How to Sell a Car in Iowa Privately? (State Guide)

The buyer has 30 days from date of sale to register the car and complete the title transfer. If the title is not processed within that window, they face $10 title late fee plus a registration penalty of 5% of the registration fee per month (minimum $5).

If the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Filing Form 411107 (Notice of Sale and Delivery of Title) after the sale creates a record that you transferred ownership, which protects you if the buyer delays registration.

Title notarization is not required in Iowa. Iowa doesn't require title notarization for private sales. Sign your name in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.

In Iowa, a bill of sale is required for all private vehicle sales. This requirement also applies to vehicles that are gifted rather than sold.

The bill of sale must include the seller’s name, vehicle make and year, VIN, buyer’s name, date of sale, purchase price, and the seller’s signature. Notarization is not required, unless the title has errors or alterations.

Yes, if the vehicle is 7 model years old or newer. The damage disclosure is completed on the back of the Iowa title in the assignment area, alongside the odometer reading.

You must disclose any prior damage that exceeded 70% of the vehicle’s fair market value, such as salvage, flood, or major collision damage.

If the Iowa title was issued before January 1, 2005, or if the title is from another state, you’ll need a separate Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108) instead.

Yes, but the lien must be released first. In Iowa, the lienholder releases the lien electronically through Iowa's Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system, signs the lien release section on the paper title, or provides a notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Form 411168).

You can arrange a payoff at the time of closing so the lender releases the lien directly when you sell. If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket.

Yes, but only in limited cases. Iowa Code section 321.52, subsection 2(b), allows a licensed auto recycler to purchase a vehicle without a title from the owner if the vehicle is 12 model years old or older, the purchase price is less than $1,000, and the buyer is a licensed auto recycler under Iowa Code chapter 321H.

If you don’t qualify for this exception, you’ll need to get a replacement title first using Form 411033.

It depends on whether the estate went through probate. For probated estates, the executor can sign the title using Letters Testamentary from the court as authorization.

For non-probate estates, the forms are: Form 411083 (Affidavit of Death Testate, with a will) for non-probate estates with a will, or Form 411088 (Affidavit of Death Intestate) for non-probate estates without a will.

Your county treasurer’s office is the best place to confirm exactly which forms apply to your situation. Bring any estate documents you have when you go.

It depends on the connector between the names on the front of the title. If it says “and,” all owners listed on the title must sign as sellers.

If it says “or,” only one of the owners needs to sign. Check the front of your title carefully before the sale, because this is easy to miss and a missing signature will void the transfer.

Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. For minor mistakes such as a misspelled name or wrong sale date, you can use Form 411219 (Affidavit of Correction). Both parties sign and get it notarized.

For mistakes that can’t be fixed with the Affidavit of Correction (such as an incorrect purchase price or odometer reading), you’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form 411033. The fee is $35.00 and Iowa has a mandatory waiting period of 5 days from application submission. Submit the form to the county treasurer's office where your original Iowa title was issued.

Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives.

Complete the Iowa title assignment, sign the bill of sale, and file Form 411107 (Notice of Sale and Delivery of Title) with your county treasurer.

The buyer will use the completed Iowa title to register the car in their home state. Some states require a VIN inspection when importing a vehicle, but that’s the buyer’s responsibility, not yours.

In Iowa, license plates stay with the seller. The one exception is a direct transfer to a spouse, parent, or child, where plates and fees can move with the vehicle.

You can transfer your plates to a new vehicle you purchase within 30 days, or return them to your county treasurer. If your unused registration balance is $10 or more, you may qualify for a refund.

Filing is strongly recommended. In Iowa: 30 days (recommended). The form is Form 411107 (Notice of Sale and Delivery of Title).

You can file online or submit a printed copy at your county treasurer’s office.

Filing protects you from continued legal liability for tickets, accidents, or other incidents involving the vehicle after delivery to the buyer.