County Recorders file and maintain births and deaths that have occurred in that county and file and maintain marriages of the licenses that were applied for in that county. The fee at the county level is $15.00 for each certified copy. We cannot accept personal checks for payment. Entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued.

ATV, ORV, and Snowmobiles

The Iowa County Recorder has the responsibility of registering and titling ATV’s, ORV's, and snowmobiles of Iowa County residents. Registrations expire on December 31st of each year. Titles are required on all ATV’s registered since January 2000 and on all snowmobiles registered since January 1998. The titling fee is $11.50. Lien filing fee is an additional $11.50. As of July 1, 2009, ATV's, ORV's and snowmobiles are subject to the state sales tax of 6 percent plus local option taxes, if any. this applies to sales by individuals, as well as, dealers.

Items needed when transferring an ATV, ORV, or Snowmobile

• Bill of Sale
• Title, if applicable (signature of seller required on backside of title)
• Proof sales tax has been paid, if applicable
• Application for Registration, Title and Security Interest

Boats

The Iowa County Recorder has the responsibility of registering and titling vessels of Iowa County residents. boat registrations expire on April 30th, every three years starting in 2007. boat fees are based on the length of the boat. all boats 17 feet and longer require a title (except canoes, kayaks and inflatable vessels). 

Items needed when transferring an ATV, ORV, or Snowmobile

• Bill of Sale
• Title, if applicable (signature of seller required on backside of title)
• Proof sales tax has been paid, if applicable
• Application for Registration, Title and Security Interest

State Sales Tax Information

Sales of boats and other watercraft in Iowa are subject to the state sales tax of 6 percent plus local option taxes, if any. This applies to sales by Individuals, as well as, dealers. Anyone purchasing a boat from an individual should obtain a receipt that shows the cost of the boat. The buyer will then pay the sales tax on the cost of the boat to the County Recorder.

Fishing & Hunting Licenses

The Recorder’s office sells fishing, hunting, fur harvestor, deer and wild turkey licenses. Habitat, migratory bird and trout fees may be purchased as well. 

Genealogy Research is not performed by the Iowa County Recorder’s office. however, this office has land and vital records that are open to the public.

The Iowa County Recorder’s office maintains and records official records of documents affecting title to property and miscellaneous documents. Records date back to 1838.

Most recorded documents are public record and can be viewed in-office such as:

Deeds
Contracts
Mortgages
Assignments, Releases
Federal and State Tax Liens
Affidavits
Plats & Surveys
Section Corner Certificates
Military Service Records
Easements
Condemnations
Trade Names
Leases
28E & Drainage Agreements
Bills of Sale
Articles of Incorporation

Financing Statements
Other Numerous Documents

You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa. Marriage Applications are accepted in Iowa County during regular business hours up to half an hour before closing.

You must use the most current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. In order to receive the application by mail or email, Please call the Recorder's Office & request the Marriage application. Otherwise, you must apply in person at the Recorder's office.

The couple intending to marry and one witness (someone that's acquainted with the couple and is 18 or older) must come into the office and fill out the application.

• The applicants and witness must have a photo I.D.
• The Fee is $35.00.
• The five day waiting period begins the day the application is submitted to the Recorder's Office.

Once the marriage has been performed and the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the recorder’s office and placed on record, a Certified copy will be mailed to Party A and Party B. Either Party may use use this certified copy for a name change on social security and driver’s license, etc.

Military discharge papers (DD 214’s) may be filed in the Howard County Recorder’s office. An original or certified copy is needed for filing purposes. If you wish to request a certified copy of a military discharge, please complete and return the application. This may be done in person or through the mail.

Notice:

• Please send a photo copy of your driver’s license if mailing. entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued.
• There is no charge to record or obtain a certified copy of a military record.

If you are enlisted from the State of Iowa, please contact:

Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs

7105 NW 70th Avenue

Camp Dodge Bldg. A6A

Johnston, IA 50131-1824

Please call for passport appointment times.

 Print Document

For additional Passport Information and Assistance, please visit this website - Travel.State.Gov

The Iowa County Recorder’s Office is a passport acceptance facility for the US Department of State Federal Passport Agency.Our Passport Agent, Lynn Gahring, can assist US Citizens, who meet the passport application requirements, with obtaining a US Passport Book or Passport Card.

The following must be submitted with your passport application:

A. EVIDENCE OF CITIZENSHIP (One of the following)

1. A certified copy of your birth certificate and/or previous passport.

The birth certificate must be issued from the state or the county, NOT the hospital.

2.Naturalization Certificate (will be returned with passport)

3.Expired Passport (will be returned with passport)

B. TWO IDENTICAL PASSPORT PHOTOS

2x2 inches in size. 
The Recorder's Office does take Passport Photos for $15.00. Please do not wear white or grey.

C. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

Valid Driver's License must be presented (NOT driving permit)

D. FEES FOR PASSPORT BOOKS

16 & over (per person) $130.00 Check/money order to "US Department of State" $209.53 with expedite fee ($60.00) and Express Mail fee ($19.53) AND $35.00 Check/money order to "Iowa County Recorder" $50.00 with photos

UNDER 16 (per person) $100.00 Check/money order to "U.S. Department of State" $179.53 with expedite fee ($60.00) and Express Mail fee ($19.53) AND $35.00 Check/money order to "Iowa County Recorder" $50.00 with photos.  If minor is age 16 or under, both parents must sign in front of the Passport Agent

E. FEES FOR PASSPORT CARDS

$30.00 check/money order to "U.S. Department of State" $35.00 check/money order to "Iowa County Recorder" $50.00 with photos

F. EXPRESS MAIL

You may request mailing application/ by Express Mail.  Postage to mail your application for processing will be $28.75 payable to the U.S. Post Master.

G. EXPEDITE FEE FOR PASSPORT - $60.00

If you have not received your passport, you may want to check the status with the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or www.travel.state.gov.

We provide Real Estate Informational pages that can be customized to search for specific Real Estate or Tax Sale information.

The Iowa County Recorder/Registrar charges the following amounts for services listed. Please send a self-addressed stamped return envelope with all filings. Most documents are returned in 1-2 days.

Copy Fees:

• Copies: $1.00 per page
• Certified Copies: $5.00 certification fee, plus $1.00 per page copy fee

Recording Fees:

• Mortgage: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page Miscellaneous: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page
• Release: $7.00 for each document released on 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page
• Partial Release: $7.00 for each document released on 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page
• Amendment: $7.00 for each document amended on 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page
• Assignment: $7.00 for each document being assigned on 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page
• Deed: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Change of Title: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Change of Title Affidavit: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Tax Sale Deed: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Contract: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Forfeiture of Contract: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
• Assignment of Contract (between individuals only): $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 each additional page, plus auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each  township section or city block