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Iowa Boat Bill of Sale

Iowa requires a bill of sale for private sales. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Iowa boat bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Iowa Department of Transportation looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Iowa
Boat Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Boat details

Price and terms

How to sell a boat in Iowa

A boat bill of sale identifies the vessel by its Hull Identification Number (HIN), covers the motor and trailer if they are part of the deal, and records the price and date. Most states register boats through the wildlife or parks agency rather than the DMV, and nearly all of them accept a signed bill of sale as proof of purchase.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Iowa boat bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the HIN.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Iowa does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the boat has one.
  5. Hand over the boat and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale, the signed title and your ID to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Iowa's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The HIN is on the transom (back right corner), 12 characters.
  • List the outboard motor separately with its serial number; motors are often registered or titled on their own.
  • If a trailer is included, add its VIN; the trailer is titled through the DMV, not the boat office.
  • Note whether the sale includes electronics, life jackets or other gear.

Why a bill of sale matters for a boat

  • Boats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
  • The state boat registration office needs the price for tax.
  • Many used boats have no title; the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
  • An as-is clause matters more on boats, where hidden hull or engine damage is common.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

Iowa at a glance

Bill of sale
Required for private sales
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers
Iowa Department of Transportation (iowadot.gov/mvd)

Iowa requires a bill of sale for any private vehicle sale so the county treasurer can collect the one-time registration fee.

Other Iowa forms

Boat Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Iowa boat bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in Iowa?+

Iowa requires a bill of sale for private sales. Iowa requires a bill of sale for any private vehicle sale so the county treasurer can collect the one-time registration fee. Iowa has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Iowa boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Iowa does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Iowa?+

To the Iowa Department of Transportation (Motor Vehicle Division) or the county office that handles vessel registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

A handful of states ask for a notarized bill of sale on vessels without a title. Check the state registration page linked on each state page here, or use the notary block in the ready-to-sign pack.

Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?+

You can list the trailer on the same document, but some DMVs want a separate bill of sale for the trailer because it is titled separately. Generate one on the trailer page in a minute.