Free Iowa Boat Bill of Sale
Iowa boat sales involve the Iowa Department of Natural Resources rather than the Iowa DOT — a key distinction from car sales in the state. The Iowa DNR requires registration for nearly every boat (only small canoes, kayaks and inflatables with no motor or sail are exempt), and Iowa titles boats 17 feet or longer, whether they have a motor or a sail. The 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) replaces the VIN as the primary identifier on the bill of sale and Form 542-8067. Iowa's county-by-county administrative structure also affects boat registrations: buyers complete the title and registration paperwork at the county recorder's office in the county where they live.
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Iowa Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Iowa's 6% sales or use tax applies to private boat sales and is collected by the county recorder at registration unless you show it was already paid. Local Option Sales Tax of up to 1% may apply in participating counties.
Exemption: Boats used exclusively for commercial fishing or documented rental fleets may qualify for exemptions — consult the Iowa DNR or county recorder.
Inspection Requirements
Iowa has no mandatory boat safety inspection at the time of private sale. The Iowa DNR encourages voluntary hull inspections for aquatic invasive species when launching, but these are not required to complete a title transfer.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Iowa Department of Natural Resources — boat registration and titles handled by the county recorder in the county where the owner lives — not the same agency that handles cars in Iowa. Plan for separate filings.
Iowa Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) — typically molded into the transom (rear) of the hull on the starboard (right) side near the top.
- Verify whether the boat has an existing Iowa title (boats 17 feet or longer) or registration only (shorter boats) — lien releases are required if a lender is listed.
- Both parties complete a bill of sale with the HIN, year, make, model, hull length, engine details (if motorized), sale price, date, and both parties' full names and addresses.
- Seller endorses the existing Iowa boat title over to the buyer if one exists.
- Buyer completes Iowa DNR Form 542-8067 (Boat/Snowmobile Registration and Title Application).
- Buyer submits Form 542-8067, signed title or bill of sale, and payment of the 6% sales or use tax and registration fees to the county recorder in the county where the buyer lives.
- Buyer receives new Iowa DNR registration decals and a new certificate of title (for boats 17 feet or longer) or registration card only (for shorter boats).
- Buyer affixes new Iowa registration numbers to both sides of the bow as directed on the registration certificate.
Common Pitfalls
- Using the wrong identifier: boats use the HIN, not a traditional VIN. A bill of sale that records a partial or incorrect HIN will be rejected by the Iowa DNR at registration.
- Assuming the Iowa DOT or county treasurer handles boat titles: boat titles in Iowa are issued by the county recorder for the Iowa DNR, not by the county treasurer's office that handles vehicle titles — going to the wrong agency wastes time.
- Selling a boat 17 feet or longer without an Iowa title: if the previous owner never obtained an Iowa title for it, the buyer will face a bonded title process or alternative documentation requirements before the DNR will issue a new title.
- Failing to remove aquatic invasive species before the sale: Iowa law requires boats to be cleaned of aquatic invasive species before being moved between water bodies. A buyer transporting a boat with visible plant or mussel growth can be cited — disclose this and clean the hull before transfer.
Pro Tip
For Iowa boat sales, the single most common delay is discovering that a motorized boat lacks an existing Iowa title — perhaps because a previous owner registered it in another state or never titled it. (Only boats 17 feet or longer need an Iowa title.) Check for an Iowa title before listing the boat for sale. If no title exists, begin the Iowa DNR's bonded title or alternative documentation process early, as it can take several weeks to resolve. Buyers should bring both the bill of sale and a completed Form 542-8067 to the county recorder to complete registration and title transfer in a single visit.