Moving

Moving into Iowa?

Iowa law requires you to register your motor vehicle within the county that you reside within 30 days of the date you establish residency. Iowa registration is required even if you still have valid license plates in another state. Contact your previous state for the best way to dispose of their license plates.

*If you plan on transferring 4 or more motor vehicle records in one visit, an appointment is required. Please call 712-279-6500.

To register your vehicle in Iowa, you will need the following:

1. PROOF OF IDENTITY AND IOWA RESIDENCY.
Iowa Driver's License or Identification Card*	-OR-	All of the below are required. Valid Picture ID issued by another state* Social Security Card, or other acceptable proof of SSN Completed Presumption of Residency Form
2. PROOF OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP
Your out-of-state title. The current odometer reading will be required.	-OR-	Your out-of-state registration. If there is a lien on your vehicle and the bank holds your title, then your out-of-state registration will be required.**
3. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE AND/OR REGISTRATION (Form 411007)
All owners on the out-of-state title or registration will be required to sign the application. The clerk will help you complete the application for title/registration during your visit.

* If you have had a name change, your legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order) may be required.

** If you are providing an out-of-state registration, you will be required to obtain an Iowa title if/when you sell the vehicle in Iowa.

You should transfer your title to Iowa once you receive your out-of-state title from the lienholder.
If your title is at a lienholder, you may contact them to notify them of your change of residency and request the title be mailed to us for updating. You can also wait until the vehicle is paid in full and bring the title in at that time to transfer it to an Iowa title.

To register your leased vehicle, you will need:

Proof of Identity and Iowa Residency (see table above for requirements).
Your out-of-state registration.
A completed Worksheet to Determine Fee for New Registration on Leased Vehicles for Move-Ins (Iowa Department of Revenue Form 35-051). This worksheet must be completed prior to your visit.
Completed and signed Application for certificate of title and/or registration for a leased vehicle (Iowa DOT Form 411179). The clerk will help you complete the application during your visit.

Fees are as follows:

Iowa Title Fee = $25.00
Iowa Lien Fee = $10.00
Leased Vehicle Move-in Fee for New Registration, when applicable = 5% of the lease price (Complete Form 35-051 for this amount.)
Iowa Registration = Variable.

Penalty of 5% of the registration fee, if you do not register your vehicle within 30 days from the day of you established residency. This penalty continues to accrue every month.

Click here for more information on calculating title and registration fees.

Moving out of iowa?

Once you have registered your vehicle in your new state of residence, you may be eligible for a refund of the unused registration fee. To claim a refund, the following are required to be submitted to our office by mail or in person:

Your Iowa plates
A copy of your new out of state registration.
Completed & Signed Claim for Refund (Form 411047)

You must file a claim for refund within six (6) months from the date of the out-of-state registration.

Refunds of less than $10.00 will not be granted. We recommend you return your Iowa plates to the County Treasurers office for proper disposal even if you are not eligibile for a refund as this will end your responsbility for the plates. Please include a note explaining why you are returning your plates.

Our mailing address is:

Woodbury County Treasurer

822 Douglas St Room 102

Sioux City, IA 51101