Recreational Vehicles

Recorder

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~Renew ORV/ATV/Snowmobiles by December 31 to avoid a late penalty~

Helpful Documents

General Bill of Sale

Purchasing ATVs & Snowmobiles

New or Used From a Dealer

If you purchase a new or used snowmobile or ATV from a dealer, then the registration is to be completed by the dealer.

Sale Between Private Parties (Previously Registered)

Iowa Registered:

Registration does NOT need to be current to transfer ownership but a $5 penalty may apply
Registration receipt or screen print from an Iowa County Recorders office
Title signed by seller*
Bill of Sale signed by seller listing purchase price. Sales Tax will be collected on the purchase price.
Application for Registration (obtained at local County Recorder’s office)

*If the Title has a notation regarding a lien, the lien MUST be released by the County Recorder listed on the title.

Registered Out of State:

Need Registration and/or Title from the previous state signed by seller
Bill of Sale signed by seller listing purchase price. Sales Tax will be collected on the purchase price.
Application for Registration (obtained at local County Recorder’s office)

Never Registered in Any State

Contact the Crawford County Recorder at (712) 263 3643 or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at (515) 281-5918 for instructions.

*A used vehicle in possession of a Snow/ATV dealer when registration expired will NOT pay the $5.00 penalty fee.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is subject to change by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. If you have any questions, please contact us or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Purchasing Boats or Personal Watercraft

Casual Sales (Between Individuals)

See below if purchasing from a dealer.

Used Vessel – Registered in Iowa

Registration does NOT need to be current to transfer ownership, but a $5 penalty may apply.

Documentation Required:

Registration signed by seller OR screenprint from an Iowa County Recorder’s office
Title, if previously titled, signed on the back by seller*
Bill of Sale signed by seller listing purchase price of VESSEL ONLY. Iowa State sales tax will be collected on the purchase price.
Application for Registration (Obtained at Recorder’s office).

*If the Title has a notation regarding a lien, the lien MUST be released by the County Recorder’s office listed on the title.

Used Vessel – Registered in Another State

Documentation Required:

Registration signed by the seller, if required by the previous state
Title, if previously titled, signed by seller
Bill of Sale signed by seller listing purchase price of VESSEL ONLY. Sales tax will be collected on the purchase price.
Application for Registration (Obtained at County Recorder’s office)

Used vessels previously registered in another state will pay the fees listed for “New Vessel Fees” on reverse side, prorated by date of registration, plus any penalty, title or lien fees.

A Vessel Never Registered in Any State

Contact the Crawford County Recorder at (712) 263 3643 or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at (515) 281-5918 for instructions.

New Vessel From a Dealer

Documents will be provided by the dealer, which includes:

MCO/MSO – Manufacturers Certificate/Statement of Origin (if required)
Bill of Sale – Must show the amount of sales tax collected by dealer or sales tax will be collected by the County Recorder’s office.
Application for Registration
Fees are based on the date of registration and length

Used Vessel From Dealer

Registered in Iowa:
Registration does NOT need to be current to transfer ownership.

Documentation Required:

Registration signed by seller OR screenprint from an Iowa County Recorder’s office
Title, if previously titled, signed on the back by seller*
Bill of Sale listing tax collected by the dealer
Application for Registration

*If the Title has a notation regarding a lien, the lien MUST be released by the County Recorder’s office listed on the title.

*If registration was expired when the dealer took possession of the boat there will be a $5.00 penalty added to the fees listed above.

Used Vessel From Dealer Registered in Another State:

Documentation Required:

Registration signed by the seller, if required by the previous state
Title, if previously titled, signed by seller
Bill of Sale listing tax collected by the dealer
Application for Registration

Used vessels previously registered in another state will pay the fees listed for “New Vessel Fees” prorated by date of registration, plus any title or lien fees.