Division III: Commencement of Actions · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.306 extends Iowa's jurisdiction to any corporation, individual, partnership, or association with the minimum contacts the Constitution requires, and allows service within or outside Iowa under Rule 1.305 or, when that is not possible, in any manner a court orders consistent with due process.
Full Text of Rule 1.306
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Every corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership or association that shall have the necessary minimum contact with the state of Iowa shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state, and the courts of this state shall hold such corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership or association amenable to suit in Iowa in every case not contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States.
Service may be made on any such corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership or association as provided in rule 1.305 within or without the state or, if such service cannot be so made, in any manner consistent with due process of law prescribed by order of the court in which the action is brought.
Nothing herein shall limit or affect the right to serve an original notice upon any corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership or association within or without this state in any manner now or hereafter permitted by statute or rule.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.306 is Iowa's long-arm provision. It reaches any corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership, or association that has the minimum contact with Iowa the United States Constitution requires, holding that entity amenable to suit in Iowa courts in every case that does not run afoul of the Constitution. In plain terms, if a person or business has enough of a connection to Iowa, Iowa courts can exercise jurisdiction over it, wherever that person or business happens to be located.
Once jurisdiction exists, Rule 1.306 turns to how service happens. It can proceed under Rule 1.305's methods, whether the defendant is inside or outside Iowa, and if that is not possible, a court may prescribe any manner of service consistent with due process. The rule closes by making clear it does not cut off any other way of serving an original notice already available under some other statute or rule — Rule 1.306 adds a path, rather than replacing the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Iowa courts get jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant?
Yes, if the defendant has the minimum contact with Iowa the Constitution requires. Rule 1.306 makes any corporation, individual, personal representative, partnership, or association with that minimum contact amenable to suit in Iowa courts.
What is the “minimum contacts” standard under Rule 1.306?
It is the constitutional threshold of connection to Iowa that must exist before Iowa courts can exercise jurisdiction over someone. The rule ties Iowa's reach directly to what the United States Constitution allows.
How is an out-of-state defendant served under this rule?
Through the methods in Rule 1.305, whether the defendant is inside or outside Iowa, or, if that is not possible, in any manner consistent with due process that the court orders.
Does Rule 1.306 replace the personal service methods in Rule 1.305?
No. It works alongside Rule 1.305 and explicitly preserves any other manner of service already permitted by statute or rule.
What if none of the standard service methods can reach an out-of-state defendant?
The court can prescribe an alternate manner of service, so long as it is consistent with due process of law.
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:iowa long arm jurisdiction ruleminimum contacts service iowaserving out of state defendant iowaiowa due process servicealternate service method iowa