Iowa Divorce No Children Process: Steps for Childless Couples

What's Different When There Are No Children

Iowa's Chapter 17 forms are split into two tracks: the 100-series for dissolutions without minor or dependent adult children, and the 200-series for those with minor or dependent adult children. If you don't have minor or dependent adult children together (biological or adopted), you file on the simpler 100-series track. That means no parenting plan, no mandatory "Children in the Middle" parenting class, no child support worksheet, and no UCCJEA affidavit.

The result is fewer forms, fewer deadlines, and — in uncontested cases — a realistic path to a final decree without ever setting foot in a courtroom.

The Step-by-Step Process

Prepare Your Forms

For ordinary cases, you'll file these Chapter 17 forms through the Iowa EDMS electronic filing system; paper-filing exceptions are limited:

• Form 101 — Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (no children)
• Form 102 — Petition Cover Sheet
• Form 103 — Confidential Information Form (shields Social Security numbers and financial account numbers from the public docket)
• Form 104 — Original Notice for Personal Service (the summons served on your spouse)

Print the petition, fill it out, sign it by hand, then scan it as a PDF for electronic upload. Follow each other form's signature instructions. The court won't accept typed or electronic signatures on the petition — a wet signature scanned into PDF is the standard.

Register on EDMS and File

Register as a Pro Se filer on the Iowa Judicial Branch EDMS portal. Select "New Case," enter party information (you as Petitioner, your spouse as Respondent), and upload your scanned PDFs. The filing fee is $285, payable during submission. If you qualify for a fee deferral based on income, upload Form 109 (Application and Affidavit to Defer Payment of Costs) instead of paying.

Once the clerk accepts your filing, you'll receive an email with your stamped case number.

Serve Your Spouse

You have 90 days from the filing date to formally serve the Original Notice and Petition on your spouse. Common service options include:

• Acceptance of Service (Form 105) — Your spouse signs the form acknowledging receipt. This is free, cooperative, and the fastest method for uncontested cases.
• Sheriff service — File Form 106 (Directions for Service) and pay the county sheriff $40–$75 to deliver the papers in person.
• Private process server — Any disinterested adult over 18 can serve the papers. They'll file a notarized Affidavit of Service afterward.

If you can't locate your spouse after exhaustive attempts, you can petition for service by publication (Form 107), but that requires a court order and newspaper publication as directed by the order.

Wait for the Response (or Default)

Your spouse has 20 days after service — or 60 days if served out of state by mail under Rule 1.306 — to file a formal Answer, generally through EDMS unless a paper-filing exception applies. If they don't respond within the applicable response period, you can pursue a default judgment by filing Form 126 (Notice of Intent to File Written Application for Default Decree), then waiting an additional 10 days before filing the default motion.

Exchange Financial Affidavits

Both spouses must file Form 124 (Financial Affidavit) disclosing all income, expenses, assets, and debts. This is mandatory even in uncontested cases — the court won't sign a final decree without both affidavits on file.

Submit the Settlement and Proposed Decree

After the 90-day waiting period under Iowa Code Section 598.19 has elapsed (counting from the applicable date of service — the date of the signed Acceptance of Service, personal service, or final publication), submit:

• Form 128 — Settlement Agreement
• Form 127 — Request for Relief
• A Proposed Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

A District Court judge reviews the filed record. Under Iowa Code Section 598.8, if the forms are complete and the property division is equitable, the judge signs the decree electronically — no hearing required.

Can You Finalize Without a Court Hearing?

In most uncontested no-children cases, yes. The judge reviews the uploaded documents and enters the decree on affidavits alone. Iowa law explicitly allows this when both parties have agreed on all terms and filed complete financial disclosures.

There are two situations where you might still need a brief hearing:

• Default cases where the judge wants oral confirmation. Some judges require a short default hearing. This is usually a brief appearance.
• Residency challenges. If the respondent contests your residency claim, the court may schedule a hearing to take corroborating testimony.

Timeline for No-Children Dissolutions

For an uncontested case with prompt service, a typical timeline is roughly 90–120 days from filing to final decree:

• Day 1: File petition on EDMS, pay $285
• Days 1–90: Complete service on your spouse (or arrange sheriff service) within the required 90-day window
• After service: Respondent's applicable response window runs (20 days, or 60 days for out-of-state service by mail)
• During the 90-day waiting period: Exchange financial affidavits, negotiate and draft settlement agreement
• Day 90+: Submit settlement, request for relief, and proposed decree
• Days 90–120: Judge reviews and signs the decree

Contested cases stretch to 12–24 months depending on the complexity of asset division and court scheduling.

What You Still Need to Get Right

Even without child-related requirements, the procedural details matter. Missing the 90-day service deadline dismisses your case. An incomplete Financial Affidavit gets returned by the clerk. Filing in the wrong county opens the door to a venue challenge.

The Iowa Divorce Filing Process Guide covers the full no-children track with step-by-step worksheets — from residency verification through the final decree submission — so every form and deadline is accounted for before you click submit.

See more Iowa guides →