Selling or buying a used car in Iowa? One small piece of paper stands between you and a clean, legal transfer: the bill of sale. Since 2020, Iowa has required this document for nearly every private vehicle sale in the state, and getting it wrong can slow down your title transfer or leave you without proof of the deal.

This guide walks through everything you need to know about the Iowa bill of sale — what it is, what it must include, what it costs to transfer a title, and how to avoid the most common mistakes sellers make. Whether you're selling a car to a neighbor, buying your teenager's first vehicle, or trading with a family member, the same rules apply, and skipping the paperwork can create real headaches down the road. If you're ready to list your vehicle, KarKiosk makes it easy to connect with real buyers directly, without a dealer markup eating into your sale price.

What Is an Iowa Bill of Sale?

A bill of sale is a signed, written record of a vehicle sale between a buyer and a seller. It captures who sold what, to whom, for how much, and when. Unlike the title, which proves legal ownership, the bill of sale proves that a specific transaction actually happened on a specific date and at a specific price.

Iowa treats this document as more than a formality. Since January 1, 2020, state law has required a bill of sale for every private-party vehicle title transfer in Iowa, including transfers between family members and gifted vehicles. The Iowa Department of Transportation confirms that a bill of sale is required for vehicle sales, and county treasurer offices across the state — including Polk County — have echoed this rule directly. Polk County's Treasurer's Office notes that the requirement comes from Iowa Department of Revenue rule 34.2(3), which exists specifically to verify the accuracy of the purchase price reported on every vehicle transferred in the state, since that price determines how much registration fee is owed.

Before 2020, Iowa treated the bill of sale as a good idea rather than a hard requirement. Some sellers skipped it, relying on the title alone to document ownership. That created a gap: county treasurers had no reliable way to confirm the actual purchase price of a vehicle, which meant registration fees could be underreported. The 2020 rule closed that gap, and it's now a routine part of every title transfer appointment across Iowa's 99 counties.

Is a Bill of Sale Legally Required in Iowa?

Yes. Every Iowa county treasurer's office will tell you the same thing: no bill of sale, no title transfer. This applies whether you're selling to a stranger, a family member, or gifting the car outright.

A few points worth knowing:

• The requirement applies to cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, campers, and trailers over 2,001 pounds.

• It applies even when no money changes hands, such as a gift between relatives.

• The purchase price on the bill of sale must match the price reported on the title application, since Iowa County Treasurer's Office confirms the bill of sale substantiates the price for road use tax purposes.

What Information Must an Iowa Bill of Sale Include?

Iowa doesn't require a single mandatory state form, but county treasurer offices are specific about the details your bill of sale needs. At minimum, it should include:

• Full legal name of the seller

• Full legal name of the buyer

• Vehicle make, model, and model year

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• Date of sale

• Purchase price

• Signature of the seller (and ideally the buyer)

Some counties also recommend notarizing the document, and it's good practice to note the odometer reading at the time of sale, even when a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement is required. You can find a state-recognized template through the Iowa DOT's Buy & Sell Vehicles resource page, which links directly to the standard bill of sale form used across Iowa counties.

It helps to think of the bill of sale as a snapshot of the deal, separate from the title. The title tells the county who legally owns the car today. The bill of sale tells them how that ownership changed hands — and for how much. Both documents need to agree with each other, right down to the VIN and the sale price, or your visit to the treasurer's office could take longer than expected.

Iowa Bill of Sale vs. Title: What's the Difference?

Buyers and sellers sometimes assume the title alone is enough. It isn't. The two documents do different jobs, and Iowa requires both.

Iowa Title Transfer Fees and Costs

Iowa doesn't charge a traditional sales tax on vehicle purchases. Instead, it applies a "fee for new registration," which functions the same way. As of January 1, 2025, several related fees increased under House File 674, and the Iowa State County Treasurers Association confirms the base title fee rose from $25 to $35.

Here's what to expect at the county treasurer's office:

• Fee for new registration: $10, plus 5% of the net purchase price (purchase price minus any trade-in value)

• Title fee: $35

• Lien notation fee (if financed): $10

• Annual registration: Based on vehicle weight and original list price, tapering down as the vehicle ages

How Long Do You Have to Transfer an Iowa Title?

Buyers have 30 days from the purchase date to bring the properly signed title, along with the completed bill of sale, to their county treasurer's office. Penalties apply once that window closes. During those 30 days, the buyer can legally drive the vehicle without new plates, but only if they carry either the signed bill of sale or the assigned title, plus proof of insurance, in case they're stopped. Woodbury County's Treasurer's Office confirms this 30-day allowance applies as long as the previous owner's registration was current at the time of sale.

If you're moving to a new county within Iowa, note that registration and title records follow you, but you're responsible for reporting an address change within 10 days, per the Iowa DOT's vehicle registration guidance.

For sellers, the 30-day clock is also a reminder to close the loop on your end. Once you've handed over the signed title and bill of sale, file a Notice of Sale with your county treasurer. This form puts the sale on record with the state and helps protect you if the buyer is ever pulled over, gets a parking ticket, or is involved in an incident before the title is officially transferred into their name.

Protecting Yourself From Odometer Fraud

A bill of sale that records the odometer reading at the time of sale isn't just a formality — it's a real layer of protection for the buyer. Odometer fraud remains a persistent, expensive problem nationally. The U.S. Department of Justice notes that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates odometer fraud costs American consumers more than $1 billion annually, a figure that reflects how widespread mileage tampering still is across the used-vehicle market.

For Iowa buyers, this makes two small steps worth the extra minute: cross-check the odometer figure on the bill of sale against the title and any service records, and never accept a vehicle with a mismatched or altered odometer disclosure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving the price blank or vague. County treasurers will flag a bill of sale that doesn't match the reported purchase price.

• Forgetting to sign both copies. Buyer and seller should each walk away with a signed original or copy.

• Skipping the VIN check. A single mistyped character can cause delays at the treasurer's office.

• Not keeping a personal copy. If a dispute comes up months later, your copy is your proof.

• Assuming a text message or verbal agreement counts. Iowa treasurer offices require the written bill of sale — nothing less.

• Waiting until the last minute to file the Notice of Sale. Sellers who delay this step remain on record as the registered owner longer than necessary.

• Overlooking the damage disclosure requirement. Vehicles seven model years or newer need this form in addition to the bill of sale, and missing it can hold up the buyer's title application.

Where to List Your Car in Iowa

Once your paperwork is in order, the next step is finding the right buyer. KarKiosk is built specifically for private car sales, letting Iowa sellers list their vehicle, connect with serious buyers, and close the deal without dealer fees cutting into the final price. Having your bill of sale, title, and disclosure forms ready before you list makes the whole process move faster once a buyer is interested.