Iowa Boat Bill of Sale

The Iowa boat bill of sale is a legal document that records the agreed-upon terms of a transaction that involves the change of ownership of a vessel. The transaction may be a purchase, sale, or trade involving two or more parties. The document will have information related to the purchase such as the price, the information of the buyer and seller, and the date of the transaction. It’s a required document in Iowa and must be presented at the time of registration by the new owner. Keep in mind that it must be signed by the concerned parties.

Boat registration in Iowa

Whether the vessel is motor-powered or moves under the influence of a sail, it has to be registered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The buyer is required to register their boat within thirty days of the purchase date. If the registration was current at the time of purchase, the owner may continue to operate the vessel within the thirty-day grace period without repercussions. Registration is valid for three years and all registration expires on April first of the third year.

Forms required for boat registration

A completed and signed boat bill of sale
An application for boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, and ORVs, that has been completed
If the boat is brand new then the manufacturer’s certificate of origin is needed
The original certificate of title that has been signed over by the previous owner as well as the current registration
A driver’s license that’s valid in Iowa. If that’s unavailable then a state-issued ID can be used.
The required fees which are determined by the length of the boat.