Trailers

Iowa differentiates trailers by empty weight. 

• Trailers that weigh 2001 lbs or more are required to be titled and have an annual fee of $30/year. 

• Trailers that weigh 2000 lbs or less do not get a title.  They are issued a registration only and have an annual fee of $20/year. 

If you're unsure of the empty weight of the trailer and the manufacturer sticker is illegible, you can obtain a weigh ticket at several local co-ops. 

* DID YOU KNOW?  Iowa registrations may now serve as a bill of sale. Late in 2024, the DOT added information to the registration paper including a field for purchase price.  This means, this registration may serve as proof of purchase price. This is especially important for trailers under 2,000 pounds. These do not have a title, therefore, having the seller complete their field at bottom of the registration with the purchase price means you are not required to complete a separate Bill of Sale.

Does your trailer weigh 2000 pounds or less?  

• In Iowa, trailers weighing less than 2000 pounds are designated "small regular trailers."
• These trailers do not have titles, they have registrations. 
•  With the purchase of a small regular trailer, the previous owner must sign the bottom portion of the most current registration over to the new owner.  If the most current registration cannot be found, the previous owner(s) can order a replacement registration for $3.00 from their county treasurer's office.  If a replacement registration cannot be achieved, the previous owner(s) can complete a bill of sale with all the required information.  
• The new owner(s) will be required to complete an Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration form 411007.
• All ownership transfers are required to have a completed bill of sale listing previous owner name, previous owner signature, new owner name, purchase price, date of sale and vehicle description/information.
• The cost for tranferring a small regular trailer will include:
  • Fee For New Registration (formerly known as Use Tax) which is 5% of the purchase price as reported on the bill of sale, 
  • Registration fee ($20 annual fee or prorated if the trailer is registered for less than 12 months upon transfer)

Does your trailer weigh 2001 pounds or more? 

• In Iowa, these are designated as "regular trailers" and can include bumper hitch or gooseneck. 
• With purchase of a regular or semi trailer, the title must be signed over to the new owner.  If the title cannot be found, the previous owners can order a replacement title from the county that originally titled the trailer.  
• All title transfers require a completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration form 411007
• All title transfers are required to have a completed bill of sale listing previous owner name, previous owner signature, new owner name, purchase price, date of sale and vehicle description/information.   
• The cost for transferring a title will include:
  • Fee For New Registration (formerly known as Use Tax) which is 5% of the purchase price as reported on the bill of sale, 
  • Title fee of $25.00, 
  • Lien fee (if applicable) for $10.00, 
  • Registration fee ($30 annual fee or prorated if the trailer is registered for less than 12 months upon transfer)

Homemade Trailers

If you have constructed a trailer from scratch that does not have a manufacturer's VIN on it, you will need to bring in a weigh ticket and the trailer's specifics: length and width as well as color.  If the trailer is under 2000 lbs, we will register this trailer as a specially constructed small trailer with the previously listed trailer specifics. 

If the trailers empty weight is over 2001 lbs, you’ll need to contact the Motor Vehicle Enforcement office to be issued a VIN.  You can email: [email protected] or call 866-908-4636 to get more information.  

With the purchase of a small regular trailer, the previous owner must sign the bottom portion of the most current registration over.  If the most current registration cannot be found, the previous owner(s) can order a replacement registration for $3.00 from their county treasurer's office.  If a replacement registration cannot be achieved, the previous owner(s) can complete a notarized bill of sale with all the required information.  

• The new owner(s) will be required to complete an application for certificate of title and/or registration form 411007.
• All ownership transfers are required to have a completed bill of sale listing previous owner name, previous owner signature, new owner name, purchase price, date of sale and vehicle description/information.
• The cost for tranferring a title will include:
  • Fee For New Registration (formerly known as Use Tax) which is 5% of the purchase price as reported on the bill of sale, 
  • Registration fee ($20 annual fee or prorated if the trailer is registered for less than 12 months upon transfer)

Boat and Watercraft Trailers

Boat trailer specifications will apply as listed above (by weight).  If you've purchased a boat and trailer combo or jet ski and trailer combo, you will need two appointments.  One appointment with us for the on road trailer transfer, and you will need one with the Marion County Recorders office for the off-road water vessel.  You can find information about the Recorder's office here: https://marioncountyiowa.gov/recorder/

Travel Trailers

All travel trailers & camping trailers have a title regardless of weight.  See title transfers for more information.