As an Iowa resident, if you buy a vehicle out of state, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper documentation in order to register it. That typically includes a bill of sale or purchase agreement, a certificate of title application, and more.

When you’re shopping for a new car, your options aren’t confined to state lines. Looking for your next set of wheels out of state can give you more options and help you find better deals on the vehicle you’re looking for.

But it can also make the car buying process a little more complicated. In the interest of saving you some extra time,

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How to buy a car out of state as an Iowa resident

So you’re an Iowa resident, but you found the best available deal on your dream car in another state.

As for what to keep in mind as you navigate the car-buying process out of state, we’ll provide you with some tips in a moment. But once you’ve finalized your purchase, how do you go about getting it registered so you can actually use it once you get back home?

To register a vehicle in Iowa, you need a title, which is your document of ownership, and a completed application for an Iowa certificate of title, registration, or both.

The documentation you’ll need to give your county treasurer for an Iowa motor vehicle title will depend on the circumstances of the purchase. Generally speaking, here’s what those requirements can look like.

Buying a new vehicle purchased from a dealership

If you’re scoring a brand new set of wheels from a dealership, you’ll typically need:

A completed

Iowa certificate of title application

A purchase agreement or bill of sale

Legally assigned manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO)

An odometer statement (find the form on the

Iowa DOT website

)

A damage disclosure form (only applicable when the new vehicle has more than 1,000 miles)

Buying a used vehicle with an out-of-state title

If you’re buying a used vehicle, whether it’s from a private seller or a dealership, you’ll usually need:

A completed

Iowa certificate of title application

The signed title from the previous owner or dealer

A purchase agreement, bill of sale, or sales tax receipt

An odometer statement on the back of the title, or on the applicable form (for 2011 and newer model years)

A completed cancellation of security interest form when the front of the title notes an uncanceled lien (find it on the

DOT website

)

A damage disclosure form (applicable for vehicles eight years old and newer)

If you have additional questions about vehicle registration after an out-of-state purchase, you can visit the

Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website

or contact your county treasurer.

MORE:

What to look for when buying a used car

How to buy a car in Iowa if you live out of state

Let’s consider the reverse situation: what if the car you want is for sale in Iowa and you live in another state?

The exact details will vary based on your own state’s legal requirements, but these are the documents you’ll often need to have on hand to register your vehicle back at home:

A valid bill of sale or purchase agreement (with a notary stamp, depending on your home state’s requirements)

Proof of insurance

Proof of residency in your state

Odometer, damage, or other applicable disclosures

Any additional documentation needed to register the vehicle in your state

What if I don’t have a physical title?

Iowa’s electronic lien and title (ELT) program allows the DOT and lienholders to share title information electronically, so a paper copy of a title isn’t necessarily required.

In fact, it can come with additional benefits, like being able to send titles between parties faster than by mail, less paper waste, and better protection against fraud.

However, lenders need to work with a service provider that’s been approved to transmit ELTs electronically.

You can review more information about Iowa’s ELT program as well as

participating ELT lenders

on the DOT website.

MORE:

Title transfer in Iowa

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

Buying a vehicle out of state can expand your options and potentially help you find a lower sales price on the vehicle you’re looking for, which can be major advantages. However, varying legal requirements can make the actual process of buying a vehicle out of state complicated.

To help your car shopping experience go a little more smoothly, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Always get a vehicle history report if you’re buying used. This is even more of a necessity if you’re buying a used car from a private owner.

CARFAX

and other services can give you vehicle history reports detailing any past accidents or other reported issues that have happened in the car's history.

Schedule your vehicle inspection at home. Some states will require vehicle inspections in order to get them registered. Those are the requirements that will apply to your vehicle, not the state you’re buying it in.

Remember to get an emissions test. It’s not a requirement in Iowa, but plenty of other states require

emissions testing

before you can register your vehicle.

Try to see the car in person. While out of state car shopping can expand your options, long distances might make it more difficult to see a particular car in person. Still, making the trip when you’re really interested in a vehicle can help protect you from too-good-to-be-true offers that end up being scams.

Research your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. When you buy a car out of state, you’ll usually pay sales tax on the vehicle based on the state where you’ll register it.

Decide how you’ll get the car home. Depending on travel logistics and your level of comfort, that could look like driving it yourself (with the proper documentation on hand), or

having the car shipped

by the dealership or a third party.

Buy car insurance before you leave the dealership. If you’re driving your new vehicle home yourself, make sure it’s protected on the drive back! Car insurance providers can typically work with you even as you’re finalizing purchase details with the dealership to make sure you’re covered as soon as you leave the lot. Oh, and if you’re an Iowa resident, remember to ensure that policy meets

Iowa’s minimum car insurance requirements

Don’t delay registration. You’ll only have a certain window of time to register your vehicle in your home state in order to continue driving it legally.

MORE:

How to check if a used car is a lemon

How to save on car insurance in Iowa

Shopping for cars out of state can expand your options if you’re looking for the best deal on a specific vehicle make or model. Why not continue your car ownership savings by expanding your car insurance options?

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That leaves you with plenty more time to focus on the details of your new car purchase—and ensure it’s adequately protected on your first drive home.

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