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License Plates in Iowa

[edit] LOST OR STOLEN LICENSE PLATES

As soon as license plates are lost, stolen or illegible they must be replaced. If BOTH personalized plates are stolen/lost they must be replaced with a new plate - duplicates will not be made.

In order to replace your plates you must:

  • Visit your local county treasurer's office.
  • Present proper forms of ID.
  • Hand in any remaining license plates.
  • Fill in an application for replacement plates. Please see the list below for links to the appropriate forms for each type of plate.
  • Pay the license plate replacement fees of $5.

[edit] CUSTOM AND PERSONALIZED PLATES

Regular Series

These are the different types of plates in the regular series: Auto, Commercial, Trailer and Motorcycle. Please see the proper application forms for regular series license plates. When you have completed the forms, take them to your local county treasurer's office and submit them with the appropriate fees (see below).

Special Interest Plates

The following is a list of some examples of special interest plates: Amateur Radio, Armed Forces, Breast Cancer Awareness, Collegiate, God Bless America, Personalized License Plate Design by County, Purple Heart, Retired Armed Forces and Veteran. Click here to see the library of application forms for all Special Interest plates. When you have completed the forms, take them to your local county treasurer's office and submit them with the appropriate fees (see below).

[edit] FEES

The fees for replacing a license plate or getting new plates vary depending on the type of plate you need. For more information on these fees, click here and visit the applicable category for more information. Note: For disabled drivers, please see disability plates application form and fees.

[edit] WHAT TO DO WITH PLATES WHEN BUYING/SELLING A VEHICLE

Under Iowa Law it is mandatory to retain license plates from a vehicle when selling. You may transfer them to another vehicle or surrender them if filling out a claim form for a registration refund.

[edit] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION