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Deed Recording Requirements in Iowa

An Iowa deed is not lawfully recorded unless it has been acknowledged, no witnesses are required, and a real estate transfer tax of 80 cents per $500 applies when there is consideration.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Iowa at a glance

Notary acknowledgment
Required to record
Witnesses
None
Transfer tax
State tax applies
Exemptions may apply

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Iowa

Does a deed need to be notarized in Iowa?

Iowa requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.

How many witnesses does a deed need in Iowa?

None. Iowa does not require witnesses to sign a deed.

Is there a real estate transfer tax in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.

Where do the Iowa rules for deeds come from?

They come from Iowa Code 558.42, Iowa Code 558.20, Iowa Code 428A.1 and 1 other source. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How Iowa compares

Iowa is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.

What this means in practice

Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.

Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.

A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.