the title to the new owner. If the title is not available, the executor(s) can apply for a replacement title using the Letter of Appointment and the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Iowa DOT form 411033).

Without Probate

If the individual’s death did not go through probate, the vehicle can be transferred to the next of kin using the Certification of Death Testate (With a Will) (Iowa DOT form 411083) or Affidavit of Death Intestate (Iowa DOT form 411088) form. If the person entitled to the vehicle is not the next of kin but is given the vehicle per a will, then they also can use the Certification of Death Testate (With a Will) (Iowa DOT form 411083). A copy of the death certificate must be provided at the time of transfer. If there are any unreleased security interests on the vehicle, those will carry forward to the new owner unless a separate, notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Iowa DOT form 411168) or an original letter on the lien holder’s letterhead releases interest. The letter must be notarized and contain the following information:

• Make
• Year
• VIN
• Owner’s name(s) and address
• Signature of authorized person

Registration fees are determined by Iowa Statute which factors in the type of vehicle, the manufacturer’s list price, the age of the vehicle, and the vehicle's weight.  To estimate your registration fee, please see the Registration Fees by Vehicle Type.

Renewal Notices are created and mailed by a third party and counties do not have the ability to reprint them.  

If you do not have your Web PIN, you can also use the Audit Number that is included on the bottom left portion of your current vehicle registration to renew online.  See the following Example Vehicle Registration.

If you do not have your current vehicle registration, you can contact us to obtain your Web PIN.

After repairing your salvage-titled vehicle, you can get that title converted to a rebuilt title with registration plates issued by having the vehicle inspected. Iowa law requires the vehicle to be physically examined by a peace officer who has been certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy before a rebuilt title can be issued. You must have the salvage title in your name or have the title assigned to you to have the vehicle inspected. The cost of the inspection is $53.

Junking certificates are only issued on titled vehicles. If you sell your vehicle for junk or scrap, the purchaser must surrender the title to the County Treasurer in their county of residence within 30 days and apply for a junking certificate.
If the owner junks or dismantles a vehicle, they must:

• Surrender the title and registration
• Surrender the license plates (unless the plates are being transferred to a replacement vehicle)
• Apply for a junking certificate using the Application for Junking Certificate (DOT form#411123)
   

If the vehicle is registered for the current year and the owner has entered the military service of the United States in time of war and the vehicle has been placed in storage, a refund may be applied for on the unexpired months of the registration year by making a verbal statement.

Registration plates must be turned in. Upon the owner's return to the state of Iowa, the vehicle will be registered for the remaining months of the registration year.

Iowa Residents

A member of the armed forces who is a resident of Iowa must pay the same registration fees that apply to other residents when registering a vehicle in this state.

Non-Residents

If you are a nonresident member of the armed forces you are not required to register a vehicle in Iowa provided that your vehicle is properly registered in your state of residency.

A nonresident may register a vehicle in this state, if desired, in the same manner as any nonresident, with the following exceptions that apply to passenger cars:

• The fee on a passenger car or multipurpose vehicle is based on vehicle weight; the part based on value is not included.
• Application for registration of a passenger car or multipurpose vehicle must include a certification of residency, attested to by the commanding officer of the nonresident.
  • Application for Certification of Title and/or Registration (Iowa DOT Form 411007)
  • Nonresident Military Personnel Certification

No, Iowa code does not provide for an “abandoned” title. Additionally, Iowa Code does not provide for property owners to take ownership of a vehicle abandoned on their property. Find out more information on options for private property owners with an abandoned vehicle on their property.

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 641-585-4430.

If you fail to pay your registration renewal within your renewal window, a penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the annual renewal amount, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum. If the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, renewals can be completed on the first business day of the following month without added penalty.

All motor vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, and semi-trailers must be titled (exception: regular and semi trailers with an empty weight of 2,000 lbs. or less are only registered).

To determine the fair market value for a salvage vehicle that has been repaired, use the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) consumer site. Locate the correct year, make, and model for the vehicle and include all applicable options and mileage. The proper fair market value is LOW RETAIL or ROUGH TRADE. The fair market value calculation may be reduced for parts, frames, chassis, auto bodies, and supplies used to rebuild the vehicle for which sales tax was already paid. No deduction for labor is allowed per Iowa law. If you would like to dispute the fair market vehicle value and subsequent amount of fee for the new registration you paid, you may file a claim for refund with the Iowa Department of Revenue, citing the reasons for your disputed claim of vehicle value.

You may pay by any of the following convenient ways:

1. Through the mail. Postmark must be by September 30 for the first half payment and March 31 for the second half payment to avoid penalty.
2. In our office at the Courthouse from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
3. Online through the Iowa Treasurer's website. You must have the 5-digit receipt number located on your tax statement available.

The tax sale is the sale of any unpaid property taxes within the county as of the first part of June. The tax sale is held electronically on the third Monday in June. Bidders will place their bids online and the auction site can be accessed by going to www.iowataxauction.com. Bidders must complete registration prior to the tax sale and all steps in the registration process must be completed by the specified registration deadline each year.

Click here for further tax sale information 

1.5% penalty is assessed per month after the due date.

Because we run on a fiscal year and not a calendar year:

• First half taxes are September 1st, delinquent October 1
• Second half taxes are due March 1st, delinquent April 1

Please note that if you are planning to mail in your tax payment, your envelope must be postmarked prior to the delinquent date in order to avoid late penalties. Ensure your post office is postmarking your mail the day it is dropped off as we must use the postmark on your envelope to determine delinquency.

Taxes are billed every fall and statements typically go out in the mail in mid-late August.

Your receipt number is printed on your statement. If you need assistance finding your receipt number please call our office at 641-585-2322.

Almost all credits are applied for through the Assessor's Office.*

*The one we handle is the elderly/disabled credit which is a paper that has to be completed each year. It is due by June 1st and you’re qualified based on yearly household income.