Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 631.13 (2026)

Appeals

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. Notice. An appeal from a judgment in small claims may be taken by any party by giving oral notice to the court at the conclusion of the hearing, or by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk within twenty days after judgment is rendered. In either case, the appealing party shall pay to the clerk within that twenty days the usual district court docket fee to perfect the appeal. No appeal shall be taken after twenty days. 2. Stay of judgment. Execution of judgment shall be stayed upon the filing with the clerk of the district court an appeal bond with surety approved by the clerk, in the sum specified in the judgment. 3. Transcript. Within twenty days after an appeal is taken, unless extended by order of a district judge or by stipulation of the parties, any party may file with the clerk as part of the record a transcript of the official report, if any, or in the event the report was made electronically, a transcription of the recording. If a transcription of an electronic recording is filed, the record on appeal shall contain the tape or other medium on which the proceedings were preserved. A transcription of an electronic recording shall be provided any party upon request and upon payment by the party of the actual costs of transcription. 4. Procedure on appeal. a. (1) The appeal shall be promptly heard upon the record thus filed without further

Tue Dec 09 21:58:51 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 631 (28, 0) 7 SMALL CLAIMS, §631.16\n\nevidence. If the original action was tried by a district judge, the appeal shall be decided by a different district judge. If the original action was tried by a district associate judge, the appeal shall be decided by a district judge. If the original action was tried by a judicial magistrate, the appeal shall be decided by a district judge or a district associate judge. The judge shall decide the appeal without regard to technicalities or defects which have not prejudiced the substantial rights of the parties, and may affirm, reverse, or modify the judgment, or render judgment as the judge or magistrate should have rendered. (2) If the record, in the opinion of the deciding judge, is inadequate for the purpose of rendering a judgment on appeal, the judge may order that additional evidence be presented relative to one or more issues, and may enter any other order which is necessary to protect the rights of the parties. The judge shall take minutes of any additional evidence, but the hearing shall not be reported by a certified court reporter. b. Upon entry of judgment the clerk may cause any recording tape or other device contained in the record to be erased for subsequent use. [C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §631.13] 84 Acts, ch 1322, §6, 7; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §261 Referred to in §331.307, 364.22, 631.11

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 21 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1982–2026 · leading case: Wilson v. Vanden Berg, 687 N.W.2d 575 (Iowa 2004).

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Wilson v. Vanden Berg, 687 N.W.2d 575 (Iowa 2004). · cites it 3× “See Iowa Code § 631.13 (1) (2001). A district associate judge denied Vanden Berg’s request to submit additional evidence, rejecting the defendant’s contention that he had not been given an adequate opportunity to defend himself.”

Hughes v. City of Cedar Rapids, 112 F. Supp. 3d 817 (N.D. Iowa 2015). “” Iowa Code § 631.13 . If the vehicle owner loses at the district court level, the vehicle owner may appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.”

Sunset Mobile Home Park v. Parsons, 324 N.W.2d 452 (Iowa 1982). “An appeal from a small claims court to a district court is governed by Iowa Code § 631.13 (4) (1981). The district court conducts a de novo review on the record before the magistrate unless it finds the record inadequate for the purpose of rendering a judgment, in which case it…”

Hyde v. Anania, 578 N.W.2d 647 (Iowa 1998). “See Iowa Code § 631.13 (1995). On August 13 Anania, - through counsel, filed a motion to vacate or modify pursuant to Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 252(a).”

Witcraft v. Sundstrand Health & Disability Grp. Benefit Plan, 420 N.W.2d 785 (Iowa 1988). “2d 452, 454 (Iowa 1982); Iowa Code § 631.13 (4) (1987). Because the underlying action here is one at law for damages, we review the district court’s decision to correct errors of law.”

Koethe v. Johnson, 328 N.W.2d 293 (Iowa 1982). “Iowa Code § 631.13 . That court ruled that Johnson’s unpaid earnings, at the time of garnishment, amounted to $257.”

Bergantzel v. Mlynarik, 619 N.W.2d 309 (Iowa 2000). “See Iowa Code § 631.13 (1999). The district court affirmed the decision of the small claims court.”

Midwest Recovery Servs. v. Cooper, 465 N.W.2d 855 (Iowa 1991). “Iowa Code § 631.13 (4)(a). In such case, the judge may order additional evidence.”

Cablevision Assocs. VI v. Fort Dodge, Iowa, Bd. of Review, 424 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 1988). “2d 260, 262 (Iowa 1980); Iowa Code § 631.13 (4)(a). In summary, we hold that the district court here was required under Iowa Code section 441.”

Lemon v. Pasternak, 340 N.W.2d 268 (Iowa 1983). “However, we also agree with defendant’s concession that “[t]he appeal in [this] case is governed by Iowa Code § 631.13 (1).” This statute provides the procedural rules for appeal from a small claims judgment.”

Hunke v. Veach, 572 N.W.2d 548 (Iowa 1997). “Iowa Code § 631.13 (4)(a). The tenants’ counterclaim was in writing and was served on the landlord as required by Iowa Code section 631.”

In re R.A.R., 464 N.W.2d 883 (Iowa 1991). “claims that the procedure for appeal to the district court in small claims actions, Iowa Code § 631.13 , should be applied here.”

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— Iowa Code § 631.13(4)(a) — 1 case

State v. $2,434.00 Cash, 461 N.W.2d 346 (Iowa Ct. App. 1990).

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