Iowa Firearm Bill of Sale

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

State

Iowa

What is being sold

Firearm Bill of Sale

Seller

Full name

Street address

City, state, ZIP

Phone

Driver's license or ID number (optional)

Buyer

Full name

Street address

City, state, ZIP

Phone

Driver's license or ID number (optional)

Firearm details

Make

Model

Caliber / gauge

Type

Serial number

Included accessories

Price and terms

Payment

Sale price ($)

Date of sale

Sold as-is, no warranty. Recommended for every private sale. Add two witness signature lines

Known defects or extra terms (optional)

How to sell a firearm in Iowa

A firearm bill of sale records a private gun sale: the make, model, caliber and serial number, the price, the date, and a statement from each party that the sale is legal where it is taking place. It is the seller's proof that the firearm left their possession on a specific date.

Seller steps

Confirm you hold clear ownership. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
Agree on the price and fill in the Iowa firearm bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Iowa does not require a notary.
Check Iowa's private-sale rules. If the state requires a background check or a licensed-dealer transfer, complete that step before the firearm changes hands.
Hand over the firearm and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

Check the description against the firearm itself before you sign.
Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
If you bought it for a business, give the bill of sale to your bookkeeper for the asset record.

Before you sign

Copy the serial number exactly; letters and numbers like O/0 and I/1 cause problems.
Check your state's private-sale rules first. Several states require a background check through a licensed dealer for private sales.
Record a government ID number for the buyer only if your state requires it; otherwise ID type and state is enough.
Both parties sign and keep a copy.

Why a bill of sale matters for a firearm

Proves the date the firearm changed hands if it later turns up somewhere it should not.
Records the serial number so the buyer can show lawful ownership.
Includes a buyer eligibility statement, which many sellers insist on.
Some states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer; the bill of sale travels with that paperwork.

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)

Buyer's deadline to title: 30 days from the sale
License plates: Stay with seller

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.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Iowa forms

Firearm Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Iowa firearm bill of sale questions

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

Iowa requires a bill of sale for private sales. 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. Iowa has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Iowa firearm 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.

Does the buyer need to file a firearm bill of sale in Iowa?+

No. Firearms are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy. Check Iowa's private-sale rules, since some states require a licensed-dealer transfer or background check.

Is a bill of sale required for a private gun sale?+

Federal law does not require one for sales between residents of the same state, but a growing number of states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer with a background check. Check your state's rules on the state page before selling.

Should a firearm bill of sale be notarized?+

It is not required anywhere, but some sellers choose to notarize it for a stronger record. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary block.