After the filing of a petition, publication of the original notice shall be made once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the petition is filed. The newspaper shall be selected by the plaintiff.
Rule 1.313.How published
Division III: Commencement of Actions · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.313 requires that a published original notice run once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the petition was filed, with the plaintiff choosing which newspaper.
Full Text of Rule 1.313
Plain-English Summary
Once a case qualifies for service by publication, Rule 1.313 sets the mechanics of the publication itself. After the petition is filed, the original notice must be published once each week for three consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the petition was filed. The plaintiff gets to select which newspaper runs the notice, as long as it meets that general-circulation and in-county requirement.
The three-week, once-weekly cadence gives a defendant multiple chances to see the notice over roughly a month, which is part of why publication is treated as an acceptable substitute for personal delivery only in the limited case types Rule 1.310 defines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times must a published notice run under Iowa's rules?
Once each week for three consecutive weeks, under Rule 1.313.
Which newspaper can be used for publication?
A newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the petition was filed.
Does the newspaper have to be located in the county where the case was filed?
Yes. Rule 1.313 requires the newspaper to be one of general circulation published in the county where the petition is filed.
Who picks the newspaper used for publication?
The plaintiff selects the newspaper, subject to the rule's general-circulation and in-county requirements.
When does the three-week publication period begin?
After the petition has been filed, since Rule 1.313 ties publication to that filing.
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
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