Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Iowa? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Iowa transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007) filed with your county treasurer, and since 2020 a signed bill of sale is required with every title transfer. It also protects both sides: it locks in the price, the handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Iowa requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Iowa?
Yes. Since January 1, 2020, a bill of sale signed by the seller is required with every Iowa title transfer — including gifts — to establish the purchase price. Ownership still transfers through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title (Form 411007) at your county treasurer.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Iowa requires the bill of sale to be signed by the seller, but it does not need to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must present the assigned title and the required documents to the county treasurer within 30 days of the purchase date. A penalty is applied automatically if the transfer isn't processed within 30 days, so don't wait.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Iowa doesn't charge a sales tax on vehicles — instead it collects a one-time fee for new registration of 5% of the purchase price, plus a $10 transfer fee, paid to the county treasurer. An accurate price on your bill of sale sets this amount.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Iowa county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files Form 411007 with the county treasurer within 30 days.
Ready to create your Iowa bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Iowa bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Iowabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than your local county treasurer's office. Confirm the details with your local county treasurer's office.
Iowa bill of sale FAQ
Does an Iowa motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Iowa requires the bill of sale to be signed by the seller, but it does not need to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title (Form 411007) at your county treasurer — notarizing is optional.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Iowa?
Yes. Since January 1, 2020, Iowa requires a signed bill of sale with every title transfer — even gifts — to establish the purchase price. It also proves the sale date and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Iowa?
At your local county treasurer's office. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form 411007), the bill of sale, proof of insurance, and payment for the fees and 5% registration fee.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Iowa?
The buyer has 30 days from the purchase date to present the assigned title and documents to the county treasurer. A penalty is applied automatically after 30 days, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Iowa?
Iowa doesn't charge a vehicle sales tax — it collects a one-time fee for new registration of 5% of the purchase price, plus a $10 transfer fee, at the county treasurer. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Iowa requires the seller's signature on the bill of sale, and both parties should sign and date it and each keep a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Iowa?
Yes — Iowa doesn't mandate a specific form, so a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it's signed by the seller and has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the county treasurer.
Is this Iowa bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.