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Iowa · LiensIowa judgment liens: ten years, where they attach and the homestead exception

Iowa makes court judgments automatic liens on land. Judgments of Iowa's appellate or district courts, or of the federal courts within the state, are liens on the real estate the defendant owns when judgment is rendered and on all the defendant acquires later, for ten years from the date of the judgment (Iowa Code §624.23(1)). In the county where the judgment is entered in the judgment docket and lien index, the lien attaches from that entry; in another county it attaches only once an attested copy of the judgment is filed with the clerk of the district court there (§624.24). The lien doesn't attach to real estate occupied as a homestead under chapter 561, except as section 561.21 provides or where the homestead exceeds the statutory limits, and a claim of lien against claimed homestead property is barred unless the judgment owner levies execution within thirty days after being served a written demand with a supporting affidavit (§624.23(2)).

What the statutes set

  1. Ten years (§624.23(1))

    On land owned at judgment and acquired later.

  2. Attachment (§624.24)

    From docket entry in the county; elsewhere when an attested copy is filed.

  3. Homestead (§624.23(2)(a))

    No lien on a homestead except as §561.21 provides.

  4. 30-day demand (§624.23(2)(b))

    Homestead claim barred unless execution is levied within 30 days.

What the TC does when an Iowa title search shows a judgment

  • List each judgment against the seller from the abstract or title opinion, with its date.
  • If the property is the seller's homestead, ask the seller's attorney about a §624.23 demand.
  • Otherwise get a payoff and a satisfaction of judgment for each lien before closing.

Questions about Iowa judgment liens

How long does an Iowa judgment lien last?

Ten years from the date of the judgment (Iowa Code §624.23(1)).

Does an Iowa judgment lien attach to a homestead?

No, except as Iowa Code §561.21 provides or where the homestead exceeds the statutory limits (Iowa Code §624.23(2)(a)).

Related guides

Track each judgment payoff and satisfaction as tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: Iowa Code §§624.23, 624.24 (legis.iowa.gov, Iowa Code 2026), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.