Frequently Asked Questions

Treasurer

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Motor Vehicles

Does the Treasurer process Driver's Licenses?

No. The Treasurer does not process Driver's Licenses in Cerro Gordo County. Please visit the Iowa DOT website.

Can I renew someone else's vehicle registration?

Yes, but the registration will be mailed to the owner of the record unless you bring in the renewal notice, an old registration or have the owner call and give permission.

Can I store my vehicle if I won't be driving it for a period of time?

Yes. You can return your currently registered vehicle plates and have it coded as "Stored" status and pay no further registration or penalty fees until you are ready to resume driving it.

A full year's registration fee will be charged when taking the vehicle out of storage, so it is only beneficial if the vehicle remains stored for over a year.

How can I get a handicap parking permit or plates with no charge?

There is no charge for a parking permit or plates. It does require a letter from your physician indicating a temporary or permanent disability.

I have lost the registration and/or sticker to put on my license plate. How much is a new one?

There is a $3 charge for a lost registration and sticker.

I have moved in from another state. What do I need to do in order to register and title my vehicle in Iowa?

You will need to bring in the following items:

Certificate of Title (if available).If your out of state title is unavailable due to lienholder retention—you will need to bring in your most current registration document for the vehicle.
Iowa DL/ID or previous state DL/ID and Social Security #
Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all owners.
Damage Disclosure Statement (IA DOT form 411108), only if vehicle is 7 years old or newer.
Odometer reading only if vehicle is 9 years old or newer.Any vehicle over 9 years old is exempt from odometer disclosure.

If the vehicle is a lease, you can contact our office for further information and help determining the documents you will need to transfer and register the vehicle in Iowa.

I have sold my vehicle, where do I apply for the refund?

If a vehicle is sold or junked, you may be eligible for a refund of registration fees. A refund may be applied for at the county treasurer’s office in any county by presenting plates and a current registration. Refunds will be mailed from the State of Iowa and will take approximately 4-6 weeks.

If a vehicle is traded in for a different vehicle, we can apply the credit towards the newly acquired vehicle.

If my spouse passes away, do I have to remove their name from the certificate of title? What information do do I need to bring in to remove a deceased spouse/owner?

Yes, you DO need to remove their name from the certificate title. This can be done at no charge. Required documentation can vary, for more information please contact our office at 641-421-3127.

What forms do I need to transfer a title for a vehicle I bought from a dealer?

You will need to bring the following items:

Certificate of Title with the appropriate signatures and printed names of the seller(s) and buyer(s).
Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all buyers.
Damage Disclosure Statement (IA DOT form 411108), only if vehicle is 7 years old or newer.
Odometer reading only if vehicle is a 2011 or newer. Vehicles years 2010 and older are exempt.
Bill of Sale from the dealer.

What forms do I need to transfer a title for a vehicle I bought from a private individual?

You will need to bring the following items:

Certificate of Title with the appropriate signatures and printed names of the seller(s) and buyer(s).
Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (IA DOT form #411007), completed and signed by all buyers.
Damage Disclosure Statement (IA DOT form 411108), only if vehicle is 7 years old or newer.
Odometer reading only if vehicle is a 2011 or newer. Any vehicle which is 2010 or older is exempt from odometer disclosure.
Bill of Sale is required as of 1/1/2020. Must be signed by the seller.

When does a trailer have a title and when does it only have a registration?

Trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or less cannot be titled but will have a registration. The current registration, signed at the bottom by the buyer and seller, will be used to transfer ownership.

Trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or more will be titled, and transferred similarly to a motor vehicle.

Where do I get the required forms needed to complete a title transfer?

Forms are available in our office, in the common forms and applications section of our website or https://iowadot.seamlessdocs.com/sc/vehicles

Passports

What is required to apply for a U.S. Passport?

Application
- Form DS-11 - New Application
- Form DS-82 - Renewal Application

One of each of the following citizenship and identification items are necessary to apply for a passport:

Citizenship Evidence:
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. Passport (may be expired)
- Certified U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
  - issued by the city, county or state of birth
  - lists your full name, date of birth and place of birth
  - Lists your parent(s)' full names
  - Has the date filed with the registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  - Has the registrar's signature
  - Has the seal of the issuing authority
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
Identification Document:
- Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
- Fully-valid U.S. driver's license
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- Government employee ID (city, county, state or federal)
- U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
- Valid foreign passport
- Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular Identification, commonly used by the parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant)

Please note: If you present an out-of-state ID, you must present an additional ID.

What are my passport costs and payment options?

Passport Book

Applicants 16 years of age and older: $130
Applicants under 16 years of age: $100

Passport Card

Applicants 16 years of age and older: $30
Applicants under 16 years of age: $15

Payment options

A check or money order/cashier’s check is required for the fees that we send, with completed applications, to U.S. Department of State.
Fees retained by our office can be in the form of cash, check, debit, or credit card.

Where can I get a passport photo taken?

Our office processes photographs for $10 or you can bring a photo, but it must meet the passport agency specifications.

We also recommend wearing dark colored clothing that is also non-camouflage types of clothing.

Do I need an appointment to apply for a passport?

No.

Can I apply for my passport online?

No. You are only able to pre-fill and print your application forms, but you cannot apply for a passport online.

All passport applications must be submitted through a certified passport acceptance facility.

How long is a passport valid?

Passports obtained at 16 years of age and older:10 years

Passports obtained under 16 years of age: 5 years

Where can I get additional travel information?

Visit the U.S. Department of State Website.

Property Tax

When are property taxes due?

Because we run on a fiscal year and not a calendar year:

First half taxes are September 1st, delinquent October 1
Second half taxes are due March 1st, delinquent April 1

If a customer wants to pay the full year taxes at one time, they will typically pay the whole year in September.

How can we pay taxes?

You may pay by any of the following convenient ways:

Through the mail. Postmark must be by September 30 for the first half payment and March 31 for the second half payment to avoid penalty.
In our office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online through the Iowa Treasurer's website. You must have the 5-digit receipt number located on your tax statement available.

When do I receive my property tax billing/statement?

Taxes are billed every fall and statements typically go out in the mail in mid-late August.

Where can I find my receipt number to pay taxes online?

Your receipt number is printed on your statement.

Where do I find out what I paid for taxes last year?

Your payment history can be found on your annual statements and also online through the Iowa Treasurers website. You may need to contact our office at at 641-421-3127 for assistance.

Where do I file for homestead credit?

Almost all credits are applied for through the Assessor's Office. To apply for a homestead credit, please contact the City Assessor for all properties located within the Mason City limits. For all other properties contact the County Assessor.

The only credit handled by the Treasurer’s Office is the Disabled/Senior Credit. Please visit the Property Tax Credits page for more information.

What is the penalty if property taxes are paid late?

A 1.5% penalty is assessed per month after the due date.

What and when is a tax sale?

The tax sale is the sale of any unpaid property taxes within the county as of the first part of June. The tax sale is held electronically on the third Monday in June.

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