Part 1 - Party Identification
IOWA VEHICLE BILL OF SALE
Date of Sale: [[Date of Sale]]
SELLER
Full Legal Name: [[Seller Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Seller Street Address]], [[Seller City]], Iowa [[Seller ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Seller Phone Number]]
Email: [[Seller Email Address]]
Driver's License Number / State: [[Seller Driver's License Number]] / [[Seller DL Issuing State]]
BUYER
Full Legal Name: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Buyer Street Address]], [[Buyer City]], [[Buyer State]] [[Buyer ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Buyer Phone Number]]
Email: [[Buyer Email Address]]
Driver's License Number / State: [[Buyer Driver's License Number]] / [[Buyer DL Issuing State]]
CO-BUYER (if applicable)
Full Legal Name: [[Co-Buyer Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Co-Buyer Street Address]], [[Co-Buyer City]], [[Co-Buyer State]] [[Co-Buyer ZIP Code]]
Driver's License Number / State: [[Co-Buyer Driver's License Number]] / [[Co-Buyer DL Issuing State]]
Part 2 - Full Vehicle Identification
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Year | [[Vehicle Year]] |
| Make | [[Vehicle Make]] |
| Model | [[Vehicle Model]] |
| Body Style | [[Vehicle Body Style (e.g., Sedan / SUV / Pickup / Coupe)]] |
| Exterior Color | [[Vehicle Exterior Color]] |
| Interior Color | [[Vehicle Interior Color]] |
| VIN (17 Characters) | [[Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)]] |
| Current License Plate | [[Current License Plate Number]] / [[Plate State]] |
| Title Number | [[Iowa Certificate of Title Number]] |
| Title-Issuing State | [[Title-Issuing State]] |
> The VIN must match the vehicle's dashboard plate, door jamb sticker, and the existing certificate of title. Discrepancies must be resolved with the Iowa DOT or county treasurer before sale.
Part 3 - Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement
> Required by Federal Law - 49 U.S.C. § 32705 and 49 C.F.R. Part 580 (Truth in Mileage Act)
>
> Federal law requires the seller to disclose the cumulative mileage registered on the vehicle's odometer at the time of transfer. Failure to complete this disclosure or providing a false statement may result in civil liability and criminal penalties under 49 U.S.C. § 32709 (fines up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 years per violation).
Vehicle: [[Vehicle Year]] [[Vehicle Make]] [[Vehicle Model]]
VIN: [[Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)]]
Odometer Reading at Time of Transfer: [[Odometer Reading at Transfer]] miles
I, [[Seller Full Legal Name]], state that the odometer of the above-described vehicle now reads [[Odometer Reading at Transfer]] miles and to the best of my knowledge that it reflects the (select one):
- [ ] ACTUAL MILEAGE - The odometer reading is the actual accumulated mileage of the vehicle.
- [ ] MILEAGE EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS - The odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage. WARNING: The odometer has turned over and the reading shown is less than the actual mileage.
- [ ] ODOMETER READING IS NOT THE ACTUAL MILEAGE - WARNING: The odometer has been tampered with or is otherwise inaccurate; the actual mileage is unknown.
Odometer Exemption (check if applicable):
- [ ] EXEMPT - This vehicle is exempt from federal odometer disclosure because it is [[check one]]:
- [ ] A vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding 16,000 pounds.
- [ ] A vehicle manufactured 20 or more model years before the calendar year of transfer. (Exemption age threshold: 20 model years, per 49 C.F.R. § 580.17, as amended by MAP-21 and the FAST Act.)
- [ ] A new vehicle transferred prior to its first retail sale.
- [ ] A vehicle sold to or by a qualifying government entity or insurer acquiring ownership through casualty claim.
> Note: The 20-model-year exemption means that in calendar year [[Calendar Year of Sale]], vehicles from model year [[Exempt Model Year Cutoff]] and older are exempt from federal odometer disclosure. Prior to the FAST Act (2012), the threshold was 10 years - the 20-year rule now applies.
Seller Odometer Certification:
I certify under penalty of law that the odometer reading stated above is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Seller Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date of Odometer Certification]]
Printed Name: [[Seller Full Legal Name]]
Buyer Odometer Acknowledgment:
I, [[Buyer Full Legal Name]], acknowledge receipt of the odometer disclosure and understand the accuracy statement made by the seller.
Buyer Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date of Buyer Odometer Acknowledgment]]
Part 4 - Sale Price and Payment
Purchase Price: $[[Total Purchase Price]]
Iowa Use Tax Notice: Iowa imposes a 5% use tax (Iowa Code § 423.2) on the purchase price of motor vehicles acquired from private sellers. This tax is paid by the buyer to the county treasurer's office at the time of title transfer - it is NOT collected by the seller. Example: a $[[Total Purchase Price]] vehicle incurs an estimated use tax of $[[Iowa Use Tax Estimate (5% of price)]].
| Payment Item | Amount |
|---|
| Vehicle Purchase Price | $[[Total Purchase Price]] |
| Less: Deposit / Earnest Money (if any) | - $[[Deposit Amount (if any)]] |
| Balance Due at Signing / Delivery | $[[Balance Due at Signing]] |
Method of Payment:
- [ ] Cash - Buyer pays $[[Total Purchase Price]] in cash at the time of delivery.
- [ ] Certified Check / Cashier's Check - Payable to [[Seller Full Legal Name]], check number [[Check Number]].
- [ ] Bank Wire Transfer - Wired to [[Seller Bank Account or Institution]] on [[Wire Transfer Date]].
- [ ] Other: [[Describe Payment Method and Terms]]
Payment Confirmation: Seller acknowledges receipt of $[[Total Purchase Price]] from Buyer as full and final payment for the vehicle described in Part 2. Seller confirms that no additional amounts are owed under this bill of sale.
Seller Initials Confirming Payment Received: _______
Buyer Initials Confirming Payment Made: _______
Part 5 - Condition: As-Is / No Warranty or Warranty Terms
Select one - this selection is binding:
Option A - As-Is / No Warranty (Standard for Private-Party Sales)
THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD AS-IS - NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
The vehicle described in this bill of sale is sold as-is, where-is, in its present condition, with all faults and defects, whether known or unknown to the seller. The seller makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, title (other than as set forth in Part 6), or freedom from defects of the vehicle. The buyer has had the opportunity to inspect the vehicle and/or obtain an independent mechanical inspection prior to purchase. The buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition and assumes full risk and responsibility for the vehicle from the moment of delivery.
Implied Warranty Disclaimer: All implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability and the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby disclaimed to the fullest extent permitted by Iowa law (Iowa Code § 554.2316 - Uniform Commercial Code, Article 2).
[ ] Buyer initials confirming as-is purchase: ______ / ______
Option B - Seller's Limited Warranty (if offered)
The seller provides the following limited warranty covering the vehicle for a period of [[Warranty Period (e.g., 30 days / 90 days)]] from the date of delivery:
| Component Covered | Coverage Period | Coverage Details |
|---|
| [[Warranty Component 1]] | [[Coverage Period]] | [[Coverage Description]] |
| [[Warranty Component 2]] | [[Coverage Period]] | [[Coverage Description]] |
| [[Warranty Component 3]] | [[Coverage Period]] | [[Coverage Description]] |
Excluded from warranty: Normal wear and tear, damage caused by buyer's misuse or neglect, consumable items (tires, brakes, filters, fluids), and pre-existing conditions disclosed in Part 6.
Option C - Manufacturer's Remaining Warranty
The vehicle carries the manufacturer's original warranty. Remaining warranty coverage: [[Remaining Manufacturer Warranty Description (e.g., "Bumper-to-bumper through 3/2026 or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first")]]. Buyer is advised to verify transferability of any manufacturer warranty directly with the manufacturer's customer service.
Part 6 - Title and Lien Status
6.1 Seller's Title Representation
Seller represents and warrants that:
- Seller is the lawful owner of the vehicle described in Part 2 and has full legal right and authority to sell and transfer title to the vehicle.
- The vehicle is free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, and claims of any third party, except as disclosed below.
- Seller will deliver the Iowa certificate of title, properly assigned and signed in the seller's name, to the buyer at the time of sale (or within the time permitted by Iowa Code § 321.45).
- Seller is not aware of any outstanding judgments, tax liens, or legal proceedings that affect title to the vehicle.
Existing Liens / Encumbrances:
- [ ] No liens - The vehicle is clear of all liens and encumbrances. Seller holds the original title and will deliver it to buyer at time of sale.
- [ ] Lien exists - The vehicle is subject to a lien held by: [[Lien Holder Name]], account number [[Lien Account Number]]. Seller agrees to pay off the outstanding lien balance of approximately $[[Estimated Payoff Amount]] on or before [[Payoff Deadline Date]] and deliver a clear title to buyer no later than [[Clear Title Delivery Deadline]]. Buyer's funds shall be held in escrow or the transaction shall not close until a lien release is confirmed in writing.
6.2 Known Defects and Disclosure
Seller discloses the following known material defects, damage, or conditions (describe fully or write "None known"):
[[Known Material Defects, Damage, or Conditions - or "None known to seller as of the date of this bill of sale"]]
Seller discloses the following accident, fire, flood, or salvage history known to seller:
[[Accident / Fire / Flood / Salvage History - or "None known to seller"]]
Seller discloses whether the vehicle has been declared a total loss, issued a salvage or rebuilt title, or has an active safety recall:
[[Salvage / Rebuilt / Total Loss / Recall Status - or "None to seller's knowledge"]]
Part 7 - Iowa Title Transfer Steps
After signing this bill of sale and taking delivery, the buyer must complete the following steps to legally transfer title in Iowa:
- Obtain the assigned certificate of title from the seller. The seller must sign the back of the Iowa certificate of title in the "Seller's Signature" section and complete the odometer disclosure on the title (if applicable). The title assignment must include the buyer's name, sale date, and sale price.
- Bring required documents to the county treasurer's office. The buyer must appear at the county treasurer's office in the county where the buyer resides, bringing: (a) the signed, assigned title; (b) this signed bill of sale; (c) government-issued photo ID; (d) proof of Iowa auto insurance (minimum 20/40/15 liability per Iowa Code § 321A.1); and (e) payment for taxes and fees.
- Pay the Iowa use tax. Iowa imposes a 5% use tax (Iowa Code § 423.2) on the purchase price of motor vehicles acquired from private parties (out-of-state purchases may be subject to the use tax as well). This is paid to the county treasurer at title transfer, not to the seller.
- Pay title and registration fees. Current Iowa title fee: $25 for vehicles up to 8 years old; $10 for vehicles over 8 years old (Iowa Code § 321.52; fees subject to change - verify with county treasurer).
- Complete the title application. The buyer completes an Iowa application for certificate of title (Form 411007 or equivalent) available at the county treasurer's office.
- Receive the new Iowa certificate of title. The county treasurer processes the application and issues a new Iowa certificate of title in the buyer's name (and lien holder's name, if applicable).
- Complete lien notation (if financed). If the buyer financed the purchase, the lender's name must be listed on the title as first lien holder. The county treasurer records the lien on the title.
- Out-of-state titles. If the vehicle has an out-of-state title, the buyer must surrender it to the county treasurer and may need to obtain a VIN inspection. Contact the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division for current requirements.
> All fees and procedures are current as of June 2026. Verify current fee schedules and forms with your Iowa county treasurer's office or at the Iowa DOT website: iowadot.gov.
Part 8 - Signatures and Notarization
8.1 Seller Signature
By signing below, the seller certifies that: (1) they are the lawful owner with authority to sell the vehicle; (2) the information provided in this bill of sale is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge; (3) the odometer disclosure in Part 3 is accurate; and (4) the vehicle is sold under the condition terms selected in Part 5.
Seller Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Seller Signs]]
Printed Name: [[Seller Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Seller Street Address, City, Iowa ZIP]]
8.2 Buyer Signature
By signing below, the buyer acknowledges: (1) receipt of the vehicle and any documents listed below; (2) review and acceptance of the odometer disclosure; (3) acceptance of the condition terms selected in Part 5; and (4) understanding that they are responsible for paying Iowa use tax and completing title transfer within 30 days.
Buyer Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Buyer Signs]]
Printed Name: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Buyer Street Address, City, State, ZIP]]
8.3 Co-Buyer Signature (if applicable)
Co-Buyer Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Co-Buyer Signs]]
Printed Name: [[Co-Buyer Full Legal Name]]
8.4 Witness (Recommended)
Witness Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Witness Signs]]
Witness Printed Name: [[Witness Full Name]]
Witness Address: [[Witness Street Address, City, State, ZIP]]
8.5 Notary Acknowledgment (Optional - Recommended for High-Value Transactions)
> Iowa does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale for standard private-party transfers (Iowa Code § 321.45). Notarization is optional but recommended for transactions over $5,000 or when the parties are not personally known to each other.
State of Iowa
County of [[County Name]]
On this [[Day]] day of [[Month]], [[Year]], before me, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally appeared:
Seller: [[Seller Full Legal Name]] - personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument.
Buyer: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]] - personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument.
Each acknowledged to me that they executed the same in their authorized capacity, and that by their signature on the instrument they executed the instrument.
Notary Public Signature: ___________________________
Notary Printed Name: [[Notary Full Name]]
Notary Commission Number: [[Notary Commission Number]]
My Commission Expires: [[Notary Commission Expiration Date]]
[NOTARY SEAL]
Documents Delivered to Buyer
Buyer acknowledges receipt of the following documents at the time of delivery (check all applicable):
- [ ] Signed Iowa Certificate of Title (assigned to buyer)
- [ ] This signed Iowa Vehicle Bill of Sale (both parties retain a copy)
- [ ] Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement (Part 3 of this document)
- [ ] Iowa Use Tax information / county treasurer's office contact
- [ ] Keys and all known remote/fob devices: [[Number of Keys / Fobs]]
- [ ] Owner's Manual / Service Records: [[Yes / No - describe if yes]]
- [ ] Lien Release / Payoff Confirmation (if applicable): [[Yes / No / Pending]]
- [ ] Other: [[Additional Documents Delivered - or "None"]]
Iowa Statutory Quick Reference
| Topic | Iowa Code Reference | Key Rule |
|---|
| Title Transfer Requirement | § 321.45 | Seller must assign and deliver title at sale |
| Title Transfer Deadline | § 321.45 | Buyer must apply for new title within 30 days |
| Iowa Use Tax | § 423.2 | 5% of purchase price, paid by buyer at county treasurer |
| Title Fee (≤ 8 yrs old) | § 321.52 | $25 (verify current amount with county) |
| Title Fee (> 8 yrs old) | § 321.52 | $10 (verify current amount with county) |
| Odometer Disclosure | 49 U.S.C. § 32705 | Required for vehicles < 20 model years old and < 16,000 lb GVWR |
| Odometer Exemption Age | 49 C.F.R. § 580.17 | 20+ model years old (FAST Act 2012) |
| Minimum Liability Insurance | § 321A.1 | 20/40/15 ($20K/$40K/$15K) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing or incomplete odometer disclosure - The federal odometer disclosure (Part 3) must be completed in full for all non-exempt vehicles. Missing the checkbox selection, mileage, or seller signature invalidates the disclosure and may expose the seller to federal penalties.
- No VIN on the document - The bill of sale must include the full 17-character VIN matching the title. A bill of sale without a VIN is insufficient for county treasurer processing.
- Ambiguous "as-is" language - A vague "sold as-is" note in the margin is not sufficient. The as-is clause must be conspicuous, in writing, and initialed by the buyer (Part 5, Option A) to effectively disclaim implied warranties under Iowa Code § 554.2316.
- Ignoring the lien status - If a lien exists on the vehicle, the seller must pay it off and deliver a clear title. Selling a vehicle with an undisclosed lien is fraud under Iowa law.
- Buyer failing to transfer title within 30 days - Iowa law requires the buyer to apply for a new title within 30 days of purchase. Late transfers result in penalty fees and the buyer driving with an improperly titled vehicle.
- Seller retaining the license plates - In Iowa, license plates belong to the registered owner / buyer, not to the state. Plate transfer is negotiated between parties; the buyer typically keeps the plates and re-registers them, or surrenders them and obtains new ones.
- Forgetting the use tax - Iowa private-party sales are subject to 5% use tax paid by the buyer. The county treasurer collects this at title transfer - buyers who attempt to understate the purchase price risk penalties and interest under Iowa Code § 423.6.
> ⚠️ Template example - not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This document is a general template for informational purposes only. Iowa vehicle sale laws, fee schedules, and DMV procedures change frequently. All statutory references and fees must be verified against current Iowa Code, Iowa DOT rules, and your county treasurer's office requirements before use. Consult a licensed Iowa attorney for transactions involving disputes, salvage titles, financed payoffs, or high-value vehicles. Sources verified as of June 2026: Iowa Code §§ 321.45, 321.52, 321A.1, 423.2, 554.2316; 49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580; Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division; Iowa County Treasurers Association.
