The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa continues to closely monitor the national and local responses to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with respect to public health concerns. We will follow guidance provided by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State of Iowa.

Court Orders

• Administrative Order 20-AO-16-P with respect to COVID-19 mask requirements, dated July 21, 2020
• General Order 2020-04 Adopting Amendments to Interim Bankruptcy Rule 1020 to Implement the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
• Administrative Order 2020-3 Order Regarding COVID-19 Temporarily Suspending Original Signature Requirements, dated April 9, 2020
• Administrative Order 2020-2 Order Regarding COVID-19 Procedures for Paper Filings and Payments, dated April 1, 2020

Court Notices

• Effective July 21, 2020, appropriate face masks must be worn at all times in the common areas of the United States Courthouses in Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Davenport, including the Des Moines Annex. The common areas include all areas available to the public, including courtrooms. While in the courtrooms, the presiding judge shall have the ability to modify the mask requirement to suit the needs for appropriate communication.
• The Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules has approved conforming one-year technical changes to five bankruptcy forms (Official Forms 101, 122A-1, 122B, 122C-1, and 201) in light of CARES Act amendments to the Bankruptcy Code. The Official Forms are posted at: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. The Committee Notes to the Official Forms explain the significant changes to these forms.
• Information Regarding the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act)
• Notice from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa Regarding Court Operations During the Covid-19 Outbreak March 17, 2020

Court Hearings

Unless the Court informs you otherwise, all hearings will be conducted as scheduled. Telephone and video conferencing may be more widely used to accommodate appearances. Counsel should file a motion requesting a continuance if additional precautions or circumstances warrant such action.

Clerk’s Office

At this time the Clerk’s Office is open to the public, however, it is strongly recommended that filers contact the Clerk’s Office by phone at (515) 284-6230, for assistance, such as alternative methods for filing documents and making payments. 

• Most inquiries and requests for documents can be handled over the phone, and copies will be mailed to the requestor.
• All documents filed with the Clerk’s Office should include the contact’s e-mail and phone number.
• Self-represented (pro se) debtors are encouraged to file documents and make installment payments by mail. Filing fees may be paid by a cashiers’ check or money order ONLY.  The Clerk’s Office will NOT accept cash payments until further notice. Please include the docket number for anything filed in an existing case.
• Effective immediately, all paper filings and payments brought to the courthouse must be placed in a locked drop box located near the Court Security Screening station at the entrance of the Des Moines courthouse annex. Please include the docket number for anything filed in an existing case.
• The Clerk’s Office will be staffed, the drop box will be closely monitored, and documents and payments will be promptly processed. Confirmation of filing or receipt of funds will be sent by mail.
• Alternatively, and until further notice, pro se individuals may file a bankruptcy petition or other documents in a pending case, by transmitting the petition or documents in PDF format to the Clerk by e-mail at Bankruptcy_Court_Support@iasb.uscourts.gov. The text of the email should include the filer’s e-mail, phone number and address.
• Faxed documents will also be accepted at (515) 284-6303.  The fax should include a cover sheet with the filer’s name, phone number and address.
• Forms and instructions for filing are available outside the Clerk’s Office and on the court’s website.
• Creditors are encouraged to file proofs of claim and amended claims online using ePOC.

Meeting of Creditors

The Meeting of Creditors dates originally postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak have been rescheduled and renoticed. The Notice of Bankruptcy Case (also known as Notice of Meeting of Creditors) will direct parties to attend creditors meetings by telephone. The U.S. Trustee Program is extending the requirement that section 341 meetings be conducted only through telephonic or other alternative means not requiring in-person appearance to all cases filed through October 10, 2020. The conference call in information is provided to parties in Section 7 of the Notice of Bankruptcy Case.

Administrative Orders and information relating to operating procedures for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa are located here.