Iowa UPL Statute Summary

Iowa Court Rule 37. Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law

37.1(1) There is created a commission for the abatement of the unauthorized practice of law, which is known as the Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law (commission). This commission comprises seven lawyer members and two nonlawyer members, all of whom are appointed by the supreme court. The supreme court may accept nominations for appointment to the commission from any association of lawyers that maintains an office within the State of Iowa or any lawyer licensed in Iowa. The court will designate annually one lawyer commission member to be the chair. Members may serve no more than three three-year terms, and a member who has served three full terms is not eligible for reappointment. The commission’s purpose is to receive complaints and make investigations with respect to the alleged unauthorized practice of law within this state.

37.2(1) If the commission has reasonable cause to believe that any person who has not been admitted to practice law within this state is engaging in the practice of law or holding out to the public that the person is qualified to provide services constituting the practice of law in this state, the commission may file a verified complaint with the clerk of the district court in any county in which the unauthorized practice is alleged to have occurred.

Enforcement Mechanisms/Complaint Processes for UPIL

Victims may contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. You may download or fill out an online form here.

Liability may be found under Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, accessible here.

Reporting Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Ineffective assistance of counsel information can be found here.

Contact Information for Relevant Agencies

Secretary of State:

Secretary of State
Notary Division
First Floor, Lucas Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: (515) 281-5204
TTY: Call 711 followed by (515) 281-5204
Fax: (515) 242-5953
Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov

Iowa Attorney General:

Office of the Attorney General of Iowa
Consumer Protection Division
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines IA 50319-0106
Tel: (515) 281-5926
Toll Free: 1-888-777-4590
Fax: (515) 281-6771
Email: consumer@ag.iowa.gov

Becoming a Notary Public

To be a notary a person a person must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
  • Not be disqualified to be a notary under Iowa Code section 9B.23;
  • Be a resident of the state of Iowa or a resident of a state bordering Iowa if their place of work or business is in Iowa.
  • Be able to read and write English; and
  • File an application, submit an Oath of Office, and a $30.00 filing fee with the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State has an online tool to search for current notary public commissions. The tool can be accessed here.