Boat Dealers

The information on this page concerns guidelines and responsibilities for Iowa boat dealers, distributors, and manufacturers. You can find the full applicable code within the Iowa Code. 
There are three categories for certification: manufacturer, distributor and dealer. You are required to be a certified boat manufacturer if you manufacture boats and your business is located in Iowa. If you distribute to dealers you must became a certified distributor. You are not required to be a certified boat dealer but you will need to register the boats you sell in your company name before they are sold to your customer if you do not become certified. 
 

Required Forms

• Boat Dealer or Manufacturer Application 542-0488  

Note: If a manufacturer or dealer has an established place of business in more than one city, the manufacturer or dealer shall secure a separate and distinct special certificate and general distinguishing number for each such place of business.

Remit the completed application(s) and fees to: 
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Licensing Section
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50321

Fees & Registration Period

• New Registrations: $18.65 includes one Boat Dealer Special Certificate; additional certificates may be requested at the time of application for $5.65 each; new registrations shall expire on April 30, 2025 for the current registration period (2025-2028)
• Renewal Registrations: $20.65 includes one Boat Dealer Special Certificate; additional certificates may be requested at the time of application for $7.65 each; Renewal registrations can be processed at any county recorder office.
• Duplicates: May be requested from the county recorder in the county in which the business is located for $7.65 each

Renewal Information

A notice will be mailed to you prior to the renewal period. All current boat dealers can renew with any county recorder's office. Renewals cannot be processed by the Iowa DNR.

Received Upon Approval

The following documents will be sent to you following the approval of your new dealer registration:

1. Special Certificate for Dealer  
   A manufacturer or dealer owning, storing, repairing, or altering a vessel required to be registered under this chapter may operate the vessel for purposes of transporting, testing, demonstrating, or selling the vessel without registering each such vessel, provided that any such vessel displays thereon a special certificate issued to the manufacturer or dealer as provided in this chapter. This special certificate shall not be used for any vessel offered for hire or for any work or service vessels owned by a manufacturer or dealer.
2. Registration Applied For cards   
   Allows the customer to use the vessel for 35 days while the registration if being processed by the county recorder. The registration applied for card may be used only after an application for registration has been made to the county recorder. Placing a completed application for registration and required fee in the mail to the recorder shall constitute making an application. 
3. Applications for vessel registration  
   1. Application for vessel registration 542-8067
4. Boat Dealer Manual 
5. List of boat registration fees 

After Approval Requirements

• The registration applied for card may be used only after an application for registration has been made to the county recorder. Placing a completed application for registration and required fee in the mail to the recorder shall constitute making an application.
• Dealer’s record of vessel bought, sold, or transferred. Every dealer shall maintain for three years a record of any vessel bought, sold, exchanged, or received for sale or exchange. This record shall be open to inspection by department representatives during reasonable business hours. 
• Number assigned – special signs. The commission, upon granting any such application, shall issue to the applicant a special certificate containing the applicant’s name and address, the general distinguishing number assigned to the applicant, the word “manufacturer” or  "dealer”, and such other information as the commission may prescribe. The manufacturer or dealer shall have the number so awarded printed upon or attached to a removable sign or signs to be temporarily but firmly mounted upon or attached to the vessel being used, and the display must meet the requirements of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the commission.

See a list of current registered Iowa boat dealers.

Contact & Requests

To request additional applications for boat registrations and/or registration applied for cards, please email us or call DNR customer service at 515-725-8200.