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Orders and Guidance Related to COVID-19 Outbreak

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

Court Notices

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@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 July 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.