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Ames, Iowa Farm Equipment Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a farm equipment in Ames, Iowa. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Ames, IowaFarm EquipmentPopulation rank #557

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Farm Equipment VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Story County

DMV / Title Office

Story County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

Address

900 6th St, Nevada, IA 50201

Phone

(515) 382-7340

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$25.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Base Registration Fee

$35.00

Iowa 5% use tax on private vehicle sales

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Ames Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at the Story County Treasurer office within 30 days
  • Iowa 5% use tax at title transfer
  • Seller must sign title and disclose odometer
  • Both parties should keep a bill of sale copy

County Information — Story County

County Clerk / Recorder

Story County Recorder

Phone

(515) 382-7210

Farm Equipment market data and safety information

The most common farm equipment makes in private-party sales are John Deere, Case IH, AGCO, CLAAS, Kubota. Average private-party farm equipment prices range from $5,000–$200,000. Farm equipments average 0.9 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Hydraulic System, Electrical, Safety Guards.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used farm equipment

Before completing a farm equipment bill of sale in Iowa, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect all safety guards and shields — OSHA requires guarding on all PTO and moving parts
  • Check hydraulic system pressure and hose condition
  • Verify operator station controls and emergency shutoff function
  • Test lights and SMV signage for road transport

Farm Equipment insurance and depreciation in Iowa

Covered under farm policy. Standalone equipment floater policies available for $300–$1,000/year. Well-maintained farm equipment retains value strongly — 50–70% after 10 years for major brands. Peak season for private farm equipment sales is late fall after harvest and late winter before planting, with an average of 50 days on market.

Farm Equipment registration and titling

Farm Equipments are classified as "Farm implement (exempt from standard registration in most states)" for registration purposes. Farm equipment is classified by function (combine, baler, planter, etc.) rather than weight. Oversized equipment may require transport permits for road movement. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to farm equipments.

Farm Equipment sales in Ames, Iowa

Ames residents completing a farm equipment bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Iowa state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% one-time new registration fee instead of sales tax. The most popular farm equipment makes in Iowa include John Deere, Case IH, AGCO.

Iowa bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 772 bill of sale documents for Iowa transactions, with 21 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Ames in, and which office handles title transfers?

Ames is in Story County. Title transfers are handled by the Story County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle at 900 6th St, Nevada, IA 50201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (515) 382-7340.

What is the sales tax rate on a farm equipment sale in Ames?

The combined rate is 5.00%. Iowa 5% use tax on private vehicle sales.

Is notarization required for a farm equipment bill of sale in Ames?

No. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a farm equipment title in Ames?

Title transfer fee: $25.00. Base registration fee: $35.00. Sales tax at 5.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.