Show All Answers

1. How do I renew my driver's license?

Your Iowa Driver's License is issued through the Iowa DOT. Please call 319-377-6461 with any questions regarding driver's licenses.  Their physical address is 3726 Queen Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

2. How do I get a replacement title?

Replacement titles must be obtained from the County where it was issued. All owners on the face of the title must sign for a replacement title, even if there is OR between the names. If you just made an error on your title and you need a replacement, you can surrender your title, complete an Application for Replacement Title, pay $25, and get a title the same day. If the title to your vehicle was altered, destroyed, lost, or stolen you may obtain a replacement for $25. You need to complete an Application for Replacement Title, pay $25, and after 5 days your title will be printed. If the scheduled print day falls on a weekend or holiday, your title will be printed on the next working day. You can indicate on the application if you would like the replacement title mailed to you or if you would like to come back and pick it up. The 5 day waiting period will NOT start until we receive the application for replacement title and the $25 payment. All of the vehicle information required on this form can be found on your vehicle registration. All owners on the face of the title must sign for a replacement title even if there is an OR between the names. If you have a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder may have the title. If you had a lien originally and it was paid off, please call the Treasurer’s office to see if the lien was released on our system. If not, you will need a notarized lien release from the lienholder on their letterhead. Applications should be mailed to: Linn County Treasurer 935 2nd St SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Application for Replacement Title

3. How do I order Specialty Plates?

Please visit the Iowa DOT Personalized & Specialty Plates page to complete your order through our EASY online process. The plates will be mailed to the Treasurer's Office within 3-4 weeks. We will send you a letter when the plates are in. You will need to bring in your old plates to switch them out with the new plates. 

4. How do I renew my plates?

You can renew your plates by mail, in person, over the phone or at www.iowataxandtags.org

5. How do I transfer a title?

If you purchased a vehicle, you will bring in the title, along with the supporting documents (see below) to transfer. If you are an Iowa resident and are selling a vehicle, you must have an Iowa title. If you have an out of state title, you will need to pay $25.00 to obtain the Iowa title. Seller(s) must sign and print their name of the back of the title. If the word “and” is used on the face of the title, all owners must sign. The date of sale must be entered. If the vehicle is 9 years old or newer, the seller must complete the odometer section and legend box on the title . If the vehicle is 7 years old or newer, the seller must complete the odometer and the damage disclosure section. Any alterations, erasures or cross-outs may void the title and a replacement may be required. If purchased from a dealer, a purchase agreement is required. You can also refer to the “How to Sell your Vehicle in Iowa “guide by Iowa DOT. Many situations would require more information. Call your Linn County Treasurer’s Office at 319-892-5500 for assistance. Every transfer requires an Application for Title and must be signed by all buyers. Please refer to the forms section for the application for title. 

Back of Title Example

6. I just moved to Linn County, what should I do?

If you moved to Linn County from another county in Iowa, you can get an updated registration to reflect your current address at our office, located at 935 2nd St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. You will keep the same plates & title, but you will now renew your vehicles with us. Your plates are valid throughout the state but if you would like Linn County plates, you must surrender your old plates and pay an additional $5 fee. If you are leasing a vehicle, please contact our office at 319-892-5500 for more information. 

If you moved to Linn County from another state, you will need to bring in your driver’s license, social security number & out of state title so that we can issue an Iowa title. (If a lienholder has your title, you can bring in your out of state registration instead of your title.) Iowa law requires that you register your motor vehicle within 30 days of bringing the vehicle into Iowa. Iowa registration is required even though your plates may still be valid in another state. We will also need an application for title and/or registration signed by all owners on the title and/or registration. You can find the application at this link:

Application for Title and/or Registration

7. I just sold my vehicle, what do I do with my plates?

If you sold your vehicle & do not plan to replace it; turn your plates in within 6 months of the date of sale and we will apply for a refund of any credit, $10 or more.

If you sold your vehicle and plan to replace it within the next 6 months; you may use those plates on your next vehicle. Any credit, $10 or more, will be applied to the registration on your new vehicle.

If you have turned in your leased vehicle, you will need to fill out a Claim for Refund and a Lease Termination along with your plates. You can then apply for a refund as long as there is $10 credit or more left.

If you moved out of state, you will need to fill out a claim for refund and also send in a current copy of your out of state registration for each vehicle. You can then apply for a refund as long as there is a $10 credit or more left.

The Claim for Refund and Lease Termination form can be found under the forms link.

Claim for Refund

8. What do I do when an owner on the title is deceased?

There are many circumstances regarding the death of an owner of a vehicle. Please contact our office at 319-892-5500 for any questions about this. Please have the title with you in case we have questions.

Testate/Intestate Flowchart

9. What if I want the new plate design?

If you want the new plate design and your current plate is not ten years old and up for replacement, you need to bring in the old plates and exchange them for the new plate design. There is a $5.00 fee to switch from your current plates to the new plate design. The plate numbers/letters would not be the same when you switch from your current plates to the new plate design. 

10. Who should I make a check or money order payable to?

Please make checks or money orders payable to Linn County Treasurer.

11. How do I put a vehicle in storage?

The owner of a vehicle may, before the vehicle registration becomes delinquent in any year, turn in the registration plates for a vehicle to the County Treasurer of the county where the vehicle is registered. A vehicle eligible for semiannual installments may not be stored until the second semiannual installment is paid. There is no refund of registration fees when placing a vehicle in storage. You may re-register your vehicle at any time in the future with the payment of the full current annual registration fee due at that time. However, if a vehicle was placed in storage any month prior to the expiration of the registration, replacement plates must be issued and replacement plate fee paid.

Military Storage in Time of War

If the vehicle is registered for the current year and the owner has entered the military service of the United States in time of war and the vehicle has been placed in storage, a refund may be applied for on the unexpired months of the registration year by making a verbal statement. Registration plates must be turned in. Upon the owner's return to the State of Iowa, the vehicle will be registered for the remaining months of the registration year.

12. How do I obtain license plates/registration due to Impound?

Contact the Treasurer’s office by phone at 319-892-5500 or by email for the required fee and documentation.  

13. How do I pay non-sufficient funds/revoke?

Contact the Treasurer’s office by phone at 319-892-5500 or by email for the required fee and documentation.