Iowa Family Court Forms and Filing Resources
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Iowa publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Iowa sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.
Iowa's core family statutes live in the Iowa Code Chapter 598 - Dissolution of Marriage. Parents without lawyers in divorce cases involving children must use the official court form packets.
How the Iowa court system handles family cases
Family cases in Iowa are heard in the District Court. Iowa's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.
Iowa's 99 counties are grouped into 8 judicial districts.
Appeals from a family case generally go first to the Iowa Court of Appeals, and the state's highest court is the Iowa Supreme Court.
Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.
Official Iowa resources
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Iowa state courts website (Iowa judicial branch): The official home of the Iowa court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.iowacourts.gov
Iowa family law forms (Iowa judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Iowa cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms
Iowa self-help resources (Iowa courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Iowa family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself
Iowa eFile (EDMS) (Iowa Judicial Branch): Iowa requires nearly everyone, including people without lawyers, to file through the statewide eFile system, and that includes divorce and custody cases. If e-filing is a real hardship you can ask the court in writing to excuse you. https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile/
Iowa court directory by county (Iowa judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/court-directory
Iowa rules of procedure (Iowa judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Iowa. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/courtRules
Iowa mediation and dispute resolution (Iowa judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Iowa family cases. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/alternative-dispute-resolution
Iowa financial affidavit and disclosure forms (iowacourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Iowa family cases ask for. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms/
Iowa child support guideline resources (iowacourts.gov): Official Iowa child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms/child-support-guidelines/
Iowa Courts Online Search (Iowa courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as free and the system is organized statewide. https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/
Frequently used official Iowa forms
These links open official Iowa government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, No Children (Rule 17.100 Form 101), form Form 101 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/79642497235247d0acb5c64fee13ef6f/download
Settlement Agreement for Dissolution, No Children (Rule 17.100 Form 128), form Form 128 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/76f9f24759e241069a0d6fd41a12c101/download
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Children (Form 201), form Form 201 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/c4990c06ee024052a2a3ba46f51d6065/download
Answer to Petition for Dissolution with Children (Form 215), form Form 215 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/c13ef2fcb4d14eb69896337935a4d8f1/download
Financial Affidavit for a Dissolution with Children (Form 224), form Form 224 (Financial Disclosure), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/b5dd2e8a002247cc86e61cfbacc29083/download
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Rule 9.27 Form 2), form Form 2 (Child Support), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/ed6cdfdfdef249c088541f8c3e024e1c/download
Settlement Agreement for a Dissolution with Children (Form 228), form Form 228 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/8df5a2f5074f4b51ba75b84e254fc261/download
Proposed Parenting Plan (Form 230), form Form 230 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/a43cfe5c78cb4a1a9721e0ba26a04b81/download
Filing fees: Dissolution filing fee: ~$265.
E-filing link data for Iowa was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find official Iowa family court forms?
The official statewide source is the Iowa judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.
Can I e-file my own family case in Iowa?
Iowa requires nearly everyone, including people without lawyers, to file through the statewide eFile system, and that includes divorce and custody cases. If e-filing is a real hardship you can ask the court in writing to excuse you. Parents without lawyers in divorce cases involving children must use the official court form packets.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Iowa?
Dissolution filing fee: ~$265. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Which court hears family cases in Iowa?
Family cases in Iowa are heard in the District Court. Iowa's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.