Free Iowa Boat Bill of Sale Form (DNR & County Recorder PDF)

Q: Do boats have titles in Iowa?

Under Iowa Code § 462A.77, only vessels that are 17 feet or longer, or any motorized watercraft with an outstanding security interest (lien), require a formal Iowa Certificate of Title. Watercraft under 17 feet without an active lien are registration-only vessels.

Q: Where do you register a boat in Iowa?

In Iowa, boats are registered at the County Recorder's Office in the buyer's county of residence, rather than the Iowa DOT or state DNR headquarters. The buyer presents the signed title (if 17ft+), current registration certificate, and this executed Bill of Sale.

Q: Where do you register a boat trailer in Iowa?

Unlike the boat itself which is registered through the County Recorder, the boat trailer must be titled, registered, and licensed separately through the local County Treasurer's Office under motor vehicle statutes (Iowa Code Chapter 321).

Q: Is a bill of sale required to register a boat in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa County Recorders require an itemized bill of sale showing separate purchase prices for the boat hull, outboard motor, and boat trailer. This itemization is legally essential to assess the 6.0% state sales/use tax accurately.

Q: How long do you have to register a boat in Iowa after buying it?

Under Iowa Code § 462A.5, an Iowa purchaser has 30 calendar days from the date of purchase to submit the title transfer, registration application, and bill of sale to their County Recorder's Office.

Free Iowa Boat Bill of Sale Form

Official 2026 statutory vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer bill of sale. Compliant with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) registration rules, County Recorder transfer guidelines, 17-foot titling thresholds (IC § 462A.77), and 6.0% sales tax itemization. Guaranteed 1-page fit.

FORM SBF-IA-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

Iowa Code §§ 462A.5, 462A.77 & DNR Rules

STATE OF IOWA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel, Watercraft, Outboard Motor & Trailer Transfer Statement

Compliant with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) & County Recorder Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the vessel, outboard motor, and trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

SECTION A: JURISDICTION & LOCATION OF SALE

State:

Iowa County *:

SECTION B: COMPLETE WATERCRAFT (HULL) DESCRIPTION

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / Number *

Length (Ft/In) *

Hull Material *

Vessel Type *

IA Registration # (e.g. IA 1234 AB)

* Notice: Under Iowa Code § 462A.77, vessels 17 ft or longer or any vessel with a lien require an Iowa Certificate of Title.

Hull Identification Number (HIN - 12 Characters) *:

SECTION C: OUTBOARD MOTOR & BOAT TRAILER SPECS

1. Outboard / Inboard Marine Motor

Motor Make

Year

Motor Serial Number

2. Boat Trailer Information Trailer Included

Trailer Make

Year

Empty Wt

Trailer VIN / Serial # (17 Digits)

SECTION D: IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES (TRANSFEROR & TRANSFEREE)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

IA Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

SECTION E: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION & ITEMIZED PRICE BREAKDOWN

Vessel / Hull Price ($)

Motor Price ($)

Trailer Price ($)

Total Purchase Price *

Date of Sale *:

Payment: Cash Cashier's Check Check Wire Gift/Trade

SECTION F: MARINE "AS-IS" WARRANTY DISCLAIMER & AFFIDAVIT

STATUTORY MARINE "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER (IOWA UCC IC § 554.2316): This vessel, outboard motor, and trailer (if included) are bargained, sold, and conveyed strictly in "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT. The Seller expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, seaworthiness, hull integrity, transom strength, or fitness for navigation. Buyer acknowledges having had full opportunity to inspect, survey, or water-test the watercraft or knowingly waived this right. Seller certifies under penalty of perjury (Iowa Code § 714.8) that Seller is lawful owner with clear legal authority free of all liens.

SECTION G: SIGNATURES & NOTARY JURAT

Seller (Transferor) Signature

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF IOWA COUNTY OF:

On this _____ day of ________________, 2026, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared the Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government-issued photo identification to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed to this boat bill of sale, and acknowledged executing the same for the purposes stated.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here Compliant with Iowa County Recorder & DNR Specifications

FORM SBF-IA-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Iowa Code §§ 462A.5, 462A.77 • DNR & County Recorder Rules PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Iowa DNR & County Recorder 3-Step Vessel Transfer Guide

Follow Iowa statutory regulations to complete private boat transfers, determine if your vessel requires an official Certificate of Title, pay state sales tax, and properly separate boat registration from trailer licensing.

Execute Title & Form SBF-IA-BOAT

The seller signs over the original Iowa Certificate of Title (if 17 feet or longer, or if a lien existed) and hands over the current registration card. Both parties sign this statutory Bill of Sale with an itemized valuation of hull, motor, and trailer.

Verify 17-Foot Titling Threshold

Under Iowa Code § 462A.77, watercraft 17 feet or longer and all vessels with an active lien must be titled through the County Recorder. Watercraft under 17 feet without liens are registration-only vessels.

County Recorder & Treasurer Visits

Within 30 calendar days of purchase (IC § 462A.5), the buyer visits their home County Recorder's Office to register the boat and pay 6.0% state sales/use tax. The boat trailer must be registered separately at the County Treasurer's Office.

Statutory Summary

Iowa Watercraft Legal Transfer Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
17-Foot Titling Requirement	Iowa Code § 462A.77	Mandatory ≥17 Ft	All watercraft 17 feet or longer and any vessel with an active lien must possess an Iowa Certificate of Title.
Itemized Bill of Sale	Iowa Code § 462A.5	Essential	Mandatory proof of purchase price itemizing boat, motor, and trailer values to calculate Iowa 6.0% sales/use tax.
County Recorder Registration	Iowa Code § 462A.5	County Recorder	Watercraft titles, decals, and registrations are processed exclusively through the buyer's home County Recorder.
Boat Trailer Registration	Iowa Code Chapter 321	County Treasurer	Boat trailers are governed by motor vehicle law and must be plated through the County Treasurer, not the Recorder.
30-Day Registration Window	Iowa Code § 462A.5	30 Calendar Days	Buyer must file transfer application with the County Recorder within 30 days of purchase to avoid penalties.