1.931(1) Number. Before a general verdict, special verdicts, or answers to interrogatories are returned, the parties may stipulate that the finding may be rendered by a stated majority of the jurors. In the absence of such stipulation, a general verdict, special verdicts, or answers to interrogatories must be rendered unanimously. However, a general verdict, special verdict, or answers to interrogatories may be rendered by all jurors excepting one of the jurors if the jurors have deliberated for a period of not less than six hours after the issues to be decided have been submitted to them.
Rule 1.931.Rendering verdict and answering interrogatories
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.931 sets how many jurors must agree on a verdict absent a stipulation for a stated majority — unanimity, or all but one after at least six hours of deliberation — and describes the procedure for returning, polling, and sealing a verdict.
Full Text of Rule 1.931
(2) Return; poll. The jury agreeing on a general verdict, special verdicts, or answers to interrogatories shall bring the finding into court where it shall be read to the jury and inquiry made if it is the jury's finding. A party may then require a poll, whereupon the court or clerk shall ask each juror if it is the juror's finding. If the required number of jurors does not express agreement, the jury shall be sent out for further deliberation; otherwise, the finding is complete and, unless otherwise provided by law, the jury shall be discharged.
(3) Sealed. When, by consent of the parties and the court, the jury has been permitted to seal its finding and separates before it is rendered, such sealing is equivalent to a rendition and a recording thereof in open court, and such jury shall not be polled or permitted to disagree with respect thereto.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.931(1) governs how many jurors must agree before a verdict counts. The parties may stipulate before the verdict comes in that a stated majority of jurors can render the finding. Without such a stipulation, the default is unanimity — but the rule carves out a middle ground: a verdict may be rendered by all jurors except one, once the jury has deliberated for no less than six hours after the issues were submitted to it.
Rule 1.931(2) covers what happens once the jury agrees. The jury brings its finding into court, where it is read aloud and the jury is asked whether it is their finding. Any party may then demand a poll, in which the court or clerk asks each juror individually. If the required number of jurors does not confirm agreement on the poll, the jury goes back for more deliberation; otherwise the finding is complete and the jury is discharged, unless the law provides otherwise.
Rule 1.931(3) addresses a less common scenario: with the consent of the parties and the court, a jury may seal its finding and separate before rendering it. That sealing counts as if the verdict had already been rendered and recorded in open court, and once sealed, the jury cannot be polled or allowed to disagree about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a jury verdict have to be unanimous in Iowa?
By default, yes, unless the parties stipulate to a stated majority before the verdict is returned. Rule 1.931(1) also allows a verdict by all jurors but one once the jury has deliberated at least six hours after the issues were submitted.
How long must the jury deliberate before a non-unanimous verdict is allowed?
At least six hours after the issues to be decided were submitted to the jury, per Rule 1.931(1), and even then the verdict may be rendered by all jurors except one, not by any lesser number.
Can a party ask that each juror be individually asked about the verdict?
Yes. Rule 1.931(2) allows any party to require a poll, in which the court or clerk asks each juror individually whether the announced finding is that juror's own.
What happens if the poll shows the required number of jurors do not agree?
Rule 1.931(2) sends the jury back for further deliberation in that situation, rather than accepting an incomplete finding.
What does it mean for a jury to "seal" its verdict?
Rule 1.931(3) allows the jury, with the parties' and the court's consent, to seal its finding and separate before rendering it. That sealed verdict is treated as already rendered and recorded, and the jury cannot then be polled or permitted to disagree with 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
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