Reminder: Register Your Recreational Vehicles by December 31
Posted October 24, 2025
Posted by Recorder and Public Relations
Pottawattamie County residents have until December 31, 2025, to renew registration for their All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs), Off-Road Motorcycles (ORMs), and snowmobiles.
Vehicle owners should have received a reminder postcard in the mail this fall. To avoid penalties or delays, be sure to complete your renewal before the end of the year. A $5.00 late penalty will apply to renewals submitted after January 1, 2026.
All recreational vehicles in Iowa must be registered through the county Recorder’s Office to operate legally on public land and designated trails. New and transferred vehicles can also be registered year-round.
How to Renew
Renewals can be completed:
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In person: Visit the Recorder’s Office at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse during regular business hours
Snowmobile Registration Update
Beginning July 1, 2024, the resident user permit (trail pass) was combined with snowmobile registrations and renewals. The updated snowmobile registration fee is $33.50, which is slightly less than the previous combined cost of registration and a separate trail pass.
Iowa residents who use their snowmobiles on public land will no longer need to display a separate user permit, only a current registration decal. Nonresidents must still purchase and display a nonresident user permit.
Additional Information
When transferring ownership of an ATV, ORV, or snowmobile, the following are required:
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Bill of sale
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The most current signed registration
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The title
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Manufacturer’s statement of origin (for new vehicles)
Before registration, proof that sales or use tax has been paid must be provided. Sales are subject to 7% tax if purchased in Iowa and 6% use tax if purchased out of state.
For more information, visit the Recorder’s Office webpage.