Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 809A.11 — Claims — petitions for recognition of exemption
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 809A: Forfeiture Reform Act, Iowa Code.
Full text of Iowa Code § 809A.11
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. Only an owner of or interest holder in property seized for forfeiture may file a claim, and shall do so in the manner provided in this section. The claim shall be mailed to the seizing agency and to the prosecuting attorney by restricted certified mail or other service which indicates the date on which the claim was received by the seizing agency and prosecuting attorney within thirty days after the effective date of notice of pending forfeiture. An extension of time for the filing of a claim shall only be granted for good cause shown for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, or unavoidable casualty.
2. The prosecuting attorney shall make an opportunity to file a petition for recognition of exemption available by so indicating in the notice of pending forfeiture described in section 809A.8, subsection 2.
3. The claim or petition and all supporting documents shall be in affidavit form, signed by the claimant under oath, and sworn to by the affiant before one who has authority to administer the oath, under penalty of perjury and shall set forth all of the following:
a. The caption of the proceedings and identifying number, if any, as set forth on the notice of pending forfeiture or complaint, the name of the claimant or petitioner, and the name of the prosecuting attorney who authorized the notice of pending forfeiture or complaint.
b. The address where the claimant or petitioner will accept mail.
c. The nature and extent of the claimant’s or petitioner’s interest in the property.
d. The date, the identity of the transferor, and the circumstances of the claimant’s or petitioner’s acquisition of the interest in the property.
e. The specific provision of law relied on in asserting that the property is not subject to forfeiture.
f. All essential facts supporting each assertion.
g. The specific relief sought.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.