IOWA DISTRICT COURT
GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET
(Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.301 & Iowa E-Filing Rules § 3.1)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for use with all Iowa District Courts. File the completed Cover Sheet as the first document in your electronic case filing envelope. Iowa Code § 602.8105 governs docket fees; confirm current amounts on the Judicial Branch website before filing.]
1. COURT & CASE IDENTIFICATION
1.1 County: [COUNTY]
1.2 Judicial District #: [JUDICIAL DISTRICT]
1.3 Case No.: [To be assigned by Clerk]
1.4 Date of Filing: [MM/DD/YYYY]
2. PARTY & ATTORNEY INFORMATION
| Role | Name | Address | Phone | Bar No. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff 1 | [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [PHONE] | [EMAIL] | [#] |
| Plaintiff 2 | … | … | … | … | … |
| Defendant 1 | [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [PHONE] | [EMAIL] | N/A |
| Defendant 2 | … | … | … | … | … |
| Lead Counsel for Plf. | [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [PHONE] | [EMAIL] | [#] |
| Lead Counsel for Def. | [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [PHONE] | [EMAIL] | [#] |
[// GUIDANCE: Attach an additional sheet if more space is required.]
3. NATURE OF SUIT
Place an “X” in ONE primary category and in all applicable sub-categories.
A. Tort
☐ Personal Injury - Motor Vehicle
☐ Personal Injury - Premises Liability
☐ Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice
☐ Wrongful Death
☐ Defamation
☐ Other Tort: _________
B. Contract
☐ Breach of Written Contract
☐ Breach of Oral Contract
☐ Consumer Credit/Collection
☐ Insurance Coverage
☐ Other Contract: ______
C. Real Property
☐ Foreclosure (Residential)
☐ Foreclosure (Commercial)
☐ Quiet Title / Ejectment
☐ Boundary / Easement Dispute
☐ Mechanic’s Lien Enforcement
☐ Other Real Property: ___
D. Equity / Other Civil
☐ Declaratory Judgment
☐ Injunction / Temporary Restraining Order
☐ Administrative Review (Chapter 17A)
☐ Replevin / Detinue
☐ Habeas Corpus
☐ Other Equity: _____
E. Miscellaneous
☐ Foreign Judgment Domestication
☐ Structured Settlement Approval
☐ Forfeiture
☐ Confession of Judgment
☐ Post-Judgment Relief
☐ Other: ______
4. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY (if money damages sought)
☐ $0 – $5,000
☐ $5,001 – $30,000
☐ $30,001 – $75,000
☐ Over $75,000
Exact amount claimed (if known): $[AMOUNT]
5. RELIEF REQUESTED (check all that apply)
☐ Monetary Judgment
☐ Injunctive Relief
☐ Declaratory Relief
☐ Specific Performance
☐ Other: ______
6. JURY DEMAND
☐ Jury trial demanded in the Petition (Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.902)
☐ No jury demand at this time
[// GUIDANCE: A separate written demand may be filed within 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to such issue.]
7. RELATED PENDING OR CLOSED IOWA CASES
List case numbers and counties of any cases involving substantially the same parties or issues:
[LIST / “None”]
8. ESTIMATED TRIAL LENGTH
☐ 1 day ☐ 2–3 days ☐ 4–7 days ☐ More than 7 days
Specify: [ESTIMATE]
9. FILING FEE CALCULATION
Statutory docket fee paid pursuant to Iowa Code § 602.8105(1): $[FEE]
☐ Motion fee(s) included (if applicable)
Method of payment: ☐ EFT ☐ Check ☐ Other: ______
[// GUIDANCE: Current civil docket fee is $195 as of 2025; verify updates at time of filing.]
10. CERTIFICATION & SIGNATURE
I certify that the information provided on this Civil Case Cover Sheet is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and that this filing complies with Iowa Court Rules concerning personal privacy in court filings.
| Date | Signature | Printed Name | Attorney for / Self-Represented |
|---|---|---|---|
| [MM/DD/YYYY] | _________ | [NAME] | [PLAINTIFF / DEFENDANT] |
FILING INSTRUCTIONS (DO NOT FILE WITH THE COURT)
- Review for completeness; incomplete cover sheets may delay docketing.
- Save as a separate PDF titled “Cover Sheet.”
- Upload as the first document in your e-filing envelope.
- Retain the original executed document in your file for potential audit.
[// GUIDANCE: This template omits contractual provisions (e.g., indemnity, dispute resolution) because a civil cover sheet is a procedural, not substantive, filing. Revise category lists or add county-specific codes if your district maintains its own taxonomy.]