Motor Vehicles

Motor Vehicle Renewals
Motor Vehicle Title Transfers
Selling a Vehicle
Replacement Title
New to Iowa?
Dealer Licenses & Information

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
4:00 pm is the latest time for title transfers.

A Bill of Sale will be REQUIRED for all title transfers. (including gifts, family transfers, etc.)

Motor Vehicle Renewals

Pay Online with PIN

Motor vehicle registration is due annually. Your registration month can be changed once through the life of ownership (i.e. vehicles cannot be renewed six months at a time).
Courtesy registration renewal reminder notices are mailed the month before registration is due.
There is a three month window to renew; the month before your sticker date, the month of your sticker date or the month after your sticker date. You can drive in Iowa without being penalized during this time.
The following vehicles NOT allowed to renew online include:
- IRP (prorate),
- Firefighter vehicles due to the annual certification,
- Personalized plates that have been expired for more than 30 days,
- Customers with outstanding debts.

Payment Methods

In office you may pay with Cash, Check or Credit Card (cards accepted for an additional fee)
- 24/7 Dropbox - Located outside of the Annex building
- Accepted credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Discover
Mail (if at the end of the month, mail must be postmarked to not incur penalties)
Online through iowatreasurers.org

Checks should be made out to Madison County Treasurer. All returned checks or online payments are assessed an additional charge of $25.00. Checks must have an American Bank Association (ABA) routing number. Foreign checks will not be accepted.

If renewing online, you must have your PIN. Your PIN is located on your renewal notice. If you do not have this renewal notice, please call or email our office.
Please note, this pin is specific to you and should not change, therefore the same PIN can be used annually.

Postage

Postage for mailing is $5.00 for replacement license plates or $1.00 per registration. The renewal reminder notices that get mailed out, have the postage included in the listed amount due. If you pay at the counter, we will deduct that postage fee.

Motor Vehicle Title Transfers

A Bill of Sale is be REQUIRED for all title transfers in Madison County. New title paper will include a bill of sale section on the back of the titles. You must either have a separate bill of sale or have this section on the title completed.

Autos, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles, campers, mobile homes, and trailers greater than 2,001 lbs are titled within the state of Iowa.
Trailers less than or equal to 2,000 lbs are issued registration only.
30 Days - New owners have 30 days from the date of purchase to change their title. Penalties start after 30 days.
Driving without plates - New owners can drive their new vehicle for 30 days from purchase date without plates on as long as previous owners had current registration.
- The owner must carry properly assigned title or bill of sale and proof of insurance if stopped by law enforcement.
APPLICATION FOR NEW TITLE - All title transfers require a completed and signed application for certificate of Iowa title and/or registration (Form 411007).
Odometer - Written mileage certification is required for vehicles that are a 2010 model and newer Odometer Disclosure Statement
Damage Disclosure Statement required for vehicles 7 years and newer

Salvage Titles

We understand you aren't always able to come into the office. We can assist you with completing a title transfer a couple of different ways:

You may call 515-462-1542 with your title transfer paperwork and drivers license in hand and we can help you calculate the fees and tell you the forms that will be required to transfer. You could then mail in your paperwork with payment, or have someone bring it in on your behalf.
You may email copies of the title paperwork. Be sure to include a phone number in case we have questions. Via a return phone call or email we can help you calculate the fees and tell you the forms that will be required to transfer. You could then mail in your paperwork with payment, leave it in our dropbox or have someone bring it to our office on your behalf.
You can complete the required title paperwork and forms and have someone else bring the documents to our office to complete the transaction and pay. If you choose this route, you'll need to be sure you have the required forms completed prior. Please call us at 515-462-1542 with any questions.

Please note, all title transfers require a completed and signed application for certificate of Iowa title and/or registration (Form 411007).

In order for us to calculate fees and determine what forms are needed, please be prepared to provide the following information for us:

What is the purchase price of the vehicle? A bill of sale is required for every title transfer.
Is the vehicle 7 years old or newer? If yes, you will need to complete an Iowa Damage Disclosure Statement (Form Form 411108)
Is the vehicle a 2011 or newer model? If yes, you will need to provide the current odometer in the space provided on the title assignment.
Do you need new license plates? If so, in what month do you want your sticker due? If you are transferring plates from a sold vehicle, please provide us that Iowa license plate number.
Is there a lienholder? If so, please provide the correct name, address, and FEIN of your bank, credit union, or other entity.
Do you have a bill of sale? This is a requirement for all title transfers.

Once the fees are calculated and the forms are completed, you can leave these in the 24/7 dropbox outside of our building, or mail the paperwork to us at Madison County Treasurer, Madison County Annex, 201 W. Court, P.O. Box 152, Winterset, IA 50273. You may also pay over the phone by credit card for a 2.25% fee.

Bonded Titles

The bonded title process has recently changed and are now handled through the Iowa DOT website. The bonded title time frame starts at about 6 weeks and goes out from there. If you are able to obtain a replacement title from the previous owner(s), that is your easiest route, however, we understand that is not always possible.

Bonded Title Application

Selling a Vehicle

Complete the Assignment of Title section on the back of the title, including:
- Date of Sale
- Name and address of the buyer
- Odometer reading if the vehicle is 20 years or newer (beginning with vehicles from the 2011 model year)
- Damage disclosure (if the vehicle is 7 years and newer)
- Print and sign your name(s) as seller
Complete a Bill of Sale, including:
- The date of sale
- The purchase price
- Year, Make, and Model
- The name(s) of buyer(s)
- The seller(s) signature (the bill of sale does not need to be notarized)
ALWAYS take the license plates off the vehicle and return them to our office.
- This is how we can apply for a refund for any unused registration for $10 or more.
- Even if there is no refund, this is the only way we can get those license plates out of your name.
- If the new owner(s) drives away with your license plates on the vehicle, there could be a liability for an accident, ticket or other occurrences they might be involved in.

Refunds

ALWAYS TAKE THE LICENSE PLATES OFF THE VEHICLE and return them to our office.

With the license plates, you can apply for a refund for any unused registration for $10 or more.
Even if there is no refund, this is the only way we can remove those license plates from your name. If the new owner(s) drives away with your license plates on the vehicle, there could be a liability for an accident, ticket or other criminal occurrences they might be involved in. TAKE YOUR PLATES OFF!
Bysigning the title and issuing a bill of sale to the new owner(s), the buyer is able to drive the vehicle within the state of Iowa for 30 days from the date of purchase.

Did you move out of state and want a refund for your unused Iowa Registration?

Register your vehicle(s) in your new state of residence.
Make a copy of your new states registration for your vehicle(s).
Mail your license plates back to us with a copy of that new states registration.
Make sure you include your most current phone number or email in the event we have questions.
Address for mailing is located at the very bottom.
Refunds will be issued by the State of Iowa and can take anywhere from 3 - 8 weeks.

Replacement Title

Complete the Replacement Title Application. All owners listed on the title must sign the application.
If the title has a lien, the Replacement Title Application will be completed by the lienholder.
If the title is lost, the replacement title will be held for a 5-day waiting period. If the title is available and returned with the Replacement Title Application, the Replacement Title will be issued the same day.
A $25 Replacement Title fee is due.

Replacement Title Application

New to Iowa?

Iowa requires vehicles to be registered with 30 days of residency, even though you may have valid plates in another state. Contact your previous state to claim any refund and dispose of plates.

Your out-of-state title, or a copy of your title, or your out-of-state registration and
Completed and signed application for certificate of Iowa title and/or registration (Form 411007) by all owners.

Certificate of Iowa title and/or Registration Application

Iowa law requires you to register your motor vehicle within the county that you reside within 30 days of the date you establish residency. Iowa registration is required even though you still have valid license plates in another state. For disposal of your previous states license plates, you will want to contact them directly. They may also offer a refund for a portion of the unused registration.

If you are providing an out-of-state registration or a copy of your out-of-state title, you will be required to obtain an Iowa title if /when you sell the vehicle in Iowa. If your title is at a lienholder, you may contact them to notify them of your change of residency and request the title be mailed to us for updating. You can always wait until the vehicle is paid in full and bring the title in at that time.

Fees are as follows:

Iowa Title Fee = $25.00
Iowa Lien Fee = $10.00
Iowa Registration = Variable.
In Iowa, vehicle rates are based on make, model, year, weight and list price. However, vehicles that are 12 years or older are a flat rate of $50/year. You may call or email our office with the VIN of your vehicle to verify the annual fee.

Is this a leased vehicle? If your vehicle is a leased vehicle, the lessee will need to complete the application for certificate of title and/or registration for a leased vehicle (Iowa DOT Form 411179) to receive plates and registration.

Dealer Licenses & Information

If you’re interested in becoming a licensed motor vehicle dealer within the state of Iowa, please find more information directly from the Iowa DOT on their website or you can receive more information by contacting motor vehicle enforcement at 866-908-4636 or by email.