Motor Vehicle

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Common Fees

• Title fees: $35.00
• Lien fees: $20.00
• Fee for new registration (sales tax) 5% plus $10.00 on the purchase price, less any trade-in.
• Annual registration fees are based on year, make, model, and list price (please contact our office for estimates).

Certain vehicle transactions can be processed in any county, including regular title transfers, replacement titles, dealer titles, notation and cancellation of security interests, non-transferable registrations, salvage titles, and junking certificates.

Payments can be paid in person, by mail, by using the drop box on the south side of the courthouse by the handicap entrance, or online.

Pay Vehicle Tag Renewal

Motor Vehicle Renewals

• Courtesy registration renewal notices go out the month before registration is due.
• Motor vehicle registrations are due annually.
• There is a three-month window to renew; payments can be made the month before, the month of or the month after your registration is due without being penalized if driving in Iowa.
• The following vehicles are NOT allowed to renew online:
  • Prorate (IRP).
  • Firefighter vehicles due to the annual certification (unless retired member).
  • Personalized plates that have been expired for more than 30 days.
  • Customers with outstanding debts.
  • Customers requiring SR-22 insurance.

Renew your vehicle tags online on the Iowa Treasurer's website with an e-Check for .25 cents (less than a postage stamp) or a debit/credit card for 2.25% of the total due.

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 our office. NOTE: This pin is specific to you and should not change. Therefore, the same PIN can be used annually.

Payment Methods

• In office with cash, check or card/debit card (cards accepted for an additional fee).
  • 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 the Shelby County Treasurer.

Motor Vehicle Title Transfers

A bill of sale will be required by the Iowa DOT for all title transfers. Please note a bill of sale should be completed by both parties (buyer and seller).

• Autos, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles, campers, mobile homes, and trailers (2,001 lbs. or greater) are titled within the state of Iowa.
• Trailers less than or equal to 2,000 lbs are issued registration only.
• New owners have 30 days from the date of purchase to change their title. Penalties start after 30 days.
• New owners can drive their new vehicle for 30 days from the purchase date without plates on as long as they properly carry assigned title or bill of sale and proof of insurance if stopped by law enforcement.
• Odometer reading required for vehicles 20 years and newer. 
• Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration will be required to be signed by all owners before the transfer can be completed.

Selling a Vehicle

Upon selling your vehicle to a private individual, you should:

• Sign on the "Signature of Seller" line on first assignment on the back of the title.
• Enter the "Date of Sale."
• Print on the "Printed Name of Seller" line on the back of the title.
• Make sure the buyer completes the top line of the assignment with their legal name and address.
• Complete a bill of sale including both parties' names, date of sale and purchase price.
• Provide the odometer reading (required for vehicles 20 years and newer).
• ALWAYS take the license plates off the vehicle and return them to our office. The only exception to this rule is a transfer between parents and children.
  • 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 occurences they might be involved in.
  • The buyer is able to drive the vehicle within the state of Iowa for 30 days from the date of purchase if they have signed title, bill of sale and proof of insurance.

Replacement Title

• We will prepare a Replacement Title Application for you or download Form 411033 from the Iowa DOT website.
• By Iowa law, there is a 5-day waiting period if the original title is lost. (If the original has been altered or spoiled in some way, please submit the original title to us with Form 411033 and we will process a replacement title in the same day.)
• Anyone whose name is on the face of the title MUST sign the replacement application.
• The Iowa replacement title can be ordered in any Iowa county. If a title has a lien, the Replacement Title Application will be completed by the lienholder.
• The fee is $35.00 for a replacement title.

Personalized or Special Plates

• Numbered and special plates that are in our inventory are available for purchase.
• Personalized plates can be ordered online at the Iowa DOT Website.
• Extra fees will apply upon renewal of vehicle.

Storing a Vehicle or Trailer

• Requirements:
  • The registration must be current.
  • The plates must be turned in to any county motor vehicle office.
  • The vehicle or trailer may be registered at a later date by paying the current full annual registration fee.

Mobile Home Titles

• Mobile homes are titled in the county or state where the mobile home is located.
  • If the mobile home is changing locations within another county, a tax clearance form is required from the county the mobile home sits in before the title can be transferred to the new owners. This ensures there are no delinquent taxes on this property. To obtain a tax clearance form, the owner who sells the home between July 1 and December 31 must have paid the September installment of property taxes. The owner who sells the home between January 1 and June 30 must pay the March property taxes.
  • Mobile homes can be taxed as real property if it sits out in the county or taxed as a mobile home if it sits in a park. Property taxes for these are due annually with installments being made in September and in March.
  • Mobile homes have titles that need to be transferred just like a vehicle title within 30 days of purchase. The new owner(s) will also be required to complete an application for certificate of title and/or registration form in our office.
  • Fee for new registration (Use Tax) is only paid on a prorated portion of the purchase price if the mobile home is brand new. No fee for new registration is collected upon transfer of a used mobile home.
  • Tiny Homes/House on Wheels provided the dimensions don’t exceed 8’6” x 45’ and the wheels/frame are permanently affixed and titled as a towable recreational vehicle. If such a vehicle will be used as a place for habitation for more than 90 consecutive days, it should be titled as a mobile home.

New to Iowa?

To register your vehicle in Iowa, you will need:

• Iowa driver's license or social security card.
• Your out-of-state title, or a copy of your title, or your out-of-state registration.
• Completed and signed application for certificate of Iowa title and/or registration by all owners (prepared in our office).

Iowa law requires you to register your motor vehicle within 30 days of the date you establish residency. Iowa registration is required even though you still have valid license plates in another state. You would contact your previous state for the best way to dispose of their license plates and claim any refund.

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.

Fees are as follows:

• Iowa Title Fee = $35.00
• Iowa Lien Fee = $20.00
• 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 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 in our office 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.

Dealer Complaints

Complaint forms from the Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection are used for resolving situations such as:

• Not receiving or delivering title in the allotted time.
• False odometer statements.
• Complaints concerning licensed dealers or license violations.
• Complaints involving driver’s license fraud and related identity theft.

Further information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.