Relating to information required for nonresidents who apply for vehicle registration and issuance of a certificate of title

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 14, 2026
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 4, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 25, 202647–0
Done: House committeeMarch 18, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseApril 16, 202681–6
Done: To the GovernorMay 5, 2026
Done: Signed into lawJune 1, 2026

Became SF 2189 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2189 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

Current law requires an owner of a vehicle to apply for registration and issuance of a certificate of title if the vehicle is required to be registered. The application must include information about the owner, the vehicle, nonowner interests in the vehicle, if applicable, the amount of the fee for new registration, and other information as may reasonably be required by the department of transportation (DOT). In particular, the owner’s full legal name, social security number or Iowa driver’s license number or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, date of birth, bona fide residence, and mailing address are required.

Read the full explanation

In addition, if the vehicle is owned by a nonresident but still subject to issuance of a certificate of title or registration in Iowa, the application must also contain the full legal name, Iowa driver’s license number or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, date of birth, bona fide residence, and mailing address of the primary user of the vehicle. This bill provides for alternative application information required for certain nonresidents. Nonresidents who own real property in Iowa that are registering a vehicle that is used primarily at that property may instead apply using the owner’s driver’s license number or nonoperator’s identification card number issued by another state in lieu of both the primary user’s information and the Iowa’s driver’s license number or nonoperator’s identification card number required under current law. A nonresident who applies for registration and issuance of a certificate of title under the bill is required to provide reasonable proof that the nonresident owns such property in Iowa. The DOT must adopt rules regarding acceptable proof of property ownership.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named January 14, 2026. On January 22, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§321.20

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

3 for · 0 against · 7 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Tried before

SF 2278Cleared committee90th GA

91st General Assembly

SF 2025Renumbered SF 2189Became lawfrom SF 2025

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

SF 2278 Relating to information required for nonresidents who apply for vehicle registration and i…
90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · similar
Cleared committee

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.