BillOfSaleNow

Ankeny, Iowa

How to Fill Out a Ankeny Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Complete guide for filling out a motorcycle bill of sale in Ankeny, Iowa. Includes the exact Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle location, current tax rates, and notarization requirements.

Title Transfer Fee

$25.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Step-by-Step: Filling Out Your Ankeny Motorcycle Bill of Sale

  1. 1

    Enter seller and buyer information

    Write full legal names and current addresses exactly as they appear on government-issued IDs. Both buyer and seller must use their full legal names — no nicknames or abbreviations. Errors here cause delays at the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle.

  2. 2

    Record Motorcycle details and VIN

    Enter the year, make, model, body style, color, and the 17-character VIN exactly as printed on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or door jamb sticker. The VIN must match the vehicle title exactly. Also enter the current odometer reading — federal law mandates accurate odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old.

  3. 3

    Record sale price, date, and payment method

    Write the agreed sale price in both numeral form ($12,500.00) and written form (twelve thousand five hundred dollars). Enter the exact date of the sale — this date triggers the Iowa title transfer requirement. Note payment method: cash, check, or other.

  4. 4

    Both parties sign and date

    Both buyer and seller sign and date the completed form. Sign with blue or black ballpoint ink. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient. Print at least two originals — one for each party.

  5. 5

    Submit to the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

    Bring the signed bill of sale, the vehicle title (signed over on the back), and a valid ID to: 220 W 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50023. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (515) 286-3060. You'll pay the title transfer fee of $25.00 and sales tax at 5.00%.

Ankeny Title & Registration Office

Office

Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

Address

220 W 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50023

Phone

(515) 286-3060

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Special requirements in Polk County:

  • Title transfer at the Polk County Treasurer office within 30 days
  • Iowa charges 5% use tax on private party vehicle purchases
  • Seller must sign the title and provide odometer disclosure
  • Buyer must obtain Iowa plates at the time of title transfer

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Signing before the notary if notarization is required — the notary must witness the signature
  • VIN errors — even one wrong character causes the IA DMV to reject the title transfer
  • Leaving the sale price blank or writing "gift" if money changed hands — this triggers audit risk
  • Skipping odometer disclosure — federal law requires it for vehicles under 10 years old
  • Using correction fluid to fix mistakes — always initial handwritten corrections instead
  • Not keeping a copy — both buyer and seller need a signed original

FAQ — Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Ankeny

Where do I file a motorcycle bill of sale in Ankeny?
File at the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle, located at 220 W 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50023. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (515) 286-3060.
What is the vehicle title transfer fee in Ankeny?
The title transfer fee in Polk County is $25.00. Combined sales tax rate: 5.00%. Iowa charges 5% use tax on private vehicle sales (no local add-on for vehicles)
Does Ankeny, Iowa require notarization for a motorcycle bill of sale?
No. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

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)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA