When you sell or buy a vehicle in the State of Iowa, you need a Bill of Sale. This serves as a legal contract from the seller to the buyer documenting the transaction. So a Bill of Sale Form is needed if the buyer of a vehicle wants documentation of the sale and/or the seller wishes a receipt of the sale.
The following information should appear on the Iowa Bill of Sale Form:
- Name and address of the seller.
- Name and address of the buyer.
- Vehicle description, including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, year.
- The purchase price.
- Date of sale.
- Signature of the seller and the buyer.
Iowa Bill of Sale Form
You may use this fillable form: Iowa Bill of Sale Form – form model from the Iowa State County Treasurer’s Association.
The county treasurer may require the Bill of Sale Form to be notarized. Please contact your county treasurer before submitting the form above.
Another option is to use a generic Bill of Sale or you may write up your own. Here you can download and print a Generic Iowa Bill of Sale Form.
Selling a Vehicle in Iowa
As a seller in a private transaction in Iowa it’s important to always remember to remove the license plates and keep them. Also the transaction procedure may vary depending on where the buyer is from.
When you sell a vehicle to an Iowa resident you need to give to the buyer the following documents:
- A completed odometer statement
- Certificate of title
- Bill of Sale
- A completed Damage disclosure statement
- Name of county where the vehicle was last registered and the date the license plates expire
When you sell a vehicle to an Non-Iowa resident you need to give to the buyer the following documents:
- A completed odometer statement
- A completed Damage disclosure statement
- Certificate of title with the assignment portion properly completed
In the case that the non-Iowa buyer doesn’t have valid plates for the vehicle and it is currently registered, the county treasurer will issue a 30-day transit plate for $3.
As a seller fill out the assignment, odometer and damage disclosure portions on the back of the vehicle title. However if the title is issued prior to Jan. 1, 2005, a separate damage disclosure statement is necessary. In this case, if possible, go with the buyer to the county treasurer’s office to finalize the title transfer.
In the case you’re not able to to go with the buyer to transfer the title you have another option. For this purpose obtain a receipt from the buyer stating the person has bought the vehicle and accepted delivery of the vehicle and the title.
Buying a Vehicle in Iowa
As a buyer, if you don’t have plates to transfer to the vehicle you bought and the vehicle is currently registered, you can use the vehicle for 30 days without plates. However you need a copy of one of the following documents:
- A Bill of Sale, with the vehicle details, signed and dated by the seller and the buyer
- The Vehicle Title assigned to the buyer, or photocopy of both sides of the title
Obviously if the vehicle is not currently registered, the vehicle cannot legally be operated on the highways until the registration fees are paid.
Additionally the buyer can buy a 30-day temporary permit from the county treasurer for a $25 fee.
Odometer Disclosure Statement in Iowa
Federal law and State law require that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment!
Now the law requires that you complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement form when you transfer a vehicle that is a model year 2011 or newer, below 16,000 pounds, and that is self-propelled.
You can submit here an online odometer disclosure statement: Odometer Disclosure Statement
How to fill out the Iowa Bill of Sale Form
The Iowa Bill of Sale Form is composed of four sections. Below you’ll learn how to fill out this form:
Section 1
The first section of this Bill of Sale form contains the vehicle information. Here you have to fill out first the VIN or Vehicle Identification Number, Year, Make, and Model.
Next fill out the full name of the seller. Seller’s name must be PRINTED. This means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME.
Then fill out the full name of the buyer. The buyer’s name must be PRINTED. This means to use only Capital Letters to write BUYER’S NAME. Following complete the sale date and the price. If it’s a gift write the word GIFT in the selling price field. Also if it’s a gift you need to indicate the relationship with the buyer (e.g. parent, spouse, friend):
Section 2
The second section contains the Seller information. First fill out the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED. So this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Then fill out seller’s signature and signing date. Next fill out seller’s mailing address, city, state, ZIP code and phone number.
Section 3
In the third section you need to fill out the Buyer information. So fill out first the full name of the buyer. The buyer’s name must be PRINTED. Again here use only Capital Letters to write BUYER’S NAME. Next fill out buyer’s signature and signing date. Finally fill out buyer’s mailing address, city, state, ZIP code and phone number:
Section 4
The fourth section is reserved for Notary use if your county treasurer requires notarization. So check first with your county treasurer:
You have the option to fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand also. However don’t forget to use a pen and not a pencil! If you are filling out this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
View more about the Iowa Motor Vehicle Division
For more information go to Iowa Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division
The Iowa Department of Transportation advocates for and delivers a modern transportation system. In the long run this system provides pathways for the social and economic vitality of Iowa, getting the customer’s where they need to go safely, efficiently, and conveniently.