Iowa car — quick answer
In Iowa, a car bill of sale is recommended and notarization of the title transfer is situational. The state form used for titled vehicles is 411107. Titling and registration are handled by the Iowa DOT.
Is a car bill of sale required in Iowa?
Recommended. A bill of sale is expected at transfer; a damage disclosure statement is also required for most vehicles.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at the county treasurer.
Does a Iowa car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). County treasurers administer titling and a few specific forms may require notarization; confirm locally.
What to include on a Iowa car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Iowa
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at the county treasurer.
- 3Register with the Iowa DOT.
The buyer titles and registers the car, bringing Notice of Sale (411107) / Damage Disclosure (411108). Confirm current fees on the official page.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Iowa DOT before you sign. Not legal advice.
Iowa Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Iowa?
A bill of sale is recommended in Iowa. A bill of sale is expected at transfer; a damage disclosure statement is also required for most vehicles.
Does a Iowa car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. County treasurers administer titling and a few specific forms may require notarization; confirm locally.
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.