A commission or letters rogatory to take depositions in a foreign land shall be issued only when convenient or necessary, on application and notice, and on such terms and with such directions as are just and appropriate. They shall specify the officer to take the deposition, by name or descriptive title, and may be addressed: "To the Appropriate Judicial Authority of (country)."
Rule 1.714.Letters rogatory
Division VII: Depositions and Perpetuating Testimony · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.714 authorizes a court to issue letters rogatory for taking a deposition in a foreign country only when convenient or necessary, on application and notice, naming the officer to take it and permitting the request to be addressed to the appropriate judicial authority of that country.
Full Text of Rule 1.714
Plain-English Summary
Letters rogatory ask a foreign country's judicial authorities for help taking a deposition there, and Rule 1.714 controls when Iowa courts may issue them. A court will issue a commission or letters rogatory only when convenient or necessary, on application and notice, and on terms and directions that are just and appropriate to the situation.
The request itself must specify the officer who will take the deposition, either by name or by descriptive title, and Rule 1.714 allows it to be addressed to “the Appropriate Judicial Authority of (country).” This mechanism works alongside the option in Rule 1.713(4) to use a United States consular officer for a foreign deposition — letters rogatory are one available route, not the only one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are letters rogatory used for?
Requesting a foreign country's judicial assistance to take a deposition there, when that assistance is convenient or necessary to obtain the testimony.
When will an Iowa court issue letters rogatory?
Only when convenient or necessary, on application and notice to the other parties, and on terms and directions the court finds just and appropriate.
Does a letters rogatory request have to name a specific person to take the deposition?
Yes. Rule 1.714 requires the request to specify the officer to take the deposition, either by name or by descriptive title.
How is a letters rogatory request addressed?
Rule 1.714 allows it to be addressed to “the Appropriate Judicial Authority” of the relevant country.
Is letters rogatory the only way to take a deposition in a foreign country?
No. Rule 1.713(4) also allows a deposition abroad to be taken before a United States embassy or legation secretary, or a consul, vice-consul, consul-general, or consular agent, as an alternative to proceeding by letters rogatory under Rule 1.714.
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 letters rogatory ruleforeign deposition iowa civil procedurerule 1.714 iowataking a deposition abroad iowa court