# Iowa Code § 537.1203: Jurisdiction — service of process

> Iowa · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1203

## Section

- **Citation:** Iowa Code § 537.1203
- **Heading:** Jurisdiction — service of process
- **Jurisdiction:** Iowa
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** IA Code / Title XIII / Chapter 537 / Section 537.1203

## Text

(1) The district court of this state may exercise jurisdiction over any person with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapter. In addition to any other method provided by rule or by statute, personal jurisdiction over a person may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding instituted in the district court by the service of process in the manner provided by this section.

(2) If a person is not a resident of this state or is a corporation not authorized to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by this chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, the person may designate an agent upon whom service of process or original notice may be made in this state. The agent shall be a resident of state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state. The designation shall be in a writing and filed with the secretary of state. If no designation is made and filed or if process or original notice cannot be served in this state upon the designated agent, process or original notice may be served upon the secretary of state, in the manner provided in section 617.3 for service upon nonresident persons and foreign corporations which have made contracts with residents of Iowa, and the provisions of that section relating to the service of process or original notice apply.

[C75, 77, 79, 81, §537.1203]

## Nearby sections

- [Iowa Code § 537.1101 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1101.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1102 Purposes — rules of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1102.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1103 Law applicable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1103.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1104 Construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1104.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1107 Waiver — agreement — settlement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1107.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1108 Effect on organizations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1108.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1110 Obligation of good faith.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1110.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1201 Territorial application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1201.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1202 Exclusions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1202.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1203 Jurisdiction — service of process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1203.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1301 General definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1301.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1302 Definition Truth in Lending Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1302.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.1303 Other defined terms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1303.md)
- [Iowa Code § 537.2101 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.2101.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXIII_C537_S537.1203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.