Frequently Asked Questions

By taking some simple precautions and doing a bit of research, buyers can prevent problems, meet their legal responsibilities, and ride those waves or hit that trail sooner.

Call the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, your local County Recorder or your local DNR Officer to check the registration history of the vehicle/vessel that you are trying to purchase for active liens and to verify that the vehicle/vessel has not been reported stolen. This is done by providing the registration number and/or the HIN/VIN to the one of the parties listed above.            

You might also check to make sure the person selling it to you is the owner and has authority to sell it. If the vehicle/vessel is being sold at auction, a web site or even a garage sale, the proper paperwork is still required before it can be registered.

Other things to watch for or ask for:

• Records/Maintenance/Repairs made /Aftermarket parts
• Registration numbers, VIN numbers/hull ID – are they authentic? Do not purchase if they have scraped or altered in any way.
• Your insurance company is also a good source of reference. They should be able to inform you if the vehicle/vessel has ever had a claim or been reported stolen. You can also check to see if there are any insurance requirements

Bonding is only available for Iowa residents, unless you are going to use your vessel / vehicle on Iowa waters / Iowa land.

If the vessel or vehicle has ever been registered or titled in any state, you will need to complete the bonding process.

You always need a bill of sale or proof of ownership to even do the bonding process.

Example: The last registered owner will not work with me and/or did not provide me with a title and or registration. They said they would mail it but did not.

Most likely, they did not have it and are not able to get it since it was not in their name and they are not the last registered owner as they portrayed. You will have to complete the bonding process.

The DNR will attempt to contact the next of kin/executor of the estate who may be able to sign for the last registered owner. You most likely will still have to complete the bonding process.

The one and only person that can obtain a lien release is the last registered owner. And, with banks being bought and sold, it is sometimes impossible to obtain a lien release even if you are the last registered owner. The vehicle cannot be bonded or registered if the lien cannot be released.

It may have been stolen from them at some point and could legally be returned leaving you out the money you spent on it.

It does not legally belong to you. If it has been abandoned, you must relinquish it to the local Sheriff. See abandonment - Iowa Code 556B

At this time, there is no cost from the DNR to complete the bonding process unless you end up purchasing a bond during the long process. The cost of the bond will be initiated by and paid to the insurance company where you purchase the bond. You will still have to pay the normal registration fees for the vessel or vehicle at the County Recorder's office in your county.

It is a written document received at the time the vehicle/vessel was acquired, such as a bill of sale, statement of gift or cancelled check. 

This document must include the following information: 

• Year
• Make
• Model
• Registration Number
• HIN of vessel or VIN of vehicle
• Buyer’s printed name and address
• Seller's printed name and address
• Date of purchase
• Purchase price