Iowa New Resident Guide

NEW RESIDENT GUIDE FOR STATE OF IOWA

U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.

http://www.uslegalforms.com

Becoming a new resident of a new home state often involves the reorganization of your legal affairs. This form is a guide to help you in meeting various requirements, such as residency, voting, identification card, driver's license and vehicle registration requirements.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS-

You are considered an Iowa resident for the purposes of driver's licensing and vehicle registration when you have done at least one of the following:

• Filed for a homestead tax exemption on property in Iowa.
• As a veteran, you have filed for a military tax exemption on property in Iowa.
• Registered to vote in Iowa.
• Enrolled children to be educated in a public elementary or secondary school in Iowa.
• Qualified for and are receiving public assistance from Iowa.
• Accepted employment or engaged in any trade, profession, or occupation within Iowa.
• Resided or continuously remained in Iowa for a period exceeding 30 days except for infrequent or brief absences.

You will not be considered a resident if you are attending a college or university in Iowa but have a domicile in another state and a valid driver's license issued by your state of domicile. You will also not be considered a resident if you are a member of the armed forces that is stationed in Iowa and your vehicles are properly registered in your state of residency.

VOTING REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS-

In order to register to vote in the state of Iowa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the U.S.
• You must be a resident of Iowa.
• You must be at least 18 years old on or before election day. If you are 17½ years old, you may register to vote, but your registration will not be effective until your 18th birthday.
• You must not have been convicted of a felony or you must have had your rights restored.
• You must not currently be judged by a court to be “incompetent” to vote.
• You must give up your right to vote in any other place.
• You must apply to register to vote. You may apply at your nearest driver's license station, Office of the County Auditor, public assistance agency, state offices serving people with disabilities or with some city clerks and school board secretaries. You may also obtain a voter registration form from public libraries, political party offices or the Office of the Iowa Secretary of State in person or online at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterreg/reg_to_vote.html and mail it to your county auditor.
• You must register to vote ten days before a statewide primary or general election and 11 days for all other elections. A registration form postmarked at least 15 days before an election will be accepted for that election even if it is received after the deadline to register to vote.

NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIREMENTS-

If you are age 18 or older, you must show proof of your age and identity by presenting one item from the following primary list of documents in order to apply for a non-driver identification card in Iowa:

• Photo driver's license or a certified copy of a license that is valid or has not been expired more than one year.
• Photo ID card or certified copy of the card issued from the same state agency that issues driver's licenses and has not been expired more than one year, some states excepted.
• Original or certified copy of a U.S. or Canadian birth certificate that has a raised seal and is government-issued. A hospital birth certificate is not acceptable.
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) document.
• Court order containing your full name, date of birth and court seal. This does not include an abstract.
• Military ID card, not including a dependent ID card.
• Valid U.S. or Canadian passport or foreign passport with the appropriate INS document.
• ID card issued by the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs; and

One item from the following secondary list of documents:

• Any primary document.
• Bureau of Indian Affairs card.
• Photo driver's license or photo ID card expired one year or more.
• Court order that does not contain your date of birth but does have your full name.
• Foreign birth certificate translated by an approved translator.
• Military discharge or separation papers (DD214).
• Military dependent ID card.
• Employer ID card.
• Health insurance card.
• IRS or state tax document completed by the governmental agency. A W-2, 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and related forms completed by the taxpayer are not acceptable.
• Marriage license or certificate.
• Medical records from doctor or hospital, original or authenticated.
• Gun permit.
• Pilot's license.
• Certified school record or transcript.
• Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration.
• Canadian Social Insurance card.
• Photo student ID card.
• Vehicle certificate of title. Vehicle registration is not acceptable.
• Voter registration card.
• Welfare card.
• Prison release document.
• Certified or notarized affidavit identifying a minor child that is personally provided by the child's parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must provide acceptable proof of his/her identity.

If you are under 18 years old and not married, you must furnish a primary form of ID, a secondary form of ID, a parent's consent form, and proof of a Social Security number. The Social Security card may be used for secondary ID and proof of a Social Security number.

If you are under 18 years old and married, you can prove your age and identity by showing a primary form of ID, a marriage license or certificate, and a Social Security card.

You may show verification of your Social Security number by presenting one of the following documents:

• Social Security card.
• Previous Iowa license or ID if the Social Security number was used.
• IRS or state tax document completed by the governmental agency. A W-2, 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and related forms completed by the taxpayer are not acceptable.
• Financial statement containing the Social Security number.
• Payroll stub containing the Social Security number.
• Military ID card containing the Social Security number.

DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS-

If you have a valid out-of-state license, you must meet the following requirements to obtain your Iowa license:

• You must turn in your out-of-state license to the Department of Transportation.
• If you do not have your out-of-state driver's license, you must bring a certified birth certificate and your social security card. You may be required to provide a state-issued clearance letter.
• You must take the required tests. Knowledge and driving tests may be waived if you surrender a valid out-of-state license (excluding instruction permits) and you have no mental or physical disability that may affect your driving.
• You must show proof of residency by presenting one of the following items:
  • Iowa voter registration card.
  • Iowa vehicle registration certificate.
  • Utility bill showing 30 days of residency.
  • Statement from an Iowa financial institution showing 30 days of residency.
  • Rental or lease agreement showing 30 days of residency.
  • Pay check or pay stub from an Iowa employer.
  • Children's school enrollment papers.
  • Documentation showing a filing for homestead or military tax exemption on property in Iowa. Other items reviewed by licensing personnel.
• You must show verification of your Social Security number by presenting one of the acceptable documents listed above.
• You must show proof of your age and identity. If you are age 18 or older, you must provide one item from the above primary list of documents and one item from the above secondary list of documents.

If you are under 18 years old and not married, you must furnish a primary form of ID (listed above), a secondary form of ID (listed above), a parent's consent form, and proof of a Social Security number. The Social Security card may be used for secondary ID and proof of a Social Security number. The consent form proves permission from your parent or guardian to drive.

If you are under 18 years old and married, you can prove your age and identity by showing a primary form of ID, a marriage license or certificate, and a Social Security card. Driver license personnel will determine if documents provided from this list are acceptable.

VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS-

You must register your motor vehicle with the county treasurer's office in your county within 30 days from the date you establish Iowa residency. Iowa registration is required even though your license plates may still be valid in another state.

In order to register your motor vehicle in Iowa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must surrender the following documents to the county treasurer's office:
  • Your current ownership document (certificate of title).
  • A completed application for an Iowa certificate of title and/or registration. The application must be signed by all owners. If there is a lien against the vehicle, it should be noted on the application. You may obtain such forms online at http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ovs/register.htm.
• If your vehicle cannot be titled or registered by your county treasurer because you do not have the proper title documents, you may be able to file a bond as a condition of obtaining a title and registration plates.

Please see the Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Driver Services website at http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/index.htm#Drivers%20License and the Iowa Secretary of State website at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterreg/reg_to_vote.html for further new resident and contact information.

Website source: May 2, 2006.