Division VII: Depositions and Perpetuating Testimony · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.712 requires the officer to certify that the deponent was sworn and the transcript is a true record, sets rules for marking, copying, and returning exhibits produced at the deposition, and lets the officer furnish transcript copies to any party or the deponent for a reasonable charge.
1.712(1)The officer shall certify on the deposition that the witness was duly sworn and that the deposition is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. Documents and things produced for inspection during the deposition shall, upon the request of a party, be marked for identification and annexed to the deposition, and may be inspected and copied by any party, except that:
a.The person producing the materials may substitute copies to be marked for identification, if all parties are provided fair opportunity to verify the copies by comparison with the originals.
b.If the person producing the materials requests their return, the officer shall mark them, give each party an opportunity to inspect and copy them, and return them to the person producing them, and the materials may then be used in the same manner as if annexed to the deposition. Any party may move for an order that the original materials be filed with the court, pending final disposition of the case.
(2)Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the officer shall furnish a copy of the deposition to any party or to the deponent.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.712(1) requires the officer to certify on the deposition that the witness was duly sworn and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given. Documents and things produced for inspection during the deposition are marked for identification and attached to the deposition on request, and any party may inspect and copy them.
Two exceptions soften that default. The person producing the materials may substitute copies for the originals, so long as every party gets a fair opportunity to verify the copies against the originals. And if the producing party wants the originals back, the officer marks them, gives every party a chance to inspect and copy them, and returns them — after which they can be used just as if they had been attached to the deposition. Any party may still move for an order that the original materials be filed with the court pending the case's final disposition.
Rule 1.712(2) also lets the officer furnish a copy of the completed deposition to any party or to the deponent, upon payment of reasonable charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the officer certify on a completed deposition?
That the witness was duly sworn and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given, as required by Rule 1.712(1).
What happens to documents produced for inspection at a deposition?
They are marked for identification and attached to the deposition on request, unless the producing party substitutes verified copies or asks for the originals back under the rule's return procedure.
Can I get the original exhibits filed with the court instead of returned to the producing party?
Yes. Rule 1.712(1) lets any party move for an order that the original materials be filed with the court pending the case's final disposition.
Can I get a copy of a deposition transcript?
Yes. Rule 1.712(2) requires the officer to furnish a copy to any party or the deponent upon payment of reasonable charges.
Are documents produced at a deposition automatically attached to the transcript?
No. Rule 1.712(1) requires the officer to mark and attach documents and things produced for inspection only on a party's request — nothing happens automatically unless someone asks for it.
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 deposition exhibit marking ruledeposition transcript copies iowacertification of a deposition iowa rulereturning exhibits after a deposition iowa