Welcome to the new Shelby County website!
Driver's License
How can I contact the Iowa Driver and Identification Services?
How can I obtain a manual in order to study for the written operator test?
I have misplaced my Iowa license. How can I get a duplicate?
If your license has been lost or stolen, please contact your driver’s license station. There is a $10 charge for a duplicate license.
Find more information on the Iowa DOT website.
Where can I obtain the study material for the CDL School Bus Endorsement?
Where do I find out information regarding the Hazardous Material Endorsement?
How can I pay for my driver license?
Check, cash, debit card, and Discover, Visa, or Master Card credit cards. There is a $1.50 convenience fee for the use of a debit or credit card.
Motor Vehicle
How can I contact the Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Vehicle Services?
Office of Vehicle Services Physical Address
6310 SE Convenience Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50021
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines IA 50306-0473
Telephone: 515-237-3110 - Local Des Moines
Fax: 515-237-3056
E-Mail: vscusto@iowadot.us
Investigative Bureau
Phone: 515-237-3050
Email: invbureau@iowadot.us
Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Line
Phone: 515-237-3305
Commercial Motor Carrier (IRP/IFTA)
Phone: 515-237-3268
How do I change my mailing address?
Contact your local County Treasurer to change your mailing address.
How do I sell my vehicle in Iowa?
How does the state determine the amount of my registration fees?
All autos and multipurpose vehicles, plus trucks that are 2010 and newer with weight <= 10,000 lbs.are computed by the vehicle weight and list price as follows:
- 40 cents per hundred pounds of vehicle weight plus:
| Vehicle Age |
Fee |
| 1-7 years old |
1.00% of list price |
| 8-9 years old |
.75% of list price |
| 10-11 years old |
.50% of list price |
| 12+ years old |
$50.00 |
Example weight: 3,000 pounds, list price $18,500
(3,000/100) x $0.40 = $12
$18,500 x 1% = $185
Annual Fee = $197
- Rates for Trucks with 3 Ton License
1-7 model years: $150.00
8-9 model years: $120.00
10-11 model years: $100.00
12+ model years: $50.00
- Antique Rates (model vehicle 25 years or older)
1970-1983: $23
1969 and older (ownership before 1/1/09): $16
1969 and older (purchased after 1/1/09): $50
- Motorcycle
1-5 years old: $20
6 years or older: $10
- Small Regular Trailer less than 2,000 lbs: $20
- Regular Trailer 2,000 lbs: $20
- Travel Trailer
1-6 years old: $0.30 per sq. ft.
7 years or older: 75% of the original fee
If you have specific questions regarding your vehicle, please contact your County Treasurer's Office.
I am a new Iowa resident. How do I register and title my vehicle?
Visit the Iowa DOT website for information on how to register and title your vehicle in the state of Iowa.
I have lost my validation sticker. Where do I go to obtain a new one?
You can come to your County Treasurer’s Office to receive a new validation sticker. If you have your current registration, you must bring it with you.
I have lost one of my license plates. Where do I go to get a replacement plate?
You can receive a replacement set of plates at your County Treasurer’s Office. You will need to bring with you your current registration and your remaining plate that is on your vehicle and pay the applicable fees. The cost for the replacement set of plates will be $5.00.
What does the name connector "and", or "or" mean on the face of my vehicle title as it relates to selling my vehicle?
The name connector "and" means that both owners that are listed on the vehicle title will have to sign as sellers when the vehicle is sold.
The name connector "or" means that only one of the owners that are listed on the face of the vehicle title will have to sign as seller when the vehicle is sold. See Admin Code 761--400.14(321).
When applying for a replacement (duplicate) title or junking certificate, ALL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE must sign the application form regardless of name connector.
When can I renew my plates?
You have one month prior to your renewal month, your renewal month, or the month following to renew without penalty. When the last day of the month that a vehicle registration is due falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the payment deadline is extended to include the first business day of the following month.
| Prior Month |
Registration Month |
You vehicle will
become delinquent |
| December |
January |
March 1 |
| January |
February |
April 1 |
| February |
March |
May 1 |
| March |
April |
June 1 |
| April |
May |
July 1 |
| May |
June |
August 1 |
| June |
July |
September 1 |
| July |
August |
October 1 |
| August |
September |
November 1 |
| September |
October |
December 1 |
| October |
November |
January 1 |
| November |
December |
February 1 |
Penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the fee due, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum.
Where can I renew my vehicle registration?
You are required to renew your vehicle registration in your county of residence. You may renew your registration online at https://www.iowatreasurers.org.
Where do I find a guide to license plates on the State website?
Where do I go to get a refund on my plates?
You can bring your plates and current registration to the County Treasurer’s Office. The information will be sent to the Department of Transportation. If the request for refund is approved, a refund will be mailed to you within four to six weeks.
If you sell a vehicle and do not replace it, you may apply for a refund. The following is required:
- You have up to six months after you sell your vehicle to apply for a refund.
- The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more to receive a refund. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the expiration of the registration.
I have moved and registered my vehicle in a different state. How can I apply for a refund for the unused registration in Iowa?
After registering your vehicle out of state, return the following to any County Treasurer's Office in Iowa: 1. Your Iowa license plates. 2. A completed and signed Claim for Refund. 3. A copy of your new out of state registration. You may download the claim for refund form #411047 on the Iowa DOT Form website.
Property Tax
Can I make a partial payment on my property taxes?
Yes, partial payments are accepted for current or delinquent real estate or mobile home taxes. The amount of the partial payment must be greater than the late interest and costs due. Partial payments cannot be accepted for special assessments or tax sale redemption payments. You may make partial payments online or by mailing it to your County Treasurer.
How do I add or change a mailing address for my tax statement?
How do I understand my property tax statement?
I am going to be moving my mobile home to another location; do I need a tax clearance form?
Yes, a mobile home tax clearance form is required when moving your mobile home to another location. Please contact your County Treasurer for more information.
I just purchased this property and I am now being told that I am responsible for the full years taxes. How can this be?
In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is given credit for the seller’s portion. You should look at your settlement statement provided to you at the closing to confirm this or contact the realtor or attorney who handled the transaction for you.
I mailed my payment on the due date and now I am getting a balance due statement for delinquent taxes. Why?
Your payment must be postmarked by the due date in order to be processed as a timely payment. If you are receiving a balance due statement, then your payment was not postmarked on time and late interest has accrued.
Placing your payment in the mailbox on the due date does not guarantee the envelope will be postmarked on that day. The Treasurer’s Office accepts only the official U.S. Postal mark when processing payments.
I thought my mortgage company paid my taxes?
Original tax statements are sent to the titleholder of record. If your mortgage company is responsible for paying your property taxes, they will obtain your payment amount through whatever resources they have available. You may retain the tax statement mailed to you for your records.
Is there help available for elderly or disabled property owners?
Please refer to the back side of your property tax statement for current eligibility guidelines for low-income senior citizen and disabled citizen state credits.
What happens if my taxes are not paid by the due date?
On the first day of each month, late interest at the rate of 1.5% (rounded to the nearest dollar, with a $1.00 minimum per parcel) will be added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes. If your taxes remain unpaid, they could be subject to tax sale. If sold at tax sale and if the tax lien is not redeemed within the time specified by Iowa law, the tax sale certificate holder may initiate deed proceedings.
What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold?
- Forward the tax statement to the new owners.
- OR return the tax statement to your County Treasurer.
- OR notify your County Treasurer.
If needed, contact your realtor or the person/company that handled your closing for clarification.
What should I do if my delinquent taxes are sold at tax sale?
Please contact your County Treasurer to determine what your rights concerning redemption are and the amount necessary to redeem the tax sale certificate. Under Iowa law, you may redeem the tax sale certificate by making payment to the County Treasurer for the amount sold, interest of 2% per month and the tax sale certificate and redemption fees of $20.00 each. There may be additional fees associated with the cost of serving notice. If the current tax due is not paid within one month and fourteen days of the delinquency date, the tax sale certificate holder may pay the subsequent tax. You must have an interest in the parcel sufficient to give you the right to redeem the tax sale certificate. A sufficient interest means that you must be one of the following:
- The titleholder of record.
- The person in whose name the parcel was/is taxed.
- A person in possession of the parcel.
- A mortgagee with a lien on the parcel.
- A vendor of the parcel under a recorded contract of sale.
- A lessor with a recorded lease or memorandum of recorded lease.
- Any other person with an interest of record (examples: judgment creditor of record, vendee under recorded real estate contract, holder of an inherited or devised recorded interest, tax sale certificate holder).
- A person who acquired an interest in or possession of the parcel subsequent to the filing of the notice of expiration of the right of redemption (this category is applicable only to tax sales occurring on or after April 24, 1995).
Your County may require an "Application & Affidavit for Redemption of Parcel Sold For Taxes" form be properly completed, signed, notarized and returned with your payment. Please contact your County Treasurer to see if this form is required.
Have you been personally served or received a Notice to Redeem From Tax Sale stating that you have ninety days to redeem the parcel from tax sale?
Please contact your County Treasurer to obtain the amount to redeem your property from tax sale. If redemption is not completed within the period provided by law, the right to redeem expires and a tax sale deed may be issued to the purchaser of the tax sale.
Your tax statement will provide you with two payment stubs, one for the first half and one for the second half. You may choose to pay the full year at once or pay each half by the due date.
The first half of property tax is due by September 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting October 1st, unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of October.
The second half of property tax is due by March 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting April 1st unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of April.
When do I receive a property tax statement?
Statements are mailed out to the owner of record each year after taxes are certified to the County Treasurer by the County Auditor’s Office typically in July or August. Contact your County Treasurer if you have not received a property tax statement.
Where can I get the latest information about my property?
Why do I have to pay penalty and interest when I never received a statement?
As a property owner and under Iowa law, it is your responsibility to pay your property taxes. The statements are mailed and the taxes are due at the same time each year.
If you have not received a statement by the first week of September, contact your County Treasurer to request another statement be mailed to you.
It is not necessary to have a statement to make payment as long as you indicate the parcel number with your payment and know the correct amount. You may pay online, by mail, or personally deliver your payment to your County Treasurer’s office.
Why were special assessment statements mailed to me?
The special assessment statement will inform you of the type of special assessment for which you are being billed. Examples of special assessments which are turned over to the county treasurer by the city are paving, sidewalk repairs and delinquent water and/or sewer bills. Special assessments generally are due once a year with the first half property tax installment.
