Use a temporary boat registration while waiting for your boat registration and title.
Some dealers apply for the boat registration as part of a new boat sale.
If the dealer doesn’t apply for your registration you should contact your County Recorder.
Temporary Boat Registration Process
County Records register and title boats in Iowa.
- New Purchases
The dealer issues you a “registration applied for” placard. This is your temporary boat registration. It is valid up to 35 days from the sale date while waiting on your new registration credentials.
- Private Sales
You have 30 days to register a boat following a private sale. Keep a copy of the Bill of Sale on board as a temporary registration during this time.
Related Agency - Natural Resources
Address: Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-8200