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Ames, Iowa

Ames Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements

Complete requirements checklist for a motorcycle bill of sale in Ames, Iowa. Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the Story County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle.

Title Transfer Fee

$25.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Ames Motorcycle Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid motorcycle bill of sale in Ames, Iowa:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Motorcycle year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Odometer reading at time of sale (federal disclosure required for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Ames: Not Required

Iowa does not require notarization for a motorcycle bill of sale. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Where to File — Ames Title Office

Office

Story County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

Address

900 6th St, Nevada, IA 50201

Phone

(515) 382-7340

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Additional requirements in Story County:

  • 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

What to Bring to the IA DMV

  • 1Completed, signed motorcycle bill of sale
  • 2Motorcycle title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $25.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (5.00% of sale price)
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (if not included on title)

FAQ — Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements in Ames

What are the required fields on a motorcycle bill of sale in Ames?
A valid motorcycle bill of sale in Ames, Iowa must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a motorcycle in Ames?
The title transfer fee in Story County is $25.00. The motorcycle sales tax rate is 5.00%. Iowa 5% use tax on private vehicle sales
Is notarization required for a motorcycle bill of sale in Ames?
No. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
Where do I file a motorcycle title transfer in Ames?
File the title transfer at the Story County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle, 900 6th St, Nevada, IA 50201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (515) 382-7340.

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