Iowa Divorce Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last updated January 09, 2023

Just as states have regulations on the marriage process, they also have legal requirements for divorce that define the procedures a person must go through in order to get divorced. This article provides a brief introduction to divorce laws in the state of Iowa.

Iowa Divorce Laws: The Basics

Not all of the state laws governing the divorce process are the same nationwide. For instance, under Iowa law one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for at least one year in order to file for divorce. Iowa also has a 90-day waiting period before a divorce becomes final, though this time may be reduced in cases of emergency.

The chart below lists the details of Iowa's divorce laws.

Code Section	§ 598, et seq. of the Iowa Code – Dissolution of Marriage
Residency Requirements	Unless the respondent is a resident and given personal service, the petitioner must have been a resident for the last year
Waiting Period	90 days after service of original notice (time may be shortened by the court in an emergency)
"No Fault&" Grounds for Divorce	Irretrievable breakdown
Defenses to a Divorce Filing	-
Other Grounds for Divorce	-

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

No-Fault Divorce Laws

All states, including Iowa, allow "no-fault" divorce. Under a no-fault divorce, you don't have to accuse your spouse or prove any specific wrongdoing on their part in order to get a divorce. Instead, you only have to demonstrate a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the legitimate objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

Iowa also offers alternatives to the traditional divorce process, known as annulment and legal separation. These only apply in certain circumstances and may have separate requirements. If you and your spouse have any shared minor children, Iowa child custody laws will apply to your case, as well as state statutes regarding child support guidelines and child support enforcement.