AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE

(State of Iowa)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for use in all Iowa state-court civil matters. It tracks Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure governing personal and substitute service, as well as the 90-day service window. Practitioners should tailor the check-boxes, addenda, and attachments to the specific facts of service.]

I. CAPTION / DOCUMENT HEADER

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME(S)], )
Plaintiff(s), )
) Case No. [CASE NUMBER]
v. )
) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
[DEFENDANT NAME(S)], )
Defendant(s). )
Date of Filing: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Court Type: [e.g., Law - Civil]
Governing Procedural Law: Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure

II. RECITALS

1. I, [AFFIANT FULL LEGAL NAME], being of lawful age and duly sworn, make this Affidavit of Service (“Affidavit”) in the above-captioned action (the “Action”).
2. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated herein and am competent to testify to the same.

III. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Affidavit, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

A. “Action” – The civil lawsuit identified in the caption above.
B. “Original Notice” – Any original notice, petition, motion, pleading, subpoena, or other document required to be formally served under the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure.
C. “Service Documents” – Collectively, the Original Notice and all accompanying papers delivered in this service event.
D. “Authorized Manner” – Any method of service authorized by the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, including personal service, substitute service, acceptance of service, or service by certified mail.
E. “Substitute Service” – Service effected by leaving a copy of the Service Documents at the defendant’s dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein, or as otherwise ordered by the court.

IV. OPERATIVE STATEMENTS OF SERVICE

1. Affiant’s Qualifications
   a. Age: _ (must be at least 18).
   b. Relationship to Action: ☐ Licensed private process server ☐ Sheriff’s deputy ☐ Other: __.
   c. Not a party to, nor interested in, the outcome of the Action.

2. Date, Time, and Location of Service
   a. Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
   b. Time: [HH:MM a.m./p.m.]
   c. Physical Address: [STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP]

3. Method of Service (check all that apply)
   ☐ Personal Service – Delivered directly to [NAME OF PERSON SERVED], being the named defendant or an authorized agent.
   ☐ Substitute Service – After diligent effort, personal service was impracticable; therefore, I left the Service Documents with:
   • Name: [NAME]
   • Relationship to Defendant: [e.g., spouse, co-resident]
   • Age (approx.):
   ☐ Certified Mail – Mailed via certified mail, return-receipt requested (USPS Tracking No. _), and attached signed receipt is marked as Exhibit “A.”
   ☐ Acceptance of Service – The defendant executed a written Acknowledgment/Acceptance of Service attached as Exhibit “B.”
   ☐ Court-Ordered Alternative Service – Pursuant to the Order dated [MM/DD/YYYY], Dkt. No. , I effected service as follows: _.

4. Compliance With Timing Requirements
   Service was completed within 90 days of filing the Original Notice, or within any extension granted by the court. (Filed: [FILING DATE]; 90-day deadline: [DATE]).

5. Fees and Mileage (optional)
   Service Fee: $_ Mileage: miles × $0. = $.
   [// GUIDANCE: Itemized fees assist in post-judgment cost recovery.]

6. Attached Proof
   Copies of all proofs of delivery, return receipts, photographs, GPS logs, or contemporaneous notes are appended as collective Exhibit “C.”

V. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES OF AFFIANT

1. I am competent under Iowa law to effect service.
2. All statements herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
3. I understand that willful false statements made in this Affidavit are subject to penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Iowa.

VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Governing Law & Venue. This Affidavit shall be interpreted under the substantive and procedural law of the State of Iowa, and any issues arising herefrom shall be heard exclusively in the Iowa District Court presiding over the Action.
2. Integration. This writing embodies the entire return of service for the Service Documents referenced herein and supersedes any prior oral or written statements by Affiant regarding the same.
3. Counterparts. When service is effected on multiple defendants, separate counterpart affidavits may be executed for each defendant and collectively filed.

VII. EXECUTION & NOTARIZATION

[// GUIDANCE: Iowa recognizes both in-person and remote online notarization. Confirm the chosen notary’s commissioning status and use an Iowa-compliant notarial certificate.]

______ _____
[AFFIANT PRINTED NAME] Date

State of Iowa )
) ss
County of __ )

This instrument was acknowledged before me on [DATE] by [AFFIANT NAME], who ☐ is personally known to me ☐ produced the following identification: _______.

Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
Commission No.: _
My Commission Expires: _

VIII. OPTIONAL EXHIBIT INDEX

1. Exhibit “A” – USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt
2. Exhibit “B” – Acknowledgment/Acceptance of Service
3. Exhibit “C” – Affiant’s Contemporaneous Service Records (photos, GPS logs, notes)

[// GUIDANCE: File exhibits with the clerk only if required by local rule or court order; otherwise maintain in the litigation file to streamline record management.]

End of Document