Dickinson County, Iowa: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Iowa District Court for Dickinson County - Small Claims in Spirit Lake. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $6,500. Iowa return time: 30 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $977. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Iowa District Court for Dickinson County - Small Claims |
|---|---|
| City | Spirit Lake |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $6,500 (district court sitting in small claims (Iowa Code ch. 631; actions on or after July 1, 2018) only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 10 years |
| Deposit statute | Iowa Code § 562A.12 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $6,500 (district court sitting in small claims (Iowa Code ch. 631; actions on or after July 1, 2018) only).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days | from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions |
Iowa return rule: 30 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Iowa District Court for Dickinson County - Small Claims. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Dickinson County.
- The Iowa business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Iowa Secretary of State
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Check the Iowa filing procedure before you go.
Service methods: certified mail by clerk; constable or sheriff.
Service fee: If you choose certified mail to serve defendant, you will be charged the $115.00 filing fee and an additional $20.00 for each party you wish to serve by certified mail..
Procedure source (high confidence): Small Claims Includes: Money judgments, replevins, and FED actions that are $6,500 in damages or less $115 § 631.6
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Dickinson County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $639 | $639 | $1,278 | Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $977 | $977 | $1,954 | Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,127 | $1,127 | $2,254 | Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $880 | $880 | $1,760 | Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Dickinson County compare with other Iowa counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $977: rank 10 of 99 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 23.3% of households rent in Dickinson County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Linn County | $981 |
| Scott County | $981 |
| Dickinson County | $977 |
| Black Hawk County | $970 |
| Woodbury County | $969 |
| Wapello County | $967 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 99 of 99 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Dickinson County
- Arnolds Park
- Lake Park
- Milford
- Okoboji
- Orleans
- Spirit Lake
- Superior
- Terril
- Wahpeton
- West Okoboji
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Iowa Legal Aid: free civil legal help for low-income Iowans on housing stability, including eviction, housing assistance, rentals in need of repair, and housing discrimination
- HOME, Inc.: free HUD-certified rental counseling for tenants, including lease terms, maintenance and repair, evictions, and fair housing issues
- Horizons, A Family Service Alliance: HUD-approved rental housing counseling and rental housing workshops
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Dickinson County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Dickinson County?
Iowa District Court for Dickinson County - Small Claims is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.