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Ankeny, Iowa

Ankeny Side by Side Bill of Sale Requirements

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

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

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements and the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Ankeny buyers and sellers always see the current Iowa side by side bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$25.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Ankeny Side by Side Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid side by side bill of sale in Ankeny, 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
  • Side by Side year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Ankeny: Not Required

Iowa does not require notarization for a side by side bill of sale. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Iowa Side by Side transfer fees and requirements

In Iowa, the title transfer fee is $25 and registration costs Based on weight and value; $50 - $300+ annually. Side by Side sales are subject to 5% one-time registration fee on purchase price. Iowa does not require notarization for private-party side by side transfers. Iowa does not require emission testing for private-party side by side sales.

  • One-time 5% registration fee instead of sales tax
  • Title transfer processed at county treasurer office
  • Damage disclosure statement required

Iowa sales tax on side by side purchases

Iowa has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% one-time new registration fee instead of sales tax. Private-party side by side sales in Iowa are subject to sales tax. 5% one-time fee applies to all vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $25.

Side by Side market data and safety information

The most common side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party side by side prices range from $5,000–$30,000. Side by sides average 2.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used side by side

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

  • Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
  • Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
  • Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
  • Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement
  • Confirm headlights, taillights, brake lights, and (where required) turn signals function
  • Verify horn and reverse-warning beeper operation
  • Check that windshield (if equipped) is rated and unmodified
  • Inspect parking brake operation on a 15-degree slope

Side by Side insurance and depreciation in Iowa

Insurance averages $200–$600/year. Multi-passenger models cost more. Required for on-road use. Side-by-sides depreciate 30–40% in 3 years. Sport models (RZR, Maverick) depreciate faster than utility models (Ranger). Peak season for private side by side sales is spring for recreation, fall for hunting season, with an average of 25 days on market.

Side by Side registration and titling

Side by Sides are classified as "Off-highway vehicle (OHV) — some states allow street-legal conversion" for registration purposes. Side-by-sides range from 1,000–2,000 lbs. Multi-seat crew models weigh more. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to side by sides.

Side by Side title transfer rules

Side-by-side (SxS) UTV title transfer follows off-highway vehicle (OHV) rules in most states. Many states issue an OHV title or registration card rather than a standard motor vehicle title. A signed bill of sale is critical because some states do not title SxS units at all and rely on the bill of sale as primary proof of ownership. States that title SxS units typically use the same title format as ATVs. States that do not title them rely on the bill of sale and the manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO). Always transfer the MCO if it has not been previously surrendered to a state.

Odometer disclosure for side by side sales

Side-by-side UTVs are off-road vehicles and are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580. Document the hour-meter reading on the bill of sale instead — engine hours are the industry-standard wear indicator for SxS units.

Required disclosures for side by side sales in Iowa

When selling a side by side in Iowa, the following disclosures apply:

  • OHV registration and trail-use stickers are state-specific — confirm whether the unit is street-legal in your state under the applicable LSV (low-speed vehicle) or ROV (recreational off-highway vehicle) statute.
  • Aftermarket modifications (lift kits, exhaust, larger tires) may affect insurance and warranty status and should be itemized in the bill of sale.
  • Roll cage and seat-belt condition disclosures are recommended — federal ROV safety standards apply to manufacturers but not to private resale.

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.

Where to File — Ankeny Title 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

Additional 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

What to Bring to the IA DMV

  • 1Completed, signed side by side bill of sale
  • 2Side by Side 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)

FAQ — Side by Side Bill of Sale Requirements in Ankeny

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

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