Petition Cover Sheet — Iowa District Court (Rule 1.301(2))

IOWA PETITION COVER SHEET

District Court — Civil Law, Domestic Relations, and Other Equity Cases

Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.301(2)

Court System: Iowa District Court (Unified State Court System)
Governing Rule: Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.301(2)
E-Filing System: Iowa Judicial Branch EDMS (https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/)

Important: This template is a comprehensive intake worksheet mirroring the official Iowa Petition Cover Sheet required under Rule 1.301(2). The completed information must be entered into the electronic cover sheet through the Iowa EDMS e-filing system. Small claims, probate, and mental health commitment cases are explicitly excluded from the cover sheet requirement. Paper filing of the cover sheet is only required for parties excused from electronic filing registration.

SECTION 1: COURT AND CAPTION

1.1 Judicial District and County

Iowa has 8 judicial districts encompassing all 99 counties. Select the applicable judicial district and county:

Judicial District:
☐ 1st Judicial District — Dubuque, Black Hawk, and surrounding counties (Northeast Iowa)
☐ 2nd Judicial District — Cerro Gordo, Webster, and surrounding counties (North Central Iowa)
☐ 3rd Judicial District — Woodbury, Plymouth, and surrounding counties (Northwest Iowa)
☐ 4th Judicial District — Pottawattamie, Harrison, and surrounding counties (Southwest Iowa)
☐ 5th Judicial District — Polk, Warren, Dallas, and surrounding counties (Des Moines metro)
☐ 6th Judicial District — Linn, Johnson, and surrounding counties (Cedar Rapids / Iowa City)
☐ 7th Judicial District — Scott, Clinton, Muscatine, and surrounding counties (Eastern Iowa)
☐ 8th Judicial District — Wapello, Lee, and surrounding counties (Southeast Iowa)

County of Filing: [________________________________]

1.2 Case Caption

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [________________________________] COUNTY

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s),

v.                                              Case No.: [________________]
                                                (Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s) / Respondent(s).

SECTION 2: PARTY INFORMATION

2.1 Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

Plaintiff / Petitioner 1:

Plaintiff / Petitioner 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional plaintiffs/petitioners — See attached continuation sheet

2.2 Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

Defendant / Respondent 1:

Defendant / Respondent 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional defendants/respondents — See attached continuation sheet

2.3 Interpreter / Accommodation Needs

☐ Interpreter needed — Language: [________________________________]
☐ ADA accommodation needed — Describe: [________________________________]
☐ Hearing impaired — Assistive services needed

SECTION 3: ATTORNEY OR SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY

3.1 Attorney Information

3.2 Self-Represented Party

☐ This party is self-represented (pro se)

SECTION 4: CASE TYPE CLASSIFICATION

Instructions: Select the primary case type code for this action. Iowa uses specific classification codes in the EDMS e-filing system for case tracking and assignment.

4.1 Civil Law Cases

☐ LA — Civil Law (General) — Contract, Business, Commercial disputes
☐ CV — Civil (General Civil Action not otherwise classified)
☐ EQ — Civil Equity — Injunction, Declaratory Judgment, Specific Performance, Quiet Title, Partition, Accounting
☐ LF — Foreign Judgment Registration

Subcategory (if LA or CV):
☐ Contract / Breach of Contract
☐ Debt Collection / Account
☐ Business / Commercial Dispute
☐ Employment Dispute
☐ Insurance Coverage Dispute
☐ Consumer Protection / Fraud
☐ UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

4.2 Tort Cases

☐ LA — Civil Law (Tort subcategory)

Subcategory:
☐ Personal Injury — Motor Vehicle
☐ Personal Injury — Slip and Fall / Premises Liability
☐ Personal Injury — Other
☐ Medical Malpractice
☐ Legal Malpractice
☐ Other Professional Malpractice
☐ Product Liability
☐ Wrongful Death
☐ Property Damage
☐ Defamation (Libel / Slander)
☐ Other Tort: [________________________________]

4.3 Real Property Cases

☐ EQ — Equity / Real Property

Subcategory:
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure
☐ Quiet Title
☐ Landlord / Tenant (Forcible Entry and Detainer)
☐ Partition
☐ Easement / Boundary Dispute
☐ Mechanic's Lien Foreclosure
☐ Real Property Tax Dispute
☐ Condemnation / Eminent Domain
☐ Other Real Property: [________________________________]

4.4 Domestic Relations (if applicable on this form)

☐ DM — Dissolution of Marriage
☐ DR — Civil Domestic Relations (custody, support, paternity)
☐ CD — Civil Dissolution of Marriage
☐ DACV — Civil Domestic Abuse

4.5 Administrative / Appeals

☐ AP — Small Claims Appeal
☐ CV — Administrative Appeal / Judicial Review (Iowa Code Chapter 17A)
☐ PC — Post-Conviction Relief

4.6 Other Case Types

☐ CN — Name Change
☐ CI — Civil Infraction
☐ MI — Miscellaneous Civil (not otherwise classified)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Selected Case Type Code: [________]
Description: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: PROCEEDING ORIGIN

Select one:

☐ Original Proceeding — New action filed in this court
☐ Transferred from another county — Transferred from: [________________________________] County
☐ Removed from federal court — Federal case no.: [________________________________]
☐ Remanded from appellate court — Appellate case no.: [________________________________]
☐ Reinstated / Reopened — Prior case no.: [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 6: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

6.1 Monetary Relief

Total monetary damages claimed (exclusive of interest, fees, and costs):

☐ Under $6,500 (small claims jurisdiction — consider filing in small claims)
☐ $6,500 — $9,999
☐ $10,000 — $49,999
☐ $50,000 — $74,999
☐ $75,000 — $99,999
☐ $100,000 — $249,999
☐ $250,000 — $499,999
☐ $500,000 or more
☐ Amount unspecified / to be determined at trial

Specific amount (if known): $ [________________________________]

6.2 Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

☐ Injunctive relief (temporary / preliminary / permanent injunction)
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Specific performance
☐ Quiet title
☐ Foreclosure
☐ Partition of real property
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

SECTION 7: JURY DEMAND

Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.902 governs the right to jury trial.

☐ Jury trial demanded

• Jury demand must be made in writing and filed with the clerk (Rule 1.902(1))
• Jury demand may be made in the petition, answer, or separate document
• Jury fee: $100.00 (Iowa Code Section 625.8(1))

☐ Non-jury (bench trial / equity)

Note: Equity cases are generally tried to the court without a jury. Failure to make a timely demand in law actions constitutes waiver. Under Rule 1.902(4), a party may demand a jury trial as late as 10 days before trial.

SECTION 8: RELATED CASES

8.1 Related Case Disclosure

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Iowa court?

☐ No related cases
☐ Yes — Provide details below:

8.2 Prior Mediation / Arbitration

☐ None
☐ Prior mediation — Date(s): [________________________________]
☐ Prior arbitration — Reference No.: [________________________________]

SECTION 9: FILING FEES

9.1 Current Filing Fee Schedule (Iowa Code Section 602.8105)

Civil Filing Fees:

Additional Fees:

Note: Counties exceeding 98,000 population may charge an additional $5.00 publication fee. Fees are set by the Iowa Legislature and deposited in the State of Iowa general fund. Verify current fees with the clerk of court.

9.2 Payment Information

Filing fee amount: $ [________________________________]
Payment method: ☐ E-filing (credit/debit card) ☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Cash (in person only)
☐ Fee waiver / in forma pauperis application filed (Iowa Code Section 610.18)

SECTION 10: SERVICE OF PROCESS

10.1 Service Methods (Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.302 — 1.315)

Defendant / Respondent 1: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff (Rule 1.302)
☐ Personal service by a private process server (Rule 1.302(6))
☐ Service by certified mail (Rule 1.306 — restricted to original notice)
☐ Service by publication (when other methods unavailable — Rule 1.310)
☐ Voluntary appearance / waiver of service
☐ Service on Iowa Secretary of State as agent (corporate defendant — Iowa Code Section 490.504)

Defendant / Respondent 2: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff
☐ Personal service by a private process server
☐ Service by certified mail
☐ Service by publication
☐ Voluntary appearance / waiver of service
☐ Service on Iowa Secretary of State as agent

10.2 Service Addresses

10.3 Registered Agent Service (Corporate / LLC Defendants)

Note: Search the Iowa Secretary of State — Fast Track Filing (https://sos.iowa.gov/search/business/search.aspx) for current registered agent information.

10.4 Original Notice Requirements

Under Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.302, the original notice must:

• State the name of the court and county
• State the names of all parties
• State that a petition has been filed
• Specify the relief demanded
• Inform the defendant of the deadline to serve a motion or answer (20 days after service)
• Be accompanied by a copy of the petition

SECTION 11: E-FILING — IOWA EDMS

11.1 Iowa Electronic Document Management System (EDMS)

Iowa uses the EDMS system for mandatory electronic filing.

• E-Filing Portal: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/
• Mandatory for Attorneys: Yes — All attorneys must e-file (Iowa R. Elec. P. 16.201)
• Self-Represented Litigants: Excused from mandatory e-filing; may file on paper
• Registration: Attorneys must register through the Iowa Judicial Branch
• Accepted Formats: PDF (required)
• Filing Time: Documents filed by 11:59 PM CST are deemed filed that day

11.2 EDMS Filing Steps

1. Log in to Iowa EDMS at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/
2. Select "File a New Case" or "File into Existing Case"
3. Select County and Case Type from drop-down menus
4. Complete the electronic petition cover sheet (required fields)
5. Upload the petition and all supporting documents as PDF
6. Enter payment information for filing fees
7. Submit filing — receipt confirmation generated
8. Original notice will be generated for service

11.3 Iowa Court Information Network (ICIS)

• Public case search: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexSearchAction
• Case information, scheduling, and party data

SECTION 12: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Under Iowa Court Rules, certain personal information must be kept confidential:

☐ Social Security numbers — Do NOT include in filings (redact or omit)
☐ Financial account numbers — Use last four digits only
☐ Dates of birth for minors — Use year of birth only
☐ Names of minors — Use initials only in certain case types
☐ Other protected information: [________________________________]

Note: If confidential information is necessary for the case, file a Confidential Information Sheet separately.

SECTION 13: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided on this petition cover sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I certify that this action is properly venued in this county under Iowa law. I have read and understand my obligations under Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.413 regarding certification of pleadings and motions.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________________________
Signature

_________________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Iowa Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Representing: ☐ Plaintiff/Petitioner  ☐ Defendant/Respondent  ☐ Self (Pro Se)

Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
         [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

SECTION 14: FILING CHECKLIST

Before filing, confirm the following documents are prepared:

☐ Petition (original, signed — Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.401)
☐ Petition Cover Sheet (electronic or paper — Rule 1.301(2))
☐ Original Notice (Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.302)
☐ Filing fee payment or fee waiver application
☐ Copies for service on each defendant/respondent
☐ Lis pendens (if real property action — Iowa Code Section 617.11)
☐ Jury demand (if requesting jury trial — Rule 1.902)
☐ Confidential information sheet (if applicable)
☐ Corporate disclosure statement (if applicable)
☐ Emergency motion / TRO (if expedited relief sought)
☐ Certificate of merit / expert affidavit (if medical malpractice — Iowa Code Section 147.140)

SECTION 15: PRACTITIONER NOTES

15.1 Venue Rules (Iowa Code Chapter 616)

• General venue: County where defendant resides (Iowa Code Section 616.1)
• Transitory actions: County where cause of action arose (Section 616.3)
• Real property: County where the land is situated (Section 616.4)
• Corporate defendants: County where principal place of business is located, or where cause of action arose (Section 616.5)
• Government tort claims: County where the act or omission occurred (Section 616.16)
• Transfer of venue: Available upon motion showing improper venue or for convenience (Section 616.12)

15.2 Statute of Limitations Reminders

15.3 Iowa-Specific Procedural Notes

1. Medical Malpractice Certificate of Merit: Under Iowa Code Section 147.140, a certificate of merit affidavit from a qualified expert must be filed within 60 days of filing a medical malpractice action.

2. Comparative Fault: Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system (Iowa Code Section 668.3). A plaintiff's recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff is barred from recovery if found to be more than 50% at fault.

3. Mandatory Electronic Filing: Attorneys must e-file all documents through Iowa EDMS per the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure (Chapter 16). Self-represented litigants may request an exemption.

4. Iowa Tort Claims Act: Claims against the State of Iowa must follow the procedures in Iowa Code Chapter 669, including a 2-year notice requirement.

5. Pre-Suit Mediation: Some counties encourage or require pre-suit mediation for certain case types. Check local rules for the applicable judicial district.

6. Damages Cap: Iowa Code Section 668A.1 caps noneconomic damages in personal injury cases at $250,000 unless certain exceptions apply (permanent loss of bodily function, substantial disfigurement, death).

15.4 Judicial District Contact Information

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Iowa Judicial Branch — Court Forms: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms
• Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.301(2) — Petition Cover Sheet Requirement: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/1.pdf
• Iowa Code Section 602.8105 — Civil Filing Fees: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/602.8105.pdf
• Iowa EDMS E-Filing Portal: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/
• Iowa Civil Court Fees: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees
• Iowa Secretary of State — Business Search: https://sos.iowa.gov/search/business/search.aspx
• Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure (Chapter 16): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/16.pdf