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Free · general informationIowa
What to do when someone dies in Iowa
The first things Iowa’s own law asks for after a death, quoted word for word, then the pages for everything that follows, in the order it usually comes. Nothing here decides what a particular family must do. That belongs to the office named, the court, or an attorney in Iowa.
Every fact dated, in the official words
Each state’s own law
Every quotation checked October 24, 2026
Your planner for Iowa is ready.US$39 once, printed at home.
Pages taken from the planner, by email: who to phone first, and a blank records sheet.
Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.
§1Filing the death certificate: how soon, and before final disposition
Registering the death comes first. These are Iowa’s own words on who files the record, and how soon.
A death certificate for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed as directed by the state registrar within three days after the death and prior to final disposition, and shall be registered by the county registrar if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §144.26(1)(a)
§2Who files the death certificate, and who does when there is no funeral director
The funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file the death certificate, obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available and obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible for completing the certification.
When a person other than a funeral director assumes custody of a dead body, the person shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this section.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §144.27(1)
§3What the person holding the will must do once told of the death, and the contempt for refusing a court order
The will has its own rules. These are Iowa’s own words on who brings it to the court after a death, and what the court does with it.
After being informed of the death of the testator, the person having custody of the testator’s will shall deliver it to the court having jurisdiction of the testator’s estate. Every person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court to do so shall be guilty of contempt of court.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.285
§4Depositing a will with the clerk for safekeeping during life
The clerk shall maintain a file for the safekeeping of wills. There shall be placed therein wills deposited with the clerk by living testators or by persons on their behalf
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.286
§5A deposited will after the death: when it is publicly opened, and what the court does
If no petition for the probate thereof has been filed within thirty days after the death of the testator, it shall be publicly opened, and the court shall make such orders as it deems appropriate for the disposition of said will.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.289
A death certificate for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed as directed by the state registrar within three days after the death and prior to final disposition, and shall be registered by the county registrar if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §144.26(1)(a)
The funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file the death certificate, obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available and obtain the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible for completing the certification.
When a person other than a funeral director assumes custody of a dead body, the person shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this section.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §144.27(1)
After being informed of the death of the testator, the person having custody of the testator’s will shall deliver it to the court having jurisdiction of the testator’s estate. Every person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court to do so shall be guilty of contempt of court.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.285
If no petition for the probate thereof has been filed within thirty days after the death of the testator, it shall be publicly opened, and the court shall make such orders as it deems appropriate for the disposition of said will.
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.289
The clerk shall maintain a file for the safekeeping of wills. There shall be placed therein wills deposited with the clerk by living testators or by persons on their behalf
Iowa · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Iowa Code §633.286
