Contiguous Jurisdiction FAQ

If a customer signs a POA to the dealer or lessor can the contiguous county checkbox be used?​

Yes. If anyone signs a POA they are providing the authority to the agent to make any choices on the transaction, including titling in a contiguous county.

Will an ELT lender see Issuing County vs. Managing County?​

The title and title snapshot will indicate both Issuing County and Managing County.

ELT lenders have access to Title Snapshot from the DOT.

Will replacement title applications also need to go to the Issuing County?

Yes. Customers will need to apply for a replacement title from the Issuing County. Look on the Vehicle Inquiry in ARTS to see if the Issuing County is different than Managing County.

Is a Non-Transferrable Registration eligible?

No. Only title and registration transactions are eligible. However, when the out-of-state title becomes available, the customer may then apply for an Iowa title from a contiguous county.

Would operation of law transfers qualify for contiguous county titling?

Yes. The type of transfer does not matter as long it involves both title and registration.

Operation of Law Transfers

  • Abandoned Vehicle
  • Artisan’s Lien Sale
  • Bankruptcy Order
  • Death Intestate/Testate
  • Decree of Dissolution
  • Device or Bequest
  • Dissolution Decree
  • Execution Sale
  • Foreclosure Sale (Repossession)
  • Inheritance
  • Insolvency
  • Landlord & Storage Lien Sale

Is a non-delinquent vehicle obtained through foreclosure eligible for contiguous county?

Yes. This is an operation of law transfer.

Is a delinquent vehicle obtained through foreclosure eligible for contiguous county?​

Yes. This is an operation of law transfer.

Are trade vehicles with delinquent registrations eligible?​

Yes. The dealer is applying for both title and registration (even though the registration is then switched to dealer) so it is eligible for contiguous county.

How will contiguous county jurisdiction work if the owners live in different counties?

Any owner (including Primary Users) can choose to have the deal sent to one of their contiguous counties.

Are dealer titles eligible for contiguous county?​

No. Dealer titles are title only and contiguous county is only for title and registration transactions.

Is ERT included in contiguous county?

Yes. There is no distinction under law between ERT and paper deals for contiguous county.

What about transactions for small trailers or homemade trailers that don’t create a title?

These can only be done in the Managing County.

If a truck is titled at the county but receives plate and registration through Motor Carrier Services (prorate), is it eligible for contiguous county?

No. This is not a title and registration transaction at the county.

If a customer starts a transaction in one county and needs to stop (for any reason), can they fill out a new application and go to a contiguous county?

Yes. A customer may withdraw an application at any time.  However, they will need to complete a new application. The customer cannot cross out or edit the contiguous county assignment on the title application.

How should a county process an application that does not have the contiguous county box checked?

If the application is received by the Managing County, then it should be transacted.

If the application is received by a contiguous county, it will need to be returned to the dealer.

County staff should not fill in the checkbox or county name.

How should a county process an application that has the contiguous county box checked but no contiguous county is listed?

The application should be returned to the dealer.

County staff should not fill in the county name for the customer.

How should a county process an application that fills in a contiguous county but doesn’t check the box?

The application should be returned to the dealer. County staff should not fill in the checkbox for the customer.

When can we start using the new title applications?

You can use the new application, but the title work can’t be sent to the county until after January 1, 2022.

Can we use the new title app on December deals?

Yes, the form is not based off the purchase date. It goes from date of submission.

Can we use the old application if not using contiguous county?

Yes, the counties will take the old application, but they will request you start using the new form eventually.

Our dealership uses the paper title applications. How do we order these to have in time?

Place pre-orders on store.iada.com.

Retail Application Item Number: IADA TAP4

Lease Application Item Number: IADA TAP5 LEASE

Our dealership uses e-forms. When will the form be available for us to download?

January 1, 2022

Retail Application Item Number: e-IADA TAP4

Lease Application Item Number: e-IADA TAP5 LEASE