Vehicle Registration

This guide walks Polk County, Iowa vehicle owners through every step of local registration—annual renewal, online payment, handling “holds,” replacing stickers and plates, securing refunds, and solving tricky edge cases like military storage and name or address changes. You’ll find plain-English explanations, step-by-step walkthroughs, and direct links to the official county and state pages you’ll actually use.

Understand Your Core Task: Renewing a Polk County Registration Each Year

Iowa requires vehicle owners to renew registration annually, and Polk County makes that straightforward with a county-run online system. When you complete a renewal online, the county mails the new validation tag the next business day after your payment is processed, and you attach that tag to your rear license plate. If you prefer to handle it yourself, you can process a renewal by mail, shipping service, or the county drop box; in-person services are available by appointment.

When you’re ready, use the county’s official portal to renew your Polk County vehicle registration (you’ll move through identity, plate, and payment, then the county fulfills your tag and updated registration). For residents who want a self-serve option to pay fees for tags and taxes through the statewide system, Polk links to the state portal; it’s a convenient fallback when you just want to pay online without waiting.

Start your renewal on the county page: renew your Polk County vehicle registration.
Use the statewide portal to pay online when needed: pay online.

Spot—and clear—common “holds” that block an online renewal

Sometimes the online flow won’t let you complete a renewal because there’s a stop on your record. Polk County identifies the common reasons:

Unresolved city parking tickets (including Des Moines, Urbandale, or Indianola).
Unpaid Clerk of Court tickets.
An Iowa Department of Revenue hold for unpaid taxes.
An SR-22 (financial responsibility) certificate that hasn’t been filed yet.

If your account requires an SR-22, Polk County notes you must submit the AAMVA Financial Responsibility form before they can process your renewal. If a stop applies to you, go directly to the primary source causing the hold (e.g., courts, revenue department) or contact the county’s vehicle team for guidance after you’ve taken care of the underlying issue. The county also supports appointment scheduling when you need face-to-face help.

Book time when you need hands-on help: schedule an appointment with the Polk County Treasurer.

Renewing on behalf of someone else: what changes

Polk County allows one person to process a renewal for another, but the county mails the registration and tags to the owner’s address on file. If you need to receive the materials in person, you’ll need a power of attorney on file before visiting the Treasurer’s Office. When in doubt, schedule an appointment and bring documentation that shows you’re authorized to act for the owner.

Price, Timing, and What Drives Your Fee in Iowa

Iowa sets registration fees in state law and applies a mix of factors—vehicle type, manufacturer’s list price, age, and weight—to determine what you owe at renewal. Because fee tables vary by vehicle category, Polk County points residents to the official statewide calculator and charts. That’s the fastest way to understand your total and plan your payment method in advance.

See fee details by category here: Registration Fees by Vehicle Type.

If you’re buying a used vehicle, understand that unpaid fees follow the plate, not the prior owner. Polk County explicitly cautions that if a previous owner didn’t renew on time, those past-due fees will be due when the vehicle is registered. A quick check with the county before you finalize a private-party deal helps avoid surprise costs.

Take Control of Your Renewal Methods: Online, Drop Box, Mail, or Appointment

Polk County supports several ways to finish your renewal:

Online completion with prompt mailing of tags the next business day after your payment posts, via the county’s renewal page.

Mail or drop box for residents who prefer paper processing.

In-person service by appointment for anything complicated, or if a hold needs documentation that you want a clerk to review on the spot.

The county suggests appointments for all transactions due to peak-time congestion and the possibility of longer waits. If you prefer to pay in person or need to deliver paperwork (like a power of attorney or SR-22 documentation), booking a slot lets you control timing and ensure you bring exactly what’s needed.

Reserve a time here: schedule an appointment with the Polk County Treasurer.

Fix a Lost or Damaged Item: Replace a Registration, Sticker, or License Plates

Life happens—stickers peel, plates bend, registrations get misplaced. Polk County breaks replacements into three clear buckets: replacement registration or tag (sticker), standard plates, and specialty/personalized plates. The county’s dedicated page walks you through exactly what to do for each scenario.

Start on the county’s replacement page: replace a registration, sticker, or plates.

Replace just the registration or the validation sticker/tag

When all you need is a fresh paper registration and/or the small month-year tag, Polk County uses a simple phone-and-pay flow:

Write down the license plate number tied to the vehicle you’re replacing for.

Have a $3 replacement fee ready. Polk accepts electronic check (routing/account) or debit/credit card; card payments include a transaction fee.

Call the vehicle team to request the replacement and provide your payment details.

The replacement validation tag is mailed to the address on file.

Because the county mails to the address it has on record, consider confirming that your mailing address is current before you request a replacement.

Swap out regular/standard issue plates

If your standard plates are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, Polk County issues new plates at the counter:

Make an appointment (encouraged for all transactions).
Bring in any remaining plate(s) from the vehicle.
Pay a $5 replacement fee.
Receive a new set of two plates immediately.

The county’s process is fast and in-office, which is helpful if you can’t be without plates for more than a couple of days.

Replace specialty or personalized plates (same design or a different one)

Specialty and personalized plates require extra steps because the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) manages plate production statewide. Polk County outlines two paths:

Same plate design as originally issued:
Complete the DOT’s replacement plate form, email it to the county vehicle team, then finalize by phone with payment. You’ll receive a letter when plates are ready for pick-up and you must schedule an appointment to retrieve them. The county notes that Iowa DOT policy does not allow a non-owner to pick up personalized plates. If someone else drops off your current plates, the new ones will be mailed to the address on file and a $5 postage fee will apply.
Use DOT Form 411006 here: Application for Iowa Replacement Plate.

Different plate design than before (changing your specialty/personalized selection):
Polk County flags that additional fees apply when you change designs. The county links to its plate options page for details about specialty and personalized choices and how Iowa DOT approves them.
Explore options here: Specialty License Plates.

Make Numbers Work for You: When and How to Request a Registration Fee Refund

Iowa law allows refunds of the unused portion of a paid registration in specific circumstances. Polk County processes the request, and Iowa DOT issues the check. You’ll need the correct DOT form, plates (when applicable), and to meet the state’s deadlines. Polk County underlines the threshold: refunds under $10 are not granted.

Get started here: request a vehicle registration refund.

You sold the vehicle and didn’t replace it within 30 days

If you sell a vehicle and do not register a replacement within 30 days, you may claim a refund of the unused months on that registration. The county calculates from the sale date to your current registration’s expiration and requires that you apply within six months of the sale. Turn in the plates with your application (mail, drop box, email where applicable, or in person).

Use DOT Form 411047: Claim for Refund.

Polk County notes that DOT typically mails refund checks four to six weeks after the county finalizes your request.

You returned a leased vehicle

When a lease ends and you turn in the vehicle, the lessee can request a refund of the unused registration from the return date through the registration’s expiration. The county asks you to submit the plates and complete Section 1—Affidavit of Lease Termination or Expiration of the DOT’s “Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title” form. Apply within six months of the return date, and remember the $10 minimum.

(Polk County outlines that this claim is submitted to the county where the vehicle was originally registered.)

You moved out of Iowa and registered in another state

If you move out of Iowa and register your vehicle in your new state, you can claim a refund of the unused portion from the new state’s registration date through your Iowa expiration. Again, apply within six months and meet the $10 minimum. Polk County channels these requests through the same Claim for Refund form (DOT Form 411047) and notes that DOT issues checks roughly four to six weeks after county processing.

New to Polk County? Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle After You Move

If you’ve recently relocated to Polk County with a vehicle registered elsewhere, the county funnels new residents to a single starting point that explains timing, documentation, and where to file. Because Iowa divides duties between counties and the DOT, that page is your compass for what to bring, what the county handles, and when to coordinate with the state.

Begin on the county’s new resident page: new Iowa residents guide.

Expect to connect with the Treasurer’s Office for the local registration itself. If a lienholder or out-of-state title adds complexity, booking an appointment avoids repeat trips and lets a clerk review your documents.

Handle the “What-Ifs”: Name and Address Changes, Military Rules, and Storage

Real life doesn’t fit into one tidy flow, and Polk County’s vehicle team offers clear direction for those corner cases that trip owners up.

Mailing address changes: owner-only requests with verification

Polk County requires the vehicle owner to request a mailing address change and to provide proper identification/verification. Because tags and plates are mailed to the address on file for many processes (renewals, replacements, specialty plate pickup fallbacks), confirm your address is correct before you start a transaction that mails physical items.

Legal name changes: sync driver’s license, then update your registration

When your legal name changes, Polk County details a three-part approach:

Driver’s license—Complete the update with the Iowa DOT (driver’s license division).

Replacement registration—Request a replacement registration listing your new legal name (a small replacement fee applies).

Vehicle title—Polk County notes you are not required to obtain a corrected title due to a legal name change.

If you need a link to the license division to start your identity update, the county points to the official driver’s license section. Once your license reflects your new name, the county can issue a replacement registration with that updated information.

Military personnel: how Iowa treats resident and non-resident service members

Polk County’s FAQ gives service members a clear rule of thumb:

Iowa resident on active duty stationed in Iowa—You must register your vehicle in Iowa and pay the associated fees.

Non-resident on active duty stationed in Iowa—You aren’t required to register in Iowa if your vehicle is properly registered in your home state and all owners on the title are non-residents. For passenger cars/multipurpose vehicles, there are specific certification requirements, including a residency certification attested by the commanding officer and the DOT’s Application for Certification of Title and/or Registration (form number noted in the county’s resource).

For personalized guidance, Polk County encourages submitting the completed documentation to the Treasurer’s Office. Because military documentation is precise, consider an appointment so a clerk can confirm the packet on the spot.

Vehicle storage: pause registration the right way

If you won’t be using a vehicle, Iowa allows storage—but there are rules. Polk County says to act before the last day of the month following your renewal month, surrender both the license plates and the vehicle registration to your county of residence, and be aware you cannot store delinquent plates or first partial-paid truck, truck tractor, or farm special plates. When you’re ready to drive again, you can re-register at any time by paying the full annual fee due at that time.

End-of-life vehicles and junking certificates

When a vehicle is no longer roadworthy, Polk County’s FAQ calls the junking certificate “the death certificate for a vehicle.” It allows you to transfer ownership to a recycler. In limited cases, you can dispose of a vehicle to a licensed recycler without a certificate of title or junking certificate—if the vehicle is twelve model years old or older and it’s sold for less than $1,000. If you’re junking a titled vehicle, surrender the title and registration (and plates, unless you’re transferring them to a replacement vehicle), and apply for a junking certificate on the DOT’s form. The county accepts the packet by mail, drop box, or appointment.

Title Transfers Touch Registration—Here’s How to Stay Aligned

Many registration scenarios hinge on what’s happening with your title. Polk County’s FAQ groups title-related questions and points to the DOT for particular categories (lost title replacement, transfers after a death, and converting salvage to regular title) because the state sets procedures and forms. When you’re changing ownership or moving from a salvage title, expect to coordinate both with Iowa DOT (for title conditions) and Polk County (for the registration tied to your plates).

If you’re buying a mobile or manufactured home, Polk County emphasizes a unique rule: the title must be processed in the county where the home physically sits. That’s a distinct path from vehicles and helps avoid delays or corrections when a home is sold and sited in Polk County.

For deeper context and county-specific answers, scroll through the county’s Vehicle FAQs.

Keep Specialty Plate Expectations Realistic

Specialty and personalized plates are popular in Polk County, but they’re governed by Iowa DOT. The county works as your local counterparty to accept applications, confirm payment, and coordinate pickups or mailings. When you’re swapping designs, Polk County flags that extra fees apply and that non-owners cannot pick up personalized plates; that’s a strict DOT rule. If a third party must drop off your old plates, the replacement set will be mailed to the address on file and the county will charge postage.

Browse county plate options and instructions here: Specialty License Plates.

Solve Problems Faster with the Right Document, the First Time

Most registration pain comes from missing a single document or using the wrong form. Polk County reduces that friction by linking the exact DOT forms they’ll ask you for when you request a refund or replace a specialty/personalized plate. Before you book an appointment, open and complete the appropriate state form (download and save it to your computer before emailing or printing, as the county notes). This avoids rework and keeps your appointment short.

Refunds (sell a vehicle, move out of Iowa): Claim for Refund (Form 411047).

Replacement specialty/personalized plates: Application for Iowa Replacement Plate (Form 411006).

If you’re unsure which form is correct for your case, the county’s topic pages (annual renewal, refunds, replacements) summarize what goes where and when to bring plates to the Treasurer’s Office. When you’re working from a lease termination, look to the DOT’s “Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title” and complete the lease termination affidavit section before you contact the county.

Avoid Last-Minute Surprises: Practical Tips Polk County Calls Out

Plan ahead for mailings. Many Polk County processes mail your tag or plate to the address on file. Confirm your address is up to date before you pay or request a replacement.

Expect transaction fees on card payments. Electronic checks avoid card processing charges; have your routing and account number handy if you want to minimize costs.

Use appointments to shorten your day. While walk-in help exists, Polk County repeatedly encourages appointments—especially for title-related registration questions, refunds, and specialty plate pickups.

Clear holds at the source. If you have a court fine, revenue hold, or SR-22 issue, resolve it first to prevent an online renewal from failing late in the process.

Know the $10 threshold for refunds. Iowa doesn’t issue refunds under $10; if you’re right on the line, confirm your unused portion calculation before submitting a packet.

Vehicle Registration Departments and Contacts

Polk County Treasurer — Vehicle Registration Division — 111 Court Avenue, Room 154, Des Moines, IA 50309 — 515-286-3030

Polk County Vehicle Registration FAQs

How do I renew online, and when will I get my new sticker?

Polk County lets you renew annually on the county portal; once payment clears, your new validation tag is mailed the next business day and should be affixed to the rear plate. If you prefer not to visit the office, you can conveniently renew your registration online and, if needed, use mail, shipping, or the drop box to submit materials referenced on that page. Accepted payments include e-check, debit, and credit where noted on the site.

What stops can block an online renewal, and how are they cleared?

Renewals can be halted by unpaid parking tickets in Des Moines, Urbandale, or Indianola; unpaid Clerk of Court tickets; an Iowa Department of Revenue hold for unpaid taxes; or an unmet SR-22 requirement. If SR-22 is required, Polk County needs an AAMVA Financial Responsibility form on file before processing. Once the underlying issue is resolved with the relevant agency, the county can complete the renewal per the guidance on the renewal page.

Can I renew for someone else and receive their tags?

Yes—anyone can submit a renewal, but the registration and tags default to mailing to the titled owner’s address. If you need to walk out with the owner’s items, a power of attorney must be in place and presented as directed on the county site.

How do I replace a lost registration, sticker, or license plates?

For a lost registration or validation sticker, record the plate number and request a replacement; a $3 fee applies, and the replacement is mailed to the address on file. Standard plate replacements are issued immediately at the office for $5 when you surrender remaining plates. Specialty/personalized plates require Iowa DOT form 411006 and a scheduled pickup; non-owners may not pick up personalized plates. Start here: replace registration, stickers, or plates.

When do registration fee refunds apply, and what forms are needed?

Refunds of the unused portion of fees may be available when you sell without replacing within 30 days, return a leased vehicle, or register the vehicle in a new state after moving. Requests must be filed within six months, and amounts under $10 aren’t refundable. You’ll submit plates and the correct forms (e.g., 411047 for sales/move, 411107 for lease termination) as outlined here: Vehicle Registration Refunds & Credits.

Do I need an appointment for in-person service?

Appointments are encouraged for all transactions, including replacements and refund submissions, to reduce wait times and ensure document review. Book directly through the county system: schedule an appointment.