The juvenile court shall base its findings and order under section 600A.9 on clear and
convincing proof. The following shall be, either separately or jointly, grounds for ordering
termination of parental rights:
1. A parent has signed a release of custody pursuant to section 600A.4 and the release has
not been revoked.
2. A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to
section 600A.5.
3. The parent has abandoned the child. For the purposes of this subsection, a parent is
deemed to have abandoned a child as follows:
a. (1) If the child is less than six months of age when the termination hearing is held, a
parent is deemed to have abandoned the child unless the parent does all of the following:
(a) Demonstrates a willingness to assume custody of the child rather than merely
objecting to the termination of parental rights.
(b) Takes prompt action to establish a parental relationship with the child.
(c) Demonstrates, through actions, a commitment to the child.
(2) In determining whether the requirements of this paragraph are met, the court may
consider all of the following:
(a) The fitness and ability of the parent in personally assuming custody of the child,
including a personal and financial commitment which is timely demonstrated.
(b) Whether efforts made by the parent in personally assuming custody of the child are
substantial enough to evince a settled purpose to personally assume all parental duties.
(c) With regard to a putative father, whether the putative father publicly acknowledged
paternity or held himself out to be the father of the child during the six continuing months
immediately prior to the termination proceeding.
(d) With regard to a putative father, whether the putative father paid a fair and reasonable
sum, in accordance with the putative father’s means, for medical, hospital, and nursing
expenses incurred in connection with the mother’s pregnancy or with the birth of the child,
or whether the putative father demonstrated emotional support as evidenced by the putative
father’s conduct toward the mother.
(e) Any measures taken by the parent to establish legal responsibility for the child.
(f) Any other factors evincing a commitment to the child.
b. If the child is six months of age or older when the termination hearing is held, a parent is
deemed to have abandoned the child unless the parent maintains substantial and continuous
or repeated contact with the child as demonstrated by contribution toward support of the
child of a reasonable amount, according to the parent’s means, and as demonstrated by any
of the following:
(1) Visiting the child at least monthly when physically and financially able to do so and
when not prevented from doing so by the person having lawful custody of the child.
(2) Regular communication with the child or with the person having the care or custody
of the child, when physically and financially unable to visit the child or when prevented from
visiting the child by the person having lawful custody of the child.
(3) Openly living with the child for a period of six months within the one-year period
immediately preceding the termination of parental rights hearing and during that period
openly holding himself or herself out to be the parent of the child.
c. The subjective intent of the parent, whether expressed or otherwise, unsupported by
evidence of acts specified in paragraph “a” or “b” manifesting such intent, does not preclude
a determination that the parent has abandoned the child. In making a determination, the
court shall not require a showing of diligent efforts by any person to encourage the parent
to perform the acts specified in paragraph “a” or “b”. In making a determination regarding a
putative father, the court may consider the conduct of the putative father toward the child’s
mother during the pregnancy. Demonstration of a commitment to the child is not met by the
putative father marrying the mother of the child after adoption of the child.
4. A parent has been ordered to contribute to the support of the child or financially aid in
the child’s birth and has failed to do so without good cause.\n\nTue Dec 09 21:59:52 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 600A (43, 0)
11 TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, §600A.9\n\n 5. A parent does not object to the termination after having been given proper notice and
the opportunity to object.
6. A parent does not object to the termination although every reasonable effort has been
made to identify, locate and give notice to that parent as required in section 600A.6.
7. An adoptive parent requests termination of parental rights and the parent-child
relationship based upon a showing that the adoption was fraudulently induced in accordance
with the procedures set out in section 600A.9, subsection 3.
8. Both of the following circumstances apply to a parent:
a. The parent has been determined to be a person with a substance use disorder as defined
in section 125.2 and the parent has committed a second or subsequent domestic abuse assault
pursuant to section 708.2A.
b. The parent has abducted the child, has improperly removed the child from the physical
custody of the person entitled to custody without the consent of that person, or has improperly
retained the child after a visit or other temporary relinquishment of physical custody.
9. The parent has been imprisoned for a crime against the child, the child’s sibling, or
another child in the household, or the parent has been imprisoned and it is unlikely that the
parent will be released from prison for a period of five or more years.
10. The parent has been convicted of a felony offense that is a sex offense against a minor
as defined in section 692A.101, the parent is divorced from or was never married to the
minor’s other parent, and the parent is serving a minimum sentence of confinement of at
least five years for that offense.
11. The court finds there is clear and convincing evidence that the child was conceived as
the result of sexual abuse as defined in section 709.1, and the biological parent against whom
the sexual abuse was perpetrated requests termination of the parental rights of the biological
parent who perpetrated the sexual abuse.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, §232.41; C77, 79, 81, §600A.8]
92 Acts, ch 1192, §2, 5; 95 Acts, ch 182, §26; 97 Acts, ch 161, §2; 97 Acts, ch 209, §27, 30;
2004 Acts, ch 1010, §1, 2; 2005 Acts, ch 69, §55; 2006 Acts, ch 1182, §63; 2009 Acts, ch 119,
§43; 2011 Acts, ch 121, §59, 62; 2016 Acts, ch 1046, §2; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1259
Referred to in §600A.5, 600A.9
\n
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
268
cases (
98 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case:
Klobnock Ex Rel. Abbott, 303 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa 1981).
Klobnock Ex Rel. Abbott, 303 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa 1981).
· cites it 78× “Our review of a trial court's finding of grounds for termination of parental rights under section 600A.8 is de novo. In re Hoppe, 289 N.”
In The Interest Of A.h.b., Minor Child, M.l.b., Mother, 791 N.W.2d 687 (Iowa 2010).
· cites it 28× “Iowa Code § 600A.8(9). The present perfect tense encompasses both events that occurred in the indefinite past (She has been to Rome) and past actions that continue into or touch the present (It has been raining).”
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
· cites it 22× “A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
In the Interest of Chad, 318 N.W.2d 213 (Iowa 1982).
· cites it 23× “Trial court applied section 600A.8, The Code 1977, to events preceding July 1, 1979, and section 232.”
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
· cites it 12× “See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
In the Interest of C.M.W., 503 N.W.2d 874 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993).
· cites it 28× “Although abandonment is a separate ground for termination, section 600A.8(3), we conclude that the legislature intended termination for nonsupport to occur where a parent's failure to pay manifests indifference to a child and is therefore akin to abandonment.”
In the Interest of C.A.V., 787 N.W.2d 96 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010).
· cites it 16× “6(6)(a), but that proof of abandonment remains subject to the clear-and-eonvincing-evidence standard in section 600A.8. The Iowa Supreme Court recognized the variant standards in In re P.”
In the Interest of D.W.K., 365 N.W.2d 32 (Iowa 1985).
· cites it 12× “The novel question presented by this appeal is whether the district court may dismiss a father’s petition for voluntary termination of his parental rights where one or more of the Iowa Code section 600A.8 grounds are established, but the termination is not otherwise in the…”
In the Interest of Ponx, 276 N.W.2d 425 (Iowa 1979).
· cites it 18× “Several issues are raised concerning the application of section 600A.8, The Code 1977, to the facts of this case.”
Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745 (1982).
· cites it 2× “Code §§ 24A-2201(c), 24A-3201 (1979); Iowa Code § 600A.8 (1981) ("clear and convincing proof"); Me.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(1) — 11 cases
In the Interest of Chad, 318 N.W.2d 213 (Iowa 1982).
“Trial court applied section 600A.8, The Code 1977, to events preceding July 1, 1979, and section 232.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(10) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(11) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) — 3 cases
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(2)(20) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(2)(b) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3) — 113 cases
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
Klobnock Ex Rel. Abbott, 303 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa 1981).
“Our review of a trial court's finding of grounds for termination of parental rights under section 600A.8 is de novo. In re Hoppe, 289 N.”
In the Interest of C.M.W., 503 N.W.2d 874 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993).
“Although abandonment is a separate ground for termination, section 600A.8(3), we conclude that the legislature intended termination for nonsupport to occur where a parent's failure to pay manifests indifference to a child and is therefore akin to abandonment.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(2016) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a) — 6 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(1) — 8 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(1)(2) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(1)(a) — 2 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(1)(b) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(1)(c) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2) — 7 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(a) — 3 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(b) — 2 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(c) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(d) — 2 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(e) — 2 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(a)(2)(f) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(b) — 190 cases
In the Interest of C.A.V., 787 N.W.2d 96 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010).
“6(6)(a), but that proof of abandonment remains subject to the clear-and-eonvincing-evidence standard in section 600A.8. The Iowa Supreme Court recognized the variant standards in In re P.”
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
In Re Cav, 787 N.W.2d 96 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010).
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(b)(1) — 71 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(b)(2) — 31 cases
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(b)(3) — 12 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(b)(l) — 1 case
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(3)(c) — 86 cases
In the Interest of G.A., 826 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“A father appeals the termination of his parental rights under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3) (2011). While the father does not dispute that he failed to maintain regular contact with the child, he contends termination was inappropriate because the mother prevented visitation, and…”
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(4) — 68 cases
Klobnock Ex Rel. Abbott, 303 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa 1981).
“Our review of a trial court's finding of grounds for termination of parental rights under section 600A.8 is de novo. In re Hoppe, 289 N.”
In the Interest of Chad, 318 N.W.2d 213 (Iowa 1982).
“Trial court applied section 600A.8, The Code 1977, to events preceding July 1, 1979, and section 232.”
In the Interest of C.M.W., 503 N.W.2d 874 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993).
“Although abandonment is a separate ground for termination, section 600A.8(3), we conclude that the legislature intended termination for nonsupport to occur where a parent's failure to pay manifests indifference to a child and is therefore akin to abandonment.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(5) — 6 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(6) — 2 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(7) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(8) — 1 case
In the Interest of W.W., 826 N.W.2d 706 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012).
“See Iowa Code § 600A.8(2) (“A parent has petitioned for the parent’s termination of parental rights pursuant to section 600A.”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(9) — 20 cases
In The Interest Of A.h.b., Minor Child, M.l.b., Mother, 791 N.W.2d 687 (Iowa 2010).
“Iowa Code § 600A.8(9). The present perfect tense encompasses both events that occurred in the indefinite past (She has been to Rome) and past actions that continue into or touch the present (It has been raining).”
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(b) — 3 cases
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(b)(1) — 1 case
— Iowa Code § 600A.8(b)(3) — 3 cases
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.