Iowa Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Iowa.
Iowa boat registration and titling overview is a public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Iowa. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration and Titling Agency
Iowa boat registrations and titles are administered by the
Department of Natural Resources which is headquartered in Des Moines.
Service outlets are also available form the respective county clerks'
offices.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 211,177 boats
currently registered in the State of Iowa which accounts for 1.8%
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 814 owners with an
Iowa address and 620 documented vessels that display an Iowa hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Iowa has not yet adopted
the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically
sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles.
There is no title branding for stolen boats, accidents or salvaging in Iowa.
Vessel Information System: Iowa participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration and Titling Requirements
Iowa requires registration and titling on all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
Referrals for this page.
Motor Boats: All motorized boats must be registered in
Iowa.
Sailboats: All sailboats must be registered in Iowa.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and
Kayaks, including those which are inflatable, that are 13 ft. or less in length, and do
not have a motor or sail are exempt.
Inflatable Boats: Inflatable boats
without a motor or sail that are 7 ft. or less in length are exempt.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats: Dinghies and lifeboats must be registered unless
otherwise exempt.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels
are exempt from titling but must be registered in Iowa.
Visiting Boats:
Boats currently registered in another state or country are allowed
visitation privileges in Iowa for 60 consecutive days
without registering.
Boat Titles
- Boat titles are issued in Iowa on all registered boats except for those
which are Coast Guard documented. These are provided upon initial
registrations.
Residency
Requirements: You must be an Iowa resident in order to register a boat
in this state.
Outboard Motors: Titling and registration are not
available for outboard boat motors in Iowa.
Boat Trailers: Boat
trailer registration is required in Iowa and titling is required on those weighing over 2,000 lbs.
Registration Application
Boat registrations in Iowa are
implemented by filing an Application for Registration form along
with any additional items and fees. This may be submitted in
person or by mail to the DNR or a county clerk's office. In
addition to these, you will need to submit sufficient
evidence of ownership, fees and taxes.
Application Forms: Application and supplemental boat title and
registration forms are available by visiting the DNR
or a
county clerk's website.
Manufacturer's Statement: When a new boat is to be registered for the
first time, you must present a Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin (MSO) or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective state laws.
Mechanic's Liens: When
registering a boat foreclosed upon pursuant a mechanic's or
storage lien, the claimant must provide evidence of compliance
with the respective state laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding: Iowa has provisions for bonded boat titles. Further information is available from the DNR website.
Registration Fees: The most
current list of boat registration fees for Iowa may be found by
visiting the DNR website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Iowa begin with an
"IA" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two
letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along
with the current registration decals. State boat numbering
configuration, size and placement requirements are actually
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the Referrals.
Hull Numbers: All vessels
built after 1972 are required to have a properly formatted 12
digit hull identification number. Although typically assigned
and installed by the manufacturer, owners with older, homemade,
or imported boats may apply to the DNR for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "IAZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code (MIC). Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official
whenever their is a missing or deficient hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered Iowa are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security interests in
Iowa are listed on the certificate of title. Security interests
in non-titled and non-documented boats must recorded as UCC
filings with the Secretary of state. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's
boat registration
database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records,
or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
Iowa boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of posting such information for the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats do not actually qualify as maritime liens,
the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a
subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording
stolen boats in Iowa other than by filing a report with a
local law enforcement agency. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Registration, Title and Lien Searches
Title and lien search methods for Iowa registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration and title records for Iowa are maintained in a
database administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
Access to such data is available for owners and certain
qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards.
Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Iowa can
be found in the References for this page.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Iowa are available online
from the Secretary of State's office.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information of USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this page.
Stolen Boat Search: Iowa does not maintain a list of boats that
have been stolen within the state. You will need to contact a
law enforcement agency for such information.
Proprietary Searches: Our
proprietary lien claims and stolen boat registries may prove
helpful and are free if charge. These can be accessed from the
referrals for this page.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax:
Boats residing in Iowa are subject to sales or
use tax. Contact the Department
of Revenue or respective county clerk's office for additional
details and the most current information.
These must be paid or a receipt for prior payment must be
provided at the time of registration.
Personal Property
Tax: Boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in Iowa.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability
and collision insurance are not required in Iowa. However,
you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be
subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is
highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage
purposes or when making a loan on the boat.
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements: Individuals from 12 to
17 years old operating a motorboat over 10 horsepower or any
personal watercraft must carry a boater education card when
underway.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Iowa must be immediately reported to
the Department of Natural Resources or some other enforcement agency.
Notifications: The DNR must be notified
whenever a registered boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The Department of Natural Resources is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Iowa. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should always consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections