Iowa boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Iowa. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other
resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 234,000 boats registered in the State of Iowa. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Iowa is "IA". |
|
Registration Agency |
The
respective County
Recorder's Office administers titling and registration for the
Department of Natural Resources. |
|
Registration Requirements |
All boats must be registered except for inflatable vessels that are 7 feet or less in length
and canoes or kayaks that are 13 feet or less in length.
Coast Guard documented vessels are also subject to registration. |
|
Title Requirements |
Titles
are issued on all registered boats in Iowa except those which are Coast
Guard documented. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Iowa has procedures for acquiring boat titles and registrations
where no evidence of prior registration has been
established. Bonded boat titles are also available. Detailed
information about boat title bonding can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Boat Registration Records |
Boat title
and registration records are maintained indefinitely. Detailed
information on how to obtain verbal and written reports can be
found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
State Tax Requirements |
Iowa state sales tax
applies to boat transactions. |
|
Loan Perfection |
Security
interests on non-documented boats which are state titled must be
recorded on the state title records. On
Coast Guard documented vessels, a preferred mortgage must be
recorded on the vessel's abstract of title. A UCC financing
statement must be filed if the boat is neither titled or
documented. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Iowa
recognizes "and" or "or" designations on boat registration
applications. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may register a boat in Iowa if this is the state of
principal usage. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Transfer, abandonment, theft, or destruction of an Iowa
registered boat must be reported to the Department of Natural
Resources within 10 days. |
|
Hull Inspection |
None required. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Iowa does not
issue title or registration certificates for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailer
registration is required in Iowa. Titling is required on boat
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Iowa does not
require bonding for notaries. Notaries must affix an embosser or inked
stamp seal to all notarized documents. |
| Visitation
Period |
A visitation
period of 60 days is allowed for boats that are Coast Guard
documented, foreign titled, or registered in another state. |
