Pro Se Center
This page contains resources to help individuals represent themselves Pro Se in both District Court and in the Appellate Courts. Please read our legal disclaimer.
District Court:
Are you looking for a specific form to file in District Court? Try here.
Are you searching for Iowa Law? Try here.
Are you searching for Case Law? Try here. Another great free resource for researching Case Law can be found here. Lastly, the State Library of Iowa can be contacted for free Case Law by clicking here.
Have a support question? Search our Message Board or post your question.
Our Video On Demand (VOD) provides information through topic discussion to help assist members with legal issues. Note: This feature is coming soon!
Be sure to visit our Legal Resources section for additional resources and information.
Tips for District Court:
1. When filing a motion, if you are unsure, file an Original Notice along with you filing with the Clerk of Court.
2. When filing a motion, if you are unsure, always have a file stamped copy of the motion and/or court order along with the Original Notice served upon the other party by the Sherriff's Department or third party Process Server.
3. Always pay your filing fee when you file your application. If you can not afford the filing fee, don't let that stop you from having access to the Courts. You may want to apply for In Forma Pauperis.
4. Always get file stamped copies for yourself and the opposing party from the Clerk of Court.
5. Did you get a ruling you feel is unfair? Prior to filing a Notice of Appeal, I suggest you file a Motion to Amend or Enlarge Findings. Note: This does not prevent you from appealing a ruling, allows the judge the opportunity to reconsider, and your time for appeal starts after the judge issues a ruling on your application.
6. Get to a Support Meeting! Information and networking is the key to being successful in Court.
Common Support Meeting Questions That Get Answered (just a few examples):
1. What can I do to exercise my court ordered visitation?
2. How can I get more visitation with my children?
3. My former is moving with the children, what can I do?
4. How can I get my child support adjusted?
5. How can I obtain medical information on my children?
6. How can I obtain school records on my children?
7. What type of child custody arrangement should I seek?
8. My attorney says the judge won't award Joint Physical Care because my former refuses to communicate, is that true?
9. What is the Hansen Checklist my attorney keeps referring to?
10. Can a father get primary physical placement in Iowa?
Appellate Court:
The process to appeal a ruling is as follows (See Chapter 6 of the Iowa Rules of Appellate Procedure):
1. File a Notice of Appeal with the Clerk of the District Court. Note: Send a file stamped copy to the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Alse see
2. File a Combined Certificate with the Clerk of the District Court. Be sure to specify if you are going to order or if you have already ordered transcripts. Note: Send a file stamped copy to the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
3. Pay the Docket Fee to the Supreme Court within 7 days of filing the Notice of Appeal. The Docket Fee is $150 see Iowa Rules of Appellate Procedure 6.702.
Note: Steps 1, 2, & 3 are found under "Pre-Briefing Procedures" under Appellate Procedure Timetables.
4. See Briefing Procedure below (click on picture for larger view):
Additional Appellate Information:
Sample Certificate of Compliance
Sample Designation of Parts to be Included in Appendix
Misc. Assistance:
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