Vehicle owners need to request a replacement car title in Iowa when their current credentials get lost, destroyed or altered. It is important for residents to know how to replace a vehicle title if it goes missing, becomes damaged or is otherwise illegible. A car title certificate is needed in situations when motorists need to provide proof of ownership of a motor vehicle. Motorists are recommended to keep their certificate of title in a safe place in order to make sure that they will be able to find it in situations when they might need to prove the ownership of their motor vehicles.

Thus, drivers must replace a lost car title at the DMV whenever they face a lost or damaged credential. Vehicle owners need to perform a procedure for replacing a lost car title through the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). As part of the procedure, motorists may have to satisfy certain requirements for replacing a lost or damaged car title, depending on the Iowa DOT regulations. Therefore, applicants who want to learn how to get a replacement car title in Iowa need to continue reading the sections below.

When do you need to get a duplicate car title in Iowa?

Motorists must replace a lost car title at the DOT in Iowa in various different situations. For instance, motorists with lost car titles need to apply for duplicates because they must always hold a valid proof of motor vehicle ownership. Moreover, requesting a replacement car title in Iowa is also mandatory when drivers hold destroyed or altered certificates of title.

Therefore, applicants who are wondering when and how to get a new title if lost, destroyed or altered must find out the available replacement methods offered by the IA DOT and prepare the documentation needed for the method of their choice.

Documents Required When Applying for an Iowa Car Title Copy

When replacing a lost car title at the DMV in Iowa, motorists need to prepare certain documentation. Vehicle owners who are faced with either a lost car title or a destroyed or altered credential are required to complete an Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle.

Motorists who need to replace a lost title in person or by other means must provide a completed form for duplicate credential along with payment for the applicable fees. Residents wondering how to replace a stolen car title in Iowa are encouraged to report the theft to local law enforcement.

Note: Motorists may be also required to present a Cancellation of Security Interest when the vehicle title has an open lien but the lien holder has no longer a security interest in the vehicle.

Available Methods for Replacing Your Car Title in Iowa

When applying for a duplicate credential of a destroyed, altered or lost car title in Iowa, vehicle owners need to become familiar with the available replacement methods and eligibility criteria. Residents can replace a lost car title in person at a title office or by mail in select cases. Presently, it is not possible to replace a car title online.

In Person

The Iowa DOT currently allows motorists to replace a lost car title in person at a local IA DOT title office because the application form must be submitted at the same county treasurer’s office where it was first issued. When visiting a nearby IA DOT location to replace a lost car title in person, motorists need to do the following:

• Complete a replacement title application form
• Submit payment for the applicable replacement fees

By Mail

Motorists may be also allowed to replace a car title by mail in Iowa depending on the regulations of their county treasurer’s office. Therefore, motorists who are wondering how to replace a vehicle title by mail and whether that method is available in their county are recommended to contact their county treasurer’s office to find out more information.

Note: The Iowa DOT has implemented an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program for exchanging vehicle and title information electronically. This program may help drivers avoid facing a destroyed, altered or lost car title because it reduces the need for obtaining duplicate credentials.

How to Fill out the Duplicate Car Title Application in Iowa

The most important document when replacing a lost car title at the DMV in Iowa is the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle. Motorists who want to replace a lost car title need to obtain a replacement title application form from the IA DOT and complete it with the following information about the:

• Specific county treasurer
• Motor vehicle owner
• Holder(s) of security interest
• Motor vehicle

In addition, individuals who are completing the replacement title application form must ensure that either the motor vehicle owner or the security interest holder signs the form. After motorists complete this form for replacing a destroyed, altered or lost car title in Iowa, they need to submit it to the IA DOT along with payment for the applicable replacement fees.

Iowa Car Title Replacement Fees

Motorists who want to request a replacement car title in Iowa from their county treasurer’s office need to provide payment for the $25 fee along with the completed application form. Prices for duplicate title copies vary and may change without notice, so residents are encouraged to check with the state agency before submitting a replacement title application form.

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