Residents require an Iowa boat bill of sale to demonstrate ownership of their watercraft and get it registered. Precision documents help the parties involved input all the crucial information regarding the buyer, seller, and transaction details.
A bill of sale for a boat in Iowa must also provide the details about the vessel necessary for its registration.
Employing an accurate Iowa boat bill of sale gives sellers a template that streamlines the process. Buyers gain a reliable boat bill of sale Iowa agencies accept when registering their vessels.
These are the requirements and documents to purchase and register a boat in Iowa.
Iowa Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
Using a standardized template helps private parties avoid making otherwise unnecessary mistakes. Oversights could result in the denial of the vessel’s registration, leaving the parties to rewrite the paperwork.
These essential items are smartly outlined on a reliable Iowa boat bill of sale PDF.
- Parties Involved: The full names and addresses of the buyer and seller are required.
- Boat Description: The boat is described in terms of make, model, year built, color, and registration number.
- Specification: The vessel type, hull ID number, and hull material are listed on the boat bill of sale Iowa residents use.
- Condition: If applicable, a rating from fair to new is recorded with any important notes.
- Motor: Vessels using gas-powered engines indicate whether they are onboard or outboard types.
- Purchase Price: The total purchase price is listed with a note of whether tax is included in the sale of a new vessel.
- Payment Method: Sellers can list the payment method to provide further transfer details.
- Warranty: A box can be checked regarding warranties, if any.
- Date of Sale: The date the transaction is completed is listed on the document.
The document can also note the transfer is a gift. In these cases, taxation (if any) and registration fees are typically based on fair market value.
Registering a Boat
All boats and watercraft that do not fall under Iowa exemptions must be registered within 35 days if purchased from a dealer and 30 days from a private party.
Where To Register
Boats are registered with the county recorder in the county where you reside.
Documents Needed To Obtain Title and Registration
While an Iowa boat bill of sale PDF streamlines the transaction process, other documents may be needed to register a boat in Iowa.
- Certificate of Title
- Registration Application
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin
Fees
The State of Iowa levies various fees published on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources portal. Renewal fees are collected every three years.
Exemptions
Watercraft owners can register the following otherwise exempt classes of boats.
- Inflatable boats that are 7 feet or less in length, with no motor or sail
- Conventional canoes and Kayaks are 13 ft. or less in length and do not have a sail or motor
- Government-owned search and rescue vessels
- Boats owned by public schools used for official research and studies
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have To Be Notarized in Iowa?
An Iowa boat bill of sale must be notarized to register a vessel.
Iowa Boat Bill of Sale Sample
Below, you can download our free Iowa boat bill of sale template in PDF or Word format:
