Iowa small claims court — Johnson County

What is "small claims"?

Iowa small claims is a streamlined track for civil disputes under a dollar limit. It's heard by magistrates, uses simplified forms, and is built for people who don't have lawyers. The current jurisdictional limit has been $6,500 following recent statutory updates — verify the current figure with the Clerk of Court before filing, because the limit has moved over the years and may change again.

Common small claims cases

• Unpaid debt — invoices, loans to friends/family, services rendered.
• Security deposit recovery against a landlord (Iowa requires return within 30 days or a written statement of deductions; see tenant rights).
• Property damage — minor car accidents, broken items, damaged fences.
• Breach of contract — written or oral agreements gone wrong.
• Lemon law and other consumer cases under the cap.
• Minor personal injury claims where damages are within the cap.
• Landlord-tenant disputes including evictions — Iowa Code Chapter 648 has its own forcible entry & detainer (FED) track that runs alongside small claims procedure with specific timelines and notice requirements.

Filing fees

Small claims filing fees in Iowa are modest — typically in the $85–$95 range depending on the amount in controversy. Service of process is an additional cost. Verify current fees with the Clerk before paying.

How to file — step by step

1. Identify the right defendant. Use the exact legal name. For a business, use the registered name from the Iowa Secretary of State or county records. Wrong defendant = wasted filing.
2. Confirm venue. File in the county where the defendant lives, the business operates, or the events occurred. For Coralville claims against Coralville-area defendants, that's Johnson County.
3. Prepare the petition. Use the Iowa Judicial Branch small claims forms (available at iowacourts.gov). State who, what, when, where, and the dollar amount.
4. File. Paper at the Clerk's window, or e-file through eFlex (you'll need an eFlex account). Pay the fee.
5. Arrange service of process. The defendant must be properly served — typically by the Johnson County Sheriff (fee applies) or by certified mail with restricted delivery. If service fails, the case can't move forward.
6. Wait for the hearing date. Typically 30–60 days out. You'll get notice from the court.
7. Prepare. Gather originals + copies of every document (contract, receipts, photos, texts). Identify witnesses. Write a timeline.
8. Show up. Arrive early. Bring your evidence. Wait for the magistrate to call your case.

What to bring to the hearing

• Photo ID
• Original documents and three copies of each (one for the magistrate, one for the defendant, one for you)
• A written timeline of events with dates
• Any communications (text messages, emails) printed out
• Photos with dates if relevant
• Witnesses (they need to be there in person, or arrangements made in advance for telephonic appearance)
• An estimate of damages and how you calculated them
• If you have an attorney, their notice of appearance should already be filed

How the hearing actually runs

The magistrate calls your case. You sit at a table; the defendant sits at another. There's no jury and the rules of evidence are relaxed compared to district court. The basic flow:

1. Plaintiff (you) goes first. Tell your story plainly. Hand up documents. Call any witnesses.
2. Defendant responds. Their version, their documents, their witnesses.
3. Each side can ask questions. Be respectful — magistrates run a tight ship.
4. Closing. A short summary of why you should win.
5. Ruling. Often delivered from the bench that day. Sometimes the magistrate takes it under advisement and issues a written order later.

Appeals

Either side can appeal a small claims judgment to district court. The appeal must be filed within a short window — typically 20 days from the entry of judgment. The district court reviews de novo (fresh), meaning a new hearing — not just a review of the magistrate's ruling. The appeal has its own filing fee.

Collecting after you win

Winning is half the battle. A judgment alone doesn't move money — you have to enforce it. Iowa gives the judgment creditor several tools:

Iowa judgments are good for 10 years and can be renewed before expiration. Interest accrues at the statutory rate from the date of judgment until paid.

Evictions (FED) — a different track

Iowa landlord-tenant eviction cases are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) actions under Iowa Code Chapter 648. They use the small claims framework but with specific notice requirements (3-day notice for nonpayment, longer for other reasons), expedited scheduling, and limited issues at trial. If you're a tenant facing eviction, get advice fast — see tenant rights and consider calling Iowa Legal Aid.

FAQ — Iowa small claims