Small claims court in Iowa (2026)
In Iowa you can sue for up to $6,500 in small claims. Court: District Court sitting in small claims. Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 20 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 10 years to sue. Last checked .
Iowa small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $6,500
- Court
- District Court sitting in small claims
- Filing fee
- $115
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 20 days
- Ask for payment first
- Not required by law
Can you sue in Iowa small claims?
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Iowa small claims limit
$6,500
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Civil actions for a money judgment of $6,500 or less, not counting interest and costs (for cases started on or after July 1, 2018). Replevin of property worth $6,500 or less is also covered. A larger counterclaim must be filed as a regular pleading and may move the case to regular procedure.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
10 years for this kind of claim in Iowa. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Written contracts: 10 years (claims for rent: 5 years). Unwritten contracts and injuries to property: 5 years. Injuries to the person: 2 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.
Before you file: Iowa Code chapter 631 and the Judicial Branch small claims page do not require a demand before filing.
Appeal: Any party may appeal by giving oral notice at the end of the hearing or by filing a written notice within 20 days after judgment is rendered, and must pay the district court docket fee within those 20 days. A district judge (or district associate judge) decides the appeal on the record without new evidence, though the judge may order more evidence if the record is inadequate. Further review by the Iowa Supreme Court is discretionary.
Filing fee: Statewide filing fee of $115, raised from $95 by 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2770 (ch. 1192), sec. 26, signed June 2, 2026; the Judicial Branch fee table lists $115. Mailed service postage or personal service fees are extra. A small claims appeal costs $215.
The deadline shown is the general statute of limitations counted from the date you entered. The real deadline can be later (for example when the problem was discovered later or the other side left the state) or earlier (a contract can shorten it, and claims against a government agency often need a written notice first, on a much shorter clock). If you are close to it, file now or ask a legal aid office. This is legal information, not legal advice.
Where to file and how much
- Court. Small claims are heard by the Iowa District Court on its small claims docket, usually by a judicial magistrate. The usual venue statutes and rules apply. Filing is electronic (Iowa eFile) unless the court allows paper.
- Limit. Civil actions for a money judgment of $6,500 or less, not counting interest and costs (for cases started on or after July 1, 2018). Replevin of property worth $6,500 or less is also covered. A larger counterclaim must be filed as a regular pleading and may move the case to regular procedure. (in force since July 1, 2018)
- Filing fee. Statewide filing fee of $115, raised from $95 by 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2770 (ch. 1192), sec. 26, signed June 2, 2026; the Judicial Branch fee table lists $115. Mailed service postage or personal service fees are extra. A small claims appeal costs $215.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, and other entities may bring or defend small claims; a non-individual may be represented by an officer or employee. A person who regularly takes assignments of instruments or accounts may sue on them in its own name without a lawyer. Any party may use a lawyer.
- Before you file. Iowa Code chapter 631 and the Judicial Branch small claims page do not require a demand before filing.
- Jury and moving the case. Small claims hearings are to the court (a judge, not a jury).
How long you have to sue in Iowa
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Written contracts: 10 years (claims for rent: 5 years). Unwritten contracts and injuries to property: 5 years. Injuries to the person: 2 years.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 5 years |
| Damage to property | 5 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
Law: Iowa Code 614.1(5)(a)-(b), 614.1(4), 614.1(2)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- Any party may appeal by giving oral notice at the end of the hearing or by filing a written notice within 20 days after judgment is rendered, and must pay the district court docket fee within those 20 days. A district judge (or district associate judge) decides the appeal on the record without new evidence, though the judge may order more evidence if the record is inadequate. Further review by the Iowa Supreme Court is discretionary.
- Collecting the money
- If the defendant does not pay, file a praecipe ($55 under ch. 626) so the clerk issues an execution to the sheriff, who can seize property or garnish wages for up to 120 days per execution; a debtor's exam is also available.
Good to know in Iowa
- Small claims not decided within 90 days after the last record entry or continuance are dismissed without prejudice (Iowa Code 631.8(1)).
- A default judgment may be set aside for good cause on a motion filed within 60 days (Iowa Judicial Branch, Small Claims).
- Fee note: the published 2026 Code text of 631.6 still reads $95; 2026 Iowa Acts, HF 2770, sec. 26 amended it to $115.
Official help and forms
- Iowa courts: small claims self-help
- Iowa small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- Iowa Code chapter 631 Small Claims (2026) (read October 18, 2026)
- Iowa Code 614.1 Period (read October 18, 2026)
- Iowa Judicial Branch: Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
- Iowa Judicial Branch: Civil Court Fees (read October 18, 2026)
- Iowa Judicial Branch: Collecting a Judgment (read October 18, 2026)
- 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2770 (enrolled, signed June 2, 2026), sec. 26 (read October 18, 2026)
Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.
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