It's the Law: Before Going Out

Buying or Selling a Vessel

The steps for transferring ownership of a vessel are essentially the same whether the “seller” is a marine dealer or the “buyer” is an individual purchasing a pre-owned vessel from an individual “seller.”

• The “seller” must complete the form on the back of the Registration Certificate and deliver it to the “buyer” at the time of delivering the vessel. A vessel that has an expired registration certificate from another state may be registered in Iowa upon proper application, payment of all applicable registration and writing fees, and payment of a $5.00 penalty. The “seller” also must sign the back of the certificate of title and deliver it to the “buyer,” if required, with an assignment on it showing the title in the buyer’s name.
• The “buyer” must apply for the transfer of registration, or for original registration of a new vessel, within 30 days of the purchase. In the case of a new vessel, the “buyer” may operate the vessel without displaying a registration number for a period of not more than 35 days after the purchase date, provided the vessel has attached a sign bearing the words “Registration Applied For,” the special certificate number of the dealer, and the date of purchase. Vessels may not be on Iowa waters without a current Registration Certificate and decals.
• No vessel will be registered by the County Recorder until receipts, bills of sale, and the seller’s current registration and title have been presented to the Recorder. If the vessel is purchased new from a dealer, the M.S.O. or M.C.O. and a bill of sale are required. If the vessel is already titled, then the M.S.O. is required. If the vessel has an expired registration from another state, a $5.00 penalty fee is required.

Display of Vessel Capacity

• The passenger capacity of a vessel must be painted on or attached to the starboard (right) side of the vessel within 9 inches of the transom and clearly visible above the waterline when the vessel is fully loaded. The displayed passenger capacity must conform with the passenger capacity designated on the Registration Certificate.
• Most vessels have a U.S. Coast Guard or manufacturer’s plate that shows capacity in number of persons (see vessel capacity). This is the capacity number that must be on the Registration Certificate and displayed on the right side of the vessel. If a vessel does not have a capacity plate, the capacity of the vessel is “operator’s responsibility” and the letters OR must be on the Registration Certificate and displayed on the vessel instead of a capacity number.
• The displayed capacity number (or OR) must be the same size as the registration number on the bow.
• It is illegal to deface, destroy, remove, or alter a vessel’s capacity plate.