Departments | Treasurer | Frequently Asked Questions
- Where are you located?
- What is your phone/fax number?
- Can I renew my plates online?
- How do I change my address on my vehicle registration?
- How do I replace a lost registration?
- How do I replace the plate that I lost from my vehicle?
- How do I replace the validation sticker that fell off my plate?
- How do I replace a lost title for my vehicle?
- How do I replace a title I never received from Cerro Gordo County?
- How do I replace an altered or damaged title?
- How can I contact the Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Vehicle Services?
- If I buy a car, where do I get the title transferred into my name?
- Where do I go to get a refund on my plates?
- Where do I get additional forms if they are needed to complete the vehicle title process?
- Where do I apply for personalized license plates?
- Where do I go to get a personalized plate replaced, I have lost one of mine?
- If I put my vehicle in storage, do I have to buy the plates every year?
- When I take my vehicle out of storage, do I get free plates to put back on the vehicle?
- What does the name connector "and", "or", "and/or" mean on the face of my vehicle titles as it relates to selling my vehicle?
- How does the state determine the amount of my registration fees?
- When do I use a Damage Disclosure Statement?
- When can I renew my plates?
- When do I receive a property tax statement?
- When are my taxes due?
- I mailed my payment on the due date and now I am getting a balance due statement for delinquent taxes, why?
- I thought my mortgage company paid my taxes?
- Can I make a partial payment of my tax due?
- What happens if my taxes are not paid by the due date?
- What are my payment options when paying my property taxes?
- Where do I make my payment?
- What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold?
- I just purchased this property and I am now being told that I am responsible for a full year of taxes, how can this be?
- How do I add or change a mailing address for my tax statement?
- Where can I get the latest information about my property?
- My property taxes are paid and I want to know who paid them.
- Why were special assessment statements mailed to me?
- I am going to be moving my mobile home to another location, do I need a tax clearance form?
- What should I do if I have a tax sale on my property?
- Is there any type of credit or help available for elderly, disabled or low-income property owners?
Where are you located?
- Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
- 220 North Washington Avenue
- Mason City, IA 50401
- 1st floor, south side of building
- Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm
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What is your phone/fax number?
- Phone:(641)421-3126
- Fax: (641)421-3089
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Can I renew my plates online?
It is possible to renew your vehicle online. The accepted payment
methods are Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa Card and eCheck. An
eCheck is a method of debiting the funds electronically from your
checking account, just as if you would write a check. The Service
Delivery Fee for credit card is approximately two percent (2%)
of the total fee due. When paying by eCheck the Service Delivery
Fee is $2.00.
Before you begin, you will need the PIN from your renewal notice.
If you have lost your notice, there is a link on the renewal
website for you to get your PIN.
Renew your vehicle online.
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How do I change my address
on my vehicle registration?
- You can call our office (641)421-3126 with your plate number(s)
and the Office Specialist will change your address over the
phone and mail you a new registration showing your new address.
- Or you can bring in your current registration to the office
and change your address and receive a new registration.
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How do I replace
a lost registration?
The fee for a lost registration is $3.00. Either mail in your
plate number and $3.00 and a registration will be mailed to you
or come into the office with the plate number and $3.00.
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How do I replace the plate
that I lost from my vehicle?
Iowa law requires that two plates be displayed on your vehicle
at all times except for motorcycles, trailers and truck tractors.
- Bring in your current registration and the one remaining
plate from the vehicle to the office.
- Replacement plates and registration will be issued for a
fee of $5.00.
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How do I replace the
validation sticker that fell off my plate?
- Bring in your current registration to the office or call
(641)421-3126 to report the sticker missing.
- A replacement validation sticker and registration is issued
at no charge.
- If you come in to the office, a new validation sticker and
registration is issued immediately.
- If you call, a validation sticker and registration is mailed
the next day.
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How do I replace a lost
title for my vehicle?
- The owner of the vehicle will properly complete a Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application.
- If the lost title reflects more than one person on the face
of the title for ownership then all owners must sign the Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application.
- If the title has an open lien (the vehicle title is held
by a financial institution or the lien was never released
on the State Motor Vehicle system), the Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application
must be applied for by the lien holder unless the lien holder
sends a separate lien release by filling out a Cancellation
of Security Interest form
(must be notorized).
- Once the application is received and accepted by our office
there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the duplicated
title is issued.
- On the 6th day the duplicate title is issued and either mailed
or picked up in the office.
- The duplicate title fee is $15.00.
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How do I replace a title
I never received from Cerro Gordo County?
- You have to wait 20 days before you can apply for a lost-in-mail
title but not more than 60 days.
- All parties who appear on the face of the title must sign
the Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application.
- There is no fee for a lost in mail duplicate title.
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How do I replace an altered
or damaged title?
- The owner(s) of the vehicle will properly complete a Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application.
- If the altered or damaged title reflects more than one person
on the face of the title for ownership, then all owners must
sign the Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application.
- If the title has an open lien (the vehicle title is held
by a financial institution or the lien was never released
on the State Motor Vehicle system), the Replacement
of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle Application
must be applied for by the lien holder unless the lien holder
sends a separate lien release by filling out a Cancellation
of Security Interest form
(must be notarized).
- If the altered or damaged title accompanies the application,
the duplicate title is issued immediately.
- The duplicate title fee is $15.00.
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How can I contact the Iowa Department
of Transportation, Office of Vehicle Services?
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If I buy a car, where
do I get the title transferred into my name?
If you live in Cerro Gordo County, you can title and register
your car at the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer's Office.
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Where do I go to get a refund
on my plates?
You can bring your plates and registration to the Cerro Gordo
County Treasurer's Office and fill out a Claim
for Refund.
The claim will be sent to the Department of Transportation. If
the claim is approved, a refund will be mailed to you within four
to six weeks.
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Where do I get additional
forms if they are needed to complete the vehicle title process?
Additional forms can be acquired at the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer's
Office, or check out the Iowa Department of Transportation's Motor
Vehicle Division Forms page.
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Where do I apply
for personalized license plates?
You can pick up an application for personalized plates at the
Cerro Gordo County Treasurer's Office, or download it from the Iowa
Department of Transportation's web site. Mail the completed
form to the Iowa
Department of Transportation, Office of Vehicle Services,
Records and Titles Section, Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid, Box 9278,
Des Moines, Iowa, 50306-9278
or
You can apply for personalized plates at the Iowa
Department of Transportation, Office of Vehicle Services,
Records and Titles Section, Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Avenue,
Box 9278, Des Moines, Iowa, 50306-9278.
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Where do I go to get a
personalized plate replaced, I have lost one of mine?
You can apply for duplicate plates and pay applicable fees by
bringing in your current registration to the Cerro Gordo County
Treasurer's Office, 220 N Washington, Mason City, IA 50401. You
will receive a letter from our office letting you know when your
replacement plates have arrived.
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If I put my vehicle in storage,
do I have to buy the plates every year?
No, you can put the plates "in storage" at the Cerro
Gordo County Treasurer's Office. This will eliminate you from
paying a penalty when you decide to take the vehicle out of storage.
However, in order to store the plates, they do need to be currently
registered. The plates and the current registration need to be
turned in to the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer's Office so that
the State Motor Vehicle System can be updated and the registration
stamped "STORED".
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When I take my vehicle
out of storage, do I get free plates to put back on the vehicle?
If you take the vehicle out of storage during the same registration
year that you put the vehicle in storage, you will get a free
set of plates. If the current year has expired, you will pay a
full-year's fee in order to get your plates out of storage.
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What does the name connector
"and", "or", "and/or" mean on the
face of my vehicle title as it relates to selling my vehicle?
The name connector "and" means that both owners that
are listed on the vehicle title will have to sign as sellers when
the vehicle is sold.
The name connector "or" means that only one of the
owners that are listed on the face of the vehicle title will have
to sign as seller when the vehicle is sold.
The name connector "and/or" means that both owners
that are listed on the vehicle title will have to sign as sellers
when the vehicle is sold.
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How does the state
determine the amount of my registration fees?
All passenger cars and 1993 and newer multipurpose vehicle fees
are computed as follows:
$.40 per hundred pounds
plus |
| Model Years Old |
% of Listprice |
| 1-5 |
1.00 |
| 6 |
0.75 |
| 7-8 |
0.50 |
| 9 and after |
0.10 |
Example: |
Weight 3,000, list price:
$18,000 |
3,000/100 x $.40 = $12 |
$18,000 x 1% = $185 |
Annual
Fee $197 |
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When do I use a
Damage Disclosure Statement?
A Damage
Disclosure Statement
is required to be completed for all motor vehicles that are being
transferred except for those listed below:
- motor trucks and truck tractors with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 16,000 pounds or more
- motor vehicles more than nine model years old
- motorcycles
- motorized bicycles
- special mobile equipment
- new motor vehicles with a true mileage of 1,000 miles or
less.
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When can I renew my
plates?
You have the month prior, the month of and up to the last business
day of the month following your renewal month to renew without
penalty.
| Month |
Renew prior to |
| January |
March 1 |
| February |
April 1 |
| March |
May 1 |
| April |
June 1 |
| May |
July 1 |
| June |
August 1 |
| July |
September 1 |
| August |
October 1 |
| September |
November 1 |
| October |
December 1 |
| November |
January 1 |
| December |
February 1 |
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When do I receive
a property tax statement?
Statements are mailed out to the titleholder of record prior
to September 1st of each year.
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When are my taxes due?
Your tax statement will provide you with two payment stubs, one
for the first half and one for the second half. You may choose
to pay the full year at once or pay each half by the due date.
The first half of property tax is
due by September 30th of each year. Late interest will accrue
starting October 1st.
The second half of property tax
is due by March 31st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting
April 1st.
The interest rate on delinquent taxes is one and one-half percent
per month (rounded to the nearest dollar with a $1 minimum).
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I mailed my payment on the
due date and now I am getting a balance due statement for delinquent
taxes, why?
Your payment must be postmarked by the due date in order to be
processed as a timely payment. If you are receiving a balance
due statement, then your payment was not postmarked on time and
late interest has accrued. We have processed your payment and
have sent you a statement for the remaining balance.
Placing your payment in the mailbox on the due date does not
guarantee the envelope will be postmarked on that day. The Treasurer's
Office goes by the official U.S. Postal mark when processing payments.
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I thought my mortgage company
paid my taxes?
Original tax statements are sent to the titleholder of record.
If your mortgage company is responsible for paying your property
taxes, they will request a statement. You may retain the tax statement
mailed to you for your records.
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Can I make a partial
payment of my tax due?
Yes, partial payments are accepted for current or delinquent
real estate and mobile home property tax. If you are paying delinquent
mobile home or real estate property tax, the amount of the partial
payment must be greater than the late interest and cost due. Partial
payments are not accepted for special assessments or tax sale
redemption payments. Please indicate on your payment that it is
a partial payment of tax due. We will apply your payment and give/send
you a receipt and a balance due statement. For more information
concerning partial payments, please call (641)421-3030.
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What happens if my taxes
are not paid by the due date?
On the first of each month, late interest at the rate of 1.5%
(rounded to the nearest dollar, with a $1.00 minimum) will be
added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes. If your taxes
remain unpaid, they could be subject to tax sale. If sold at tax
sale and if the tax lien is not redeemed within the time specified
by Iowa law, the purchaser may initiate foreclosure proceedings.
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What are my payment
options when paying my property taxes?
Payment can be made by cash, Discover Credit Card, check, money
order, ECheck
or Credit Card through www.iowatreasurers.org.
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Where do I make my payment?
- You can mail payment to:
- Cerro Gordo County Treasurer
- 220 N Washington
- Mason City, IA 50401
- or
- You can pay by eCheck or Credit Card through
www.iowatreasurers.org.
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What should I do if I receive
a tax statement on a home I recently sold?
- Forward the tax statement to the new owners
- or return the tax statement to us in the original
envelope. Please note on the envelope, "Sold, Please
send to New Owner"
- or notify the Treasurer's Office of the sale by
calling (641)421-3030.
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I just purchased this property
and I am now being told that I am responsible for the full years
taxes, how can this be?
In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and
the buyer is given credit for the seller's portion. You should
look at your settlement statement provided to you in closing to
confirm this.
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How do
I add or change a mailing address for my tax statement?
Complete the Request
to Change Mailing Address for Real Estate Tax Bill form (pdf),
and return to:
- Cerro Gordo County Auditor
- 220 N Washington
- Mason City, IA 50401
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Where can I get the latest
information about my property?
Call (641)421-3030 for information concerning property taxes.
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My property taxes are paid
and I want to know who paid them.
Please send a letter to the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer, 220
N Washington, Mason City, IA 50401. Indicate the property owner,
address, district/parcel number and which payment due date you
would like researched. We will notify you once our research is
complete.
Please note research requests may take up to 4 weeks to process.
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Why were special
assessment statements mailed to me?
The special assessment statement will inform you of the type
of special assessment you are being billed for. Examples of special
assessments are paving, sidewalk repairs and delinquent water
bills. Special assessments generally are due once a year with
the first half property tax installment. If you have additional
questions, please contact our office at (641)421-3030.
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I am going to
be moving my mobile home to another location, do I need a tax
clearance form?
Yes, a mobile home tax clearance form is required when moving
your mobile home to another location. Please contact our office
at (641)421-3127 for more information.
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What should I do if I have
a tax sale on my property?
Please contact this office at (641)421-3127 to determine what
your rights concerning redemption are and the amount necessary
to redeem the tax sale.
Under Iowa law you may make a full redemption by making payment
to the County Treasurer of the amount for which the parcel was
sold and interest of 2 percent per month. Additional amounts may
accrue. The tax sale certificate holder, beginning fourteen days
following the date from which a subsequent installment becomes
delinquent, may pay taxes for subsequent years.
You must have an interest in the parcel sufficient to give you
the right to redeem the tax sale. A sufficient interest means
that you must be one of the following:
- The titleholder of record.
- The person in whose name the parcel was/is taxed.
- A person in possession of the parcel.
- A mortgagee with a lien on the parcel.
- A vendor of the parcel under a recorded contract of sale.
- A lessor with a recorded lease or memorandum of recorded
lease.
- Any other person with an interest of record (examples: judgment
creditor of record, vendee under recorded real estate contract,
holder of an inherited or devised recorded interest, tax sale
certificate holder).
- A person who acquired an interest in or possession of the
parcel subsequent to the filing of the notice of expiration
of the right of redemption (this category is applicable only
to tax sales occurring on or after April 24, 1995).
An "Application
And Affidavit for Redemption of Parcel Sold for Taxes (pdf)"
form may be required. Contact our office for further details.
Have you been personally served or
received a Notice to Redeem From Tax Sale stating that you have
ninety days to redeem the parcel from tax sale? Please
contact our office at (641)421-3127 to obtain the amount to redeem
your property from tax sale. If redemption is not completed within
the period provided by law, the right to redeem expires and a
tax sale deed may be issued to the purchaser of the tax sale.
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Is there any type of credit
or help available for elderly, disabled or low-income property
owners?
To find out if you qualify for the
Iowa Property Tax Credit
and to obtain an application please contact our office at (641)421-3030.
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-
220 North Washington Avenue
-
Mason City, IA 50401
-
Phone: Property Tax (641)421-3127
-
Phone: Motor Vehicle (641)421-3126
-
Fax:(641)421-3089
