Frequently Asked Questions

We Are Here to Help - Search Our FAQs

Navigate

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn in my damaged car title?

If the damaged car title is illegible, dispose of the car title properly. To request a replacement car title, visit a local county treasurer s office. Upon arrival have completed or complete an Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle. Also, provide proper payment of the $25.00 replacement title fee (subject to change). For further questions regarding replacing car titles in Iowa, contact the local county treasurer s officethe vehicle corresponds to.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

How do I file a police report if my car title was stolen?

The Iowa Department of Transportation strongly recommends that if lost or stolen, car vehicle titles must be reported. To report an IA stolen car title call and visit a local law enforcement office or officer. Documents like a driver s license or vehicle title may lead to cases of identity theft.

If believing to be involved in a case of identity theft, contact the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection at 866-908-4636. To obtain more information contact the Iowa’s Office of the Attorney General at 515-281-5926.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

How do I obtain a duplicate car title?

In the necessity of an Iowa duplicate car title, the vehicle owner must complete and process an Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle. Titles requiring more than one signature are not valid unless are signatures are recorded, if the title has a lien then the application must be completed by the lien holder.

With these applications an additional replacement title fee of $25.00 (subject to change) may be placed. There may be a five-day period before the replacement title is processed issued. Contact the local county treasurer s office for questions on procedures.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

How do I obtain a salvaged car title?

To getcar titles and registrations for an Iowa salvaged vehicle an application for title must be submitted to the local county treasurer s office. Along with the application, note one or more of the following:

  • Salvage title
  • Prior salvage
  • Rebuilt
  • Two-letter abbreviation of the out-of-state jurisdiction
  • Food, fire, vandalism, or theft
  • Lemon buy-back

Upon submission, the local county treasurer s office will issue a salvaged vehicle title. The regular title will be designated as prior salvage and may have one of the previous noted circumstances on the upper-right corner of the Iowa car title and registration receipt.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

How do I transfer my car title between states?

To transfer titles between states, procedures may differ depending on the move. If moving from Iowa to a new state and try getting car titles for that specific state, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state.

Residents moving to Iowa must provide:

  • Certificate of title
  • Completed Iowa Certificate of Title application

Contact the local county treasurer s office for further assistance and procedures regarding Iowa car titles.

For more information: Iowa State-to-State Transfer of Title

How do I transfer my car title if I lost the original?

In the case where an Iowa car title has been lost and is needed to be replaced with an IA new car title, the local county treasurer s office will help complete the process. Simply, the vehicle owner in need for the IA car title, may complete the Application For Replacement Of Iowa Certificate Of Title To A Motor Vehicle. This form is to be presented at the local county treasurer s office where the previous vehicle title was issued. Additional fees may apply depending on the county guidelines. Before visiting the office in person, feel free to contact the county treasurer s office via telephone or email to assist with any questions.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

How do I transfer my car title?

To complete an Iowa car title transfer it must be done in the Iowa County of residence. When getting car title transfers, follow the following steps:

Upon all document completion, the owner to which the vehicle was handed over must present the new title to the county treasurer office no later than 30 days after the title was newly issued.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

How do I transfer the title of my RV?

Transferring RV titles results in a motor vehicle title transfer. To get car titles in Iowa for an RV, the seller should complete the Assignment of Title form available at the local county treasurer s office.

The buyer shall complete an Application for Certificate of Title or Application for Certificate Title. Certain additional documentation may apply, such as:

  • Declared purchase price
  • Bill of sale
  • Odometer statement
  • Damage disclosure

Provide all documentation to the local county treasurer s office. For further instruction and procedure, contact the office during business hours.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

How long does it take to receive my replacement car title after ordering online?

Iowa title replacements may be requested at the local county treasurer s office the vehicle corresponds to. To receive a replacement, make sure to provide:

After the application is received and all fees are processed there is a mandatory waiting period of five days. After the waiting period is complete, the Iowa car title replacement will be issued.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

If a family member dies and leaves his or her car to me, how do I switch over the title?

Vehicle inheritances are handled differently depending on the case. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa County treasurer s offices may help with inheritance cases involving how to get car titles in Iowa.

  • If an Iowa resident passes away with a will that is validated, the courts handle the vehicle transfer
  • If the will does not go through the certification, a completed Affidavit of Death Testament will need to be undertaken for further titling procedures.
  • If there is no will, an Affidavit of Death Intestate must be filed and completed for a title transfer

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

What are some reasons that may require me to transfer my car title?

To get car title transfers in Iowa, it is advisable to contact the local county treasurer s department the vehicle corresponds to. The following reasons pertain to title transfer reasoning:

  • Selling
  • Buying
  • Removing a Lien
  • Transferring
  • Inheriting

In order to transfer an Iowa used car title, contact the local county treasurer s department and corresponding fees and procedures will be informed and dealt with accordingly. To legally operate a vehicle as an Iowa resident, the vehicle must be titled and registered.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

What are the required fees to get a replacement car title?

The replacement title fee is $25.00 and is subject to change. The replacement fee is paid at the local county treasurer s office. Make sure to provide all documentation and forms that may be needed to when replacing car titles in Iowa. Contact the local county treasurer s officefor additional fees and forms that may apply. Forms may include:

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

What documents do I need to present for a replacement car title?

Iowa car title replacement may require an in-person visit to the county treasurer s office. No documentation is required, but certain Iowa DOT forms must be brought to the office corresponding the vehicle in the assigned county. The following forms may need to be completed:

These applications, along with a $25.00 replacement title fee (subject to change) may be required at the local county treasurer s office. Contact the local office for information regarding certain vehicle requirements.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

What documents do I need to transfer my car title?

To transfer an IA used car title, the original Iowa title for car is required. The forms can be obtained online or at a local county treasurer s office. The following forms must be filled and signed in black ink:

  • Completed the Assignment of Title on the back of the title document
  • Complete the Odometer Statement found in the back of the vehicle title or fill out the Odometer Disclosure Statement
  • Complete the Damage Disclosure Statement
  • Complete the Certificate of Title by the buyer and seller
  • Provide a Bill of Sale

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

What forms must I fill out for a duplicate car title?

Along with the applicable fees, certain forms must be filled out to receive an IA duplicate car title. The vehicle owner must complete an Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle.

If there is a lien holder, the application is not valid unless the lien holder signs the application as well. If the lien holder will no longer be on the Iowa car title, an optional Cancellation of Security Interest form must be filled out. Contact the local county treasurer s officefor additional fees and forms that may apply to specific IA car title replacement cases. For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

What if the original is located after my car title replacement has been issued?

If the original IA car title is lost and a replacement has been issued, properly dispose of the previous car title. The old car title is void and not valid for the vehicle any longer.

To avoid identity theft, it is recommended that important documentation be shredded properly. If concerned about identity theft, contact the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection at 866-908-4636. To obtain more information regarding identity theft contact the Iowa’s Office of the Attorney General at 515-281-5926.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

What is the process to get a title for a scooter or motorcycle?

To title a motorcycle, in the case the motorcycle is in used condition, the Iowa vehicle title must be provided to the county treasurer s office. When getting IA vehicle titles motorcycles or scooters may require fees and a submitted application and title or MCO to the appropriate Iowa county treasurer s office.

In the case of a new motorcycle, the vehicle must have a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and be taken to the local county treasurer s department. The MCO may be accompanied by a completed Iowa Certificate of Title application. Contact the local county treasurer s office for further assistance regarding motorcycle titling.

If trying to get car titles for an Iowa scooter, the vehicle must have an MCO stating that the vehicle s maximum operating speed is less than 30 mph.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

When should I complete a Bill of Sale?

For security and confirmation purposes, it is recommended the Bill of Sale be completed as soon as theIA car title transaction occurs. It is advisable that before the Bill of Sale is completed, all other paperwork be completed. The Bill of Sale is not valid without the new copy to the owner of the vehicle for which the title is issued. Necessary documents and forms may include:

Contact the local county treasurer s office of the specific vehicle for county-specific procedures and instruction.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Iowa

Where can I mail my request for a replacement title?

Contact the local county treasurer s office for any issues regarding vehicle titles including Iowa duplicate car titles. The county treasurer s office that completes replacement requests is in the county the vehicle is titled and registered under. Contact the local office for information on replacement title requests; most counties require an in-person application.

In Iowa replacing car titles requires the following when fulfilling a title replacement request:

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa

Will I need to present proof of insurance to get a car title replacement?

To obtain an Iowa duplicate car title no proof of insurance is required. Most local county treasurer s officeonly requires a completed Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle. Aside from the application, a $25.00 replacement title fee (subject to change) will be required. Visit a local county treasurer s officein the county of the corresponding vehicle with all form and fees requirements. For questions concerning title replacements and requirements contact the office of the local county treasurer.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Iowa