Title Transfers

Buying, selling, gifting, inheriting, or moving with a vehicle into Polk County? This guide walks Polk County residents and new Iowans through the exact steps, forms, and timing rules for Polk County IA Title Transfers. You’ll learn when a title transfer is required, what documents to gather, how to submit by mail, drop box, or appointment, and the special rules for trailers, manufactured homes, towable RVs, and estate situations. Each section breaks down what to fill out, where to send it, what fees to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes that can slow your application.

Know Exactly When Polk County Requires a Vehicle Title Transfer

Iowa law treats a title transfer as a legal record of ownership—every change to the names or details on the front of a title triggers a transfer. In Polk County IA, title transfers are required when ownership changes hands for:

Motor vehicles

Mobile or manufactured homes

Towable trailers—homemade, travel, and semi-trailers—with an empty weight over 2,000 lbs.

There are a few situations that come up frequently in Polk County IA Title Transfers:

Sale or gift: If you sell your vehicle or gift it to someone else, the new owner must retitle it in their name.

Move to Iowa: New residents bringing a vehicle into Iowa must transfer and title under Iowa requirements.

Ownership updates: Death of an owner, divorce, or other legal changes require an updated title.

Junking or dismantling: If you’re requesting a junking certificate, a transfer is part of the legal paper trail.

A quick reminder for boats: they are registered in the County Recorder’s Office, not through the Treasurer’s vehicle title office.

The 30-Day Rule You Can’t Ignore

From the date the vehicle changes hands, the new owner has 30 days to present a properly assigned title to any Iowa county treasurer—yes, in Iowa you can complete the transfer in any county. If you miss this window, penalties are automatically assessed. Plan ahead and gather every required document before you submit to avoid delays or returned applications.

Choose Your Submission Method: Mail, Drop Box, or Appointment

Polk County gives you options to keep the process moving:

U.S. Mail: Send completed forms and the required supporting documents with payment (check, cashier’s check, or money order). Do not mail cash and do not include card information; credit and debit cards are not accepted by mail.

Drop Box: Place your full packet (forms, supporting documents, and applicable non-cash payment) in an envelope and use the secure drop box at the south entrance of the Polk County Administration Building.

In Person (by appointment): If you prefer to handle the transfer at the counter, an appointment is required. Bring a valid Iowa driver’s license for identification. In-person payments can be made by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order.

Schedule any in-person visit using the county’s appointments system via the embedded “Learn more” link on the vehicle title pages (see Appointment).

How to Track Processing Times for Mail and Drop Box

If you used the mail or drop box, Polk County posts up-to-date information on which application date they’re currently working on. Use the county’s official Title Transfer Application Status page to see the latest “received by” date being processed. If timing matters for your registration or personal plans, check that page before calling.

Gather Your Documents Up Front to Avoid Penalties and Delays

Before you mail, drop off, or bring your packet to the Treasurer’s Office, make sure it’s complete. Polk County emphasizes the basics that keep legal documents valid:

Use blue or black ink.

Print clearly and legibly.

Ensure all numbers and amounts match—for example, VINs, odometer, and sale price where applicable.

Do not use correction tape or white-out and do not cross out content.

Keep names identical across all documents—legal names, spelled consistently, in the same format throughout.

Identification: What the County Will Accept

A valid Iowa driver’s license is preferred for in-person identification.

If you do not have a valid Iowa driver’s license, a Social Security card must be presented.

Military identification cannot be substituted for these identification requirements.

Complete These Forms for Polk County IA Title Transfers

For a standard motor vehicle title transfer, Polk County’s pages cite the same core set of forms used across Iowa:

Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration, form 411007. This is the central application used to title and register vehicles in Iowa. Polk County links it on the title transfer pages. Use the county’s official link to the Iowa DOT SeamlessDocs version when you prepare your packet. You’ll find it from the county’s title guidance and the vehicle forms listings (form is referenced multiple times on Polk pages).

Bill of Sale. Required for sales and also when a vehicle is transferred as a gift; Polk County specifically notes that a bill of sale is required even for gifts.

Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Statement, form 411108. Use this where required; Polk County publishes the exact form reference and directs you to the DOT’s SeamlessDocs version.

The county’s Title Transfers page consolidates these references and requirements, and provides guidance on downloading and saving fillable forms before emailing or printing.

Follow the County’s Step-by-Step Process for Motor Vehicles

When you’re transferring a motor vehicle title to a new owner in Polk County:

Complete the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (form 411007). Fill out all applicable fields, sign where required, and keep entries consistent with the prior title and bill of sale.

Complete a Bill of Sale. Include clear vehicle identification (year, make, model, VIN), date of sale, and sale price (or indicate “gift” as applicable) following Polk County’s guidance.

Provide the current title. It must be properly assigned to the new owner. If names on the prior title include “AND,” all owners must sign; if “OR,” at least one owner must sign.

Pay the $35 one-time title fee. Polk County clearly notes this fee on the vehicle instructions. Be prepared to pay annual registration at the same time, which is based on vehicle details (year, make, model).

Submit by your chosen method. Mail, drop box, or appointment. Remember, credit and debit cards are not accepted when using mail or the drop box; checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders are fine. In-person, you can use card, cash, or check.

Estimating Fees Before You Submit

Polk County points you to the Iowa DOT’s official fee tool to estimate title, registration, loan recording, and use tax where applicable. Use the Iowa DOT Fee Estimator to estimate your costs and add postage for any mailed return—Polk County notes that postage is not included in the tool’s total.

Handle Special Situations Confidently (Estate, Salvage, and More)

Some ownership changes require additional steps beyond the standard application.

Transfers After the Death of an Owner

Polk County directs residents to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s official page for these cases. If a co-owner or family member needs to transfer title after a death, consult the Iowa DOT’s Title Transfer After Death guidance. Review it closely so you gather the right affidavits and estate documents with your county packet—the county emphasizes that estate transfers can require more than the generic checklist.

Replacement Title (Lost or Never Received)

If you need a replacement title—because your title was lost, the lender never sent it after payoff, or the lienholder still holds the title—Polk County provides fully detailed instructions, including who must sign and how lien releases must be sent.

If you own the vehicle and the title is lost, complete the Iowa DOT Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title (form 114033), have all owners sign, and submit as directed.

If you paid off your loan but never received the title, the lender must provide either a notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (form 411168) or a notarized letter on letterhead listing the vehicle details. The notarized release must be emailed directly by the lender (not forwarded by the owner) if you submit by email.

If there is an active loan, the lienholder will complete the replacement title application and receive the processed title.

Go to the county’s official page for process details and submission methods: Replacement Title.

Trailers in Polk County: Know Which Ones Need a Title vs. Registration Only

Polk County IA Title Transfers and registrations treat trailers differently depending on empty weight:

Small trailers, 2,000 lbs. or less (empty): No title required in Iowa. Registration is required.
If used, submit form 411007 and a bill of sale, plus the prior owner’s registration signed over (sale price can be listed on the registration in place of a bill of sale), or provide the current title if from a state that titles small trailers. Pay the $20 annual registration.
If new, submit form 411007 and a bill of sale. A manufacturer’s certificate of origin may be required. Pay the $20 annual registration.

Large regular and semi-trailers, over 2,000 lbs. (empty): Title and registration are required.
If used, submit the application (form 411007 as referenced on Polk pages for trailer titling), a bill of sale, and a properly assigned title. Pay a $35 one-time title fee and a $30 annual registration.
If new, submit the application, a bill of sale, and a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, plus the $35 one-time title fee and $30 annual registration.

Homemade Trailers: VIN and Weight Thresholds

Homemade trailers ≤ 2,000 lbs. (empty): Complete and submit form 411007 to your county treasurer by mail or drop box (or appointment if in person).

Homemade trailers > 2,000 lbs.: The Iowa DOT must assign a VIN before you can title and register. Polk County directs owners to email the Iowa Department of Transportation Investigation Bureau (the address is provided on the county page) for VIN assignment instructions. Follow those instructions, then proceed to title and register through Polk County.

Towable Recreational Vehicles (Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Teardrops)

These vehicles are designed for vacation or recreational use. Polk County notes:

Used towable RVs: Submit form 411007, a bill of sale, and a properly assigned title.

New towable RVs: Submit form 411007, a bill of sale, and a manufacturer’s certificate of origin.

Registration fees for towable RVs are based on model year and square footage. Use the Iowa DOT Fee Estimator to preview costs before you submit payment.

Manufactured and Mobile Homes: County Location Matters

For manufactured or mobile home ownership changes, Polk County points out that titles are processed in the county where the home is physically located. The new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to the Treasurer’s Office. You’ll complete the same Iowa title application (form 411007) and ensure legal signatures from seller(s) and buyer(s). If the title lists multiple owners:

“AND” means all listed owners must sign.
“OR” means at least one listed owner must sign.

When applicable, review use tax rules and mobile home tax clearance requirements on Polk County’s property and mobile home information pages cited by the Treasurer. If you’re selling between July 1 and December 31, the September installment must be paid; if you’re selling between January 1 and June 30, the March installment must be paid, and all delinquent taxes or tax sales must be resolved before a tax clearance can be issued.

Nail the Paperwork: How to Complete Required Forms Without Getting Rejected

Polk County highlights a few minimum requirements that, if missed, can stall your transfer:

Read every instruction on form 411007 and complete all fields relevant to your transaction.

Use a Bill of Sale that captures the information Polk County expects. The county publishes a guide to the bill of sale format to keep you aligned.

Where required, attach the Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Statement (form 411108).

Print legibly and avoid corrections. If a mistake is made, it’s better to reprint a clean page and re-sign than to cross out or use tape/white-out.

Keep names consistent across the application, title assignment, and any lien documentation.

If there is a security interest, complete the lien section accurately. If there is no lien, mark the “none” checkbox or write “none” as directed.

Polk County’s primary guide to forms and process is the official Title Transfers page. Use that page to access the current county guidance and links to state forms.

Understand Your Payment Options Before You Submit

Payment method depends on how you submit:

Mail: Include a check, cashier’s check, or money order for the correct fee totals. No cash or credit cards by mail.

Drop Box: Include the same non-cash payments as mail—check, cashier’s check, or money order.

In Person (appointment required): You may pay by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order.

The county encourages you to estimate fees in advance and to indicate if you’d like a phone call to collect payment when allowed. Transaction fees can apply when paying by phone.

What Happens If Your Packet Is Incomplete

Polk County will process title transfers by the date received, but incomplete documentation causes delays. If something is missing—such as a required signature, a damage disclosure form, an assigned prior title, or a lien release—the office cannot complete your transfer. Review the county’s checklists before submitting. If your situation involves a death, be sure to read the DOT’s estate transfer guidance first and then attach every required supporting document.

When You’re Moving Into Iowa: Start with the Right County Steps

New Iowans bringing vehicles into the state must retitle and register. Polk County publishes specific guidance for residents who just moved in; it will direct you through the documentation needed to bring an out-of-state vehicle into Iowa’s system, then title and register it properly at the county.

To get oriented quickly, refer to the county’s dedicated page for new residents: New Iowa Residents. Combine that checklist with the title application steps and fee estimator to streamline your first visit or mailing.

Use the County’s Appointment System When You Want Same-Day Transfer

If you have all required documents, Polk County notes that in-person title transfers are completed the same day. Because title work is legal recordkeeping, the office needs a complete, clean packet to serve you quickly. Make your appointment, gather your identification and forms, and confirm you’ve included the assigned prior title, bill of sale, and any required disclosures.

Book through the county’s official scheduling portal linked throughout the Treasurer pages: Appointment.

Put It All Together: A Working Checklist You Can Follow Today

Use this run-of-show when you’re ready to transfer a title in Polk County:

Confirm you need a transfer. Any sale, gift, move to Iowa, or ownership change on the title requires it. Boats go to the Recorder’s Office.

Mark your 30-day deadline. Count from the date of ownership change; penalties start automatically after Day 30.

Decide how to submit. Mail, drop box, or appointment (appointment required for in-person).

Gather identification. Preferably an Iowa driver’s license; otherwise bring your Social Security card. Military ID cannot substitute for these.

Complete forms with precision.
Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (form 411007).
Bill of Sale (required for sales and gifts).
Damage Disclosure (form 411108), when required.

Assemble supporting documents. Assigned prior title, manufacturer’s certificate of origin for new vehicles or trailers, trailer registrations if applicable, lien release documents where needed, and anything noted in the DOT estate or specialty guidance.

Estimate your fees. Use the state’s fee tool, add postage when mailing, and select a payment method allowed for your submission channel.

Double-check your packet. Blue/black ink, legible printing, names match exactly, no cross-outs or white-out, amounts and VINs match everywhere.

Submit and track. Mail or drop box with correct payment, or bring everything to your appointment. If you mailed or used the drop box, watch the county’s Title Transfer Application Status page to see processing dates.

Departments and Contact (Official County Offices Only)

Polk County Treasurer’s Office — 111 Court Avenue, Room 154, Des Moines, IA 50309 — Vehicle: 515-286-3030

Polk County Title Transfers FAQs

How fast do I need to file and what happens if I miss the window?

In Polk County, the new owner has 30 days from the ownership change to present the properly assigned title to any Iowa county treasurer for issuance in the new owner’s name; penalties are automatically assessed after 30 days. Review the county’s step-by-step requirements under Title Transfers – Polk County Treasurer for the filing window, accepted submission methods, and required documents (application, bill of sale, and damage disclosure). Use blue or black ink, ensure names match across all documents, and avoid corrections or white-out. See: Title Transfers – Polk County Treasurer.

What documents and IDs are required to avoid processing delays?

Most transfers require the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (form 411007), a bill of sale (also used for gifts), and the Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Statement (form 411108). Proof of identity is required; if a valid Iowa driver’s license isn’t available, a Social Security card must be presented (military IDs aren’t accepted for this requirement). Polk County’s checklist and form links are listed on the Title Transfers – Polk County Treasurer page above.

Can I complete the transfer by mail, drop box, or in person—and how are payments handled?

Transfers may be submitted by U.S. mail, by placing a complete packet in the county drop box, or in person (appointment required). Mailed or drop-box submissions must include payment by check, cashier’s check, or money order; no cash or cards are accepted for those methods. In-person visits accept cash, card, check, or money order. Current processing cadence and in-person same-day completion (with correct paperwork) are posted here: Title Transfer Application Status.

How do trailer and towable RV transfers work in Polk County?

Small trailers at 2,000 lbs. empty weight or less do not require a title and register for $20 annually; provide prior owner’s signed registration (or title if from a state that titles small trailers). Regular and semi-trailers over 2,000 lbs. require a title ($35 one-time title fee) and $30 annual registration. Towable recreational vehicles require title/registration; fees are based on model year and square footage. Detailed steps and forms are outlined on Title Transfers – Polk County Treasurer.

How do special situations—like death of an owner or moving to Iowa—affect my filing?

Ownership changes due to death, divorce, gifting, or moving into Iowa all trigger a required transfer within 30 days. Some cases (e.g., estates) need extra documentation; refer to the state’s guidance at Title Transfer After Death (Iowa DOT). To estimate taxes and fees before you file, use the official Iowa DOT Fee Estimator.