Filing for divorce in Iowa without an attorney costs $265 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 1 year in Iowa (or spouse is resident). Iowa is a equitable distribution state with a 90 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 3-4 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Iowa-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $265 (The filing fee is $265 statewide. Iowa has a unified court system with standardized fees.) |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year in Iowa (or spouse is resident) |
| Waiting Period | 90 days |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Breakdown of the marriage (no-fault) |
| No-Fault Only? | Yes |
| Uncontested Timeline | 3-4 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Iowa, you must meet the following residency requirement: 1 year in Iowa (or spouse is resident).
The petitioner must have been a resident of Iowa for at least 1 year before filing, unless the respondent is also an Iowa resident, in which case there's no minimum.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Iowa's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Iowa without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
The petitioner must have been a resident of Iowa for at least 1 year before filing, unless the respondent is also an Iowa resident, in which case there's no minimum.
Download the official Iowa divorce forms: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Original Notice, Financial Affidavit. All forms are available from the Iowa courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Court form) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Iowa court and pay the filing fee of $265. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Iowa rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Iowa law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Iowa has a 90-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served. The court cannot grant a divorce until this period expires.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Iowa, this typically takes 3-4 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Iowa. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Notifies spouse
Financial disclosure
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Iowa is $265. The filing fee is $265 statewide. Iowa has a unified court system with standardized fees.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $265 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $400-$1,200 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Iowa offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Iowa, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Iowa courts are strict about service requirements.
Iowa is a equitable distribution state.
Iowa divides all property (marital and separate) equitably. The court considers length of marriage, property brought into marriage, each spouse's contribution, age, physical and emotional health, and earning capacity.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Iowa law applies to your specific property.
Iowa uses the Income shares model per Iowa Court Rules Chapter 9.
Iowa uses income shares guidelines under Chapter 9. Combined net monthly incomes determine base support, allocated based on each parent's share of total income. Adjustments apply for childcare and health insurance.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Iowa divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $265 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
90 days - Iowa has a 90-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served. The court cannot grant a divorce until this period expires.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
No-fault only state
90-day waiting period
All property subject to division (not just marital)
Conciliation procedures available
Strong emphasis on mediation
Common questions about filing for divorce in Iowa without an attorney.
Get 24/7 guidance specific to Iowa's forms, procedures, and requirements.
Iowa-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
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Child support calculator
Using Iowa's exact guidelines
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Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Iowa divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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