Iowa Bill of Sale

Iowa bill of sale forms by item

Each form below asks only for what that item needs, and carries Iowa's notary note and agency details in the footer.

• Iowa Vehicle Bill of SaleProves the sale date, so the seller is off the hook for tickets, tolls and accidents after the handoff.
• Iowa Motorcycle Bill of SaleMotorcycles change hands often and informally; a signed bill of sale settles who owned the bike on which date.
• Iowa Boat Bill of SaleBoats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
• Iowa Trailer Bill of SaleMany trailers under a certain weight are not titled, so the bill of sale is the ownership record.
• Iowa Firearm Bill of SaleProves the date the firearm changed hands if it later turns up somewhere it should not.
• Iowa Mobile Home Bill of SaleMobile homes are titled like vehicles in most states; the bill of sale supports the title transfer.
• Iowa RV Bill of SaleRVs are high-value and often sold with generators, hitches and furnishings that should be listed.
• Iowa ATV / UTV Bill of SaleOff-highway vehicles are often sold without a title, so the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
• Iowa Dirt Bike Bill of SaleMost dirt bikes have no title; this document is the ownership record.
• Iowa Golf Cart Bill of SaleGolf carts are rarely titled; the bill of sale is proof of ownership.
• Iowa Jet Ski Bill of SaleBoat registration offices want the price for tax and the HIN for the record.
• Iowa Snowmobile Bill of SaleSnow states register snowmobiles and tax the purchase price.
• Iowa Scooter / Moped Bill of SaleScooters over the state's cc limit are titled and registered like motorcycles.
• Iowa Equipment Bill of SaleBusinesses need a bill of sale to book the asset and claim depreciation.
• Iowa Tractor Bill of SaleTractors are not titled; this is the ownership paper.
• Iowa Horse Bill of SaleBreed registries (AQHA, APHA, Jockey Club and others) need it to transfer papers.
• Iowa Dog Bill of SaleProof of ownership for licensing, vet records and microchip registration.
• Iowa Livestock Bill of SaleBrand inspection states will not clear cattle for movement or sale without proof of ownership.
• Iowa General Bill of SaleA written receipt for anything worth arguing about.
• Iowa Business Bill of SaleTransfers the assets at closing in one signed document.

Selling privately in Iowa: what to know

Iowa requires a bill of sale for a private sale unless the county's newer title certificate includes a Transfer/Sale Date section that serves as one; without a bill of sale the county treasurer values the vehicle from a price guide. The title must be delivered at the time of sale and transferred by the buyer within 30 days. Plates stay with the seller.

• Bill of sale: required for private sales.
• Notary: notarization optional.
• Official form: none published.
• Agency: Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division.
• Odometer: federal disclosure applies to vehicles under 20 model years old, on the title or a separate statement.

Want the paperwork finished in one sitting? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds seller and buyer copies, the odometer statement and a Iowa notary page.