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Iowa City, Iowa Yacht Bill of Sale

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

Iowa City, IowaYachtPopulation rank #486

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Yacht 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 — Johnson County

DMV / Title Office

Johnson County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

Address

913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone

(319) 356-6090

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.

Iowa City Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at the Johnson 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 — Johnson County

County Clerk / Recorder

Johnson County Recorder

Phone

(319) 356-6093

Yacht market data and safety information

The most common yacht makes in private-party sales are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking. Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Yachts average 1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Engine.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used yacht

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

  • Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft
  • Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports
  • Check hull condition with moisture meter and visual inspection below waterline
  • Verify USCG documentation or state registration status

Yacht insurance and depreciation in Iowa

Yacht insurance is 1–2% of hull value annually. Agreed-value policies are standard. Navigation limits and crew requirements affect premiums. Yachts depreciate 10–15% per year for the first 5 years. Well-maintained vessels from premium builders hold value best. Peak season for private yacht sales is fall/winter boat shows drive buyer interest for spring delivery, with an average of 90 days on market.

Yacht registration and titling

Yachts are classified as "USCG-documented vessel (over 5 net tons) or state-registered vessel" for registration purposes. Yachts are classified by length overall (LOA), not weight. Vessels over 65 ft may require a licensed captain. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to yachts.

Yacht sales in Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City residents completing a yacht 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 yacht makes in Iowa include Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler.

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 Iowa City in, and which office handles title transfers?

Iowa City is in Johnson County. Title transfers are handled by the Johnson County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle at 913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (319) 356-6090.

What is the sales tax rate on a yacht sale in Iowa City?

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

Is notarization required for a yacht bill of sale in Iowa City?

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

What fees should I expect when transferring a yacht title in Iowa City?

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