General verdicts, special verdicts, and answers to interrogatories shall be in writing. When unanimous they shall be signed by the foreman or forewoman chosen by the jury, and when they are not unanimous, they shall be signed by all jurors concurring therein. They shall be sufficient in form if they express the intent of the jury. They shall be filed with the clerk and be entered of record after being put in form by the court if need be.
Rule 1.932.Form and entry of verdicts
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.932 requires that general verdicts, special verdicts, and jury answers to interrogatories be written, signed by the foreperson if unanimous or by all concurring jurors if not, and filed with the clerk once put in proper form.
Full Text of Rule 1.932
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.932 sets the paperwork standard for a jury's decision. General verdicts, special verdicts, and answers to interrogatories all have to be in writing. When the jury is unanimous, the foreman or forewoman the jury chose signs for the group; when it isn't, every concurring juror signs individually, so the record shows exactly who agreed.
The form itself does not have to be elaborate. The rule says these documents are sufficient in form if they express the jury's intent, and if the court needs to put a verdict into proper form before it can be entered, it may do so. Once in shape, the verdict or answers are filed with the clerk and entered of record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a jury verdict have to be written down?
Yes. Rule 1.932 requires general verdicts, special verdicts, and answers to interrogatories to be in writing.
Who signs the verdict if the jury is unanimous?
The foreman or forewoman the jury chose signs a unanimous verdict, under Rule 1.932.
What if the jury's verdict is not unanimous?
Rule 1.932 requires all jurors who concur in a non-unanimous verdict to sign it themselves, rather than having one person sign for the group.
Does a verdict have to follow a precise legal format to be valid?
No. Rule 1.932 says a verdict or answers to interrogatories are sufficient in form if they express the jury's intent, and the court may put it into proper form if needed before entering it.
What happens to the verdict once the jury signs it?
It is filed with the clerk and entered of record, as Rule 1.932 requires, after being put in form by the court if necessary.
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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