Iowa Code » Chapter 631 — SMALL CLAIMS
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 631.3 (2026)

Commencement of actions — clerk to furnish forms — subpoena

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. All actions shall be commenced by the filing of an original notice with the clerk. At the time of filing, the clerk shall enter on the original notice and the copies to be served, the file number and the date the action is filed.

2. The clerk shall furnish standard forms as provided in section 631.15, as such pleadings may be required. The clerk may furnish information to any party to enable the party to complete a form.

3. The clerk shall cause to be entered upon each copy of the original notice and in the docket the time within which the defendant is required to appear, which time shall be determined in accordance with section 631.4.

4. Upon the request of a party to the action, the clerk or a judicial officer shall issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses at a hearing. Sections 622.63 through 622.67, 622.69, 622.76, and 622.77 apply to subpoenas issued pursuant to this chapter. [C73, §631.3, 631.5; C75, 77, 79, 81, §631.3] 83 Acts, ch 186, §10117, 10201; 84 Acts, ch 1322, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §359 \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 1979–2016 · leading case: Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 155 (Iowa 2016).
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Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 155 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code §§ 631.3 , .7(1); Barnes, 279 N.”
GE Money Bank v. Morales, 773 N.W.2d 533 (Iowa 2009). · cites it 2× “The verified account is not a part of the original notice under Iowa Code section 631.3, but rather a separate document filed in lieu of the plaintiff's appearance.”
Midwest Recovery Servs. v. Cooper, 465 N.W.2d 855 (Iowa 1991). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 631.3 . The clerk can help fill out the form.”
Barnes Beauty Coll. v. McCoy, 279 N.W.2d 258 (Iowa 1979). · cites it 2× “§ 631.3. The clerk can help fill out the form.”
Severson v. Peterson, 364 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 1985). · cites it 2× “§ 631.3. The clerk can help fill out the form.”
Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc. (Iowa 2016). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code §§ 631.3 , .7(1); Barnes, 279 N.”
Amended July 26, 2016 Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc. (Iowa 2016). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code §§ 631.3 , .7(1); Barnes, 279 N.”
GE Money Bank Vs. Maria Morales (Iowa 2009). · cites it 2× “The verified account is not a part of the original notice under Iowa Code section 631.3, but rather a separate document filed in lieu of the plaintiff’s appearance.”
— Iowa Code § 631.3(2) — 2 cases
Barnes Beauty Coll. v. McCoy, 279 N.W.2d 258 (Iowa 1979). “§ 631.3. The clerk can help fill out the form.”
Severson v. Peterson, 364 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 1985). “§ 631.3. The clerk can help fill out the form.”
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