Small claims court in Iowa

$6,500maximum claim in Small claims (district court), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $6,500^1,2Iowa Code 631.1(1)
Small claims covers money claims of $6,500 or less, not counting interest and costs.
Court: Small claims (district court)^1,3Iowa Code 631.1, 631.13
Small claims are heard in the district court, often by a magistrate or district associate judge.
Filing fee: $115 ($95 filing fee plus $20 mailing)^4,2Iowa Code 631.6(1)(a), (c)
The Iowa courts list a $115 fee to start a case. By law this is a $95 filing and docketing fee plus $20 postage for mailing the notice, and other service methods may cost extra.
Lawyers: Yes, not required²
You may hire a lawyer, but you do not need one.
Appeals: 20 days³Iowa Code 631.13
Either side may appeal within 20 days after judgment, by saying so at the end of the hearing or by filing a written notice with the clerk, and paying the district court docket fee. A district judge, or for some magistrate cases a district associate judge, decides the appeal.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 10 years⁵Iowa Code 614.1(5)(a)
10 years for written contracts, with some exceptions such as rent.
Oral contract: 5 years⁵Iowa Code 614.1(4)
5 years for contracts that are not in writing.
Property damage: 5 years⁵Iowa Code 614.1(4)
5 years for damage to property.
Personal injury: 2 years⁵Iowa Code 614.1(2)
2 years for injuries to the person.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

Iowa Code 631.1, Jurisdiction, Iowa Legislatureofficial
Small Claims, Representing Yourself, Iowa Judicial Branchofficial
Iowa Code 631.13, Appeal, Iowa Legislatureofficial
Iowa Code 631.6, Fees, Iowa Legislatureofficial
Iowa Code 614.1, Period, Iowa Legislatureofficial

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.