Iowa Code § 663.1 (2026)
Petition
The petition for the writ of habeas corpus must state:
1. That the person in whose behalf it is sought is restrained of the person’s liberty, and the person by whom and the place where the person is so restrained, mentioning the names of the parties, if known, and if unknown describing them with as much particularity as practicable.
2. The cause or pretense of such restraint, according to the best information of the applicant; and if by virtue of any legal process, a copy thereof must be annexed, or a satisfactory reason given for its absence.
3. That the restraint is illegal, and wherein.
4. That the legality of the restraint has not already been adjudged upon a prior proceeding of the same character, to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant.
5. Whether application for the writ has been before made to and refused by any court or judge, and if so, a copy of the petition in that case must be attached, with the reasons for the refusal, or satisfactory reasons given for the failure to do so. [C51, §2213; R60, §3801; C73, §3449; C97, §4417; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12468; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §663.1] Referred to in §822.1 \n