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Woodbury County, IA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Woodbury County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Iowa District Court for Woodbury County |
| Filing office | Woodbury County clerk of the district court |
| Courthouse address | Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Room 101, Sioux City, IA 51101 |
| Mailing address | Use the published courthouse address. No separate mailing address is published for the clerk. |
| Phone | Probate line: 712-279-6614. General clerk line: 712-279-6611. |
| Fax | 712-279-6021 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Woodbury County publishes courthouse building hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on holidays. The clerk does not separately publish counter hours, so call 712-279-6611 before making a trip. |
| Filing fee | Iowa uses the statewide court cost formula, 0.2% of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus statutory flat items under Iowa Code 633.31. Ask the clerk what will be collected in your estate. |
| Local forms | Woodbury County publishes no decedent-estate probate form packet, cover sheet or checklist. |
| E-filing | EDMS is required for attorneys and self-represented filers, with exceptions available for good cause under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302. |
| Case search | Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket search with no registration. The docket is an index of filings and proceedings. Public documents are read at a courthouse terminal in the county where the case was filed. |
| Remote appearance | Iowa proceedings are presumed in person. A remote appearance requires a motion decided case by case under Iowa Ct. R. 15.302. |
| Website | https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-3/district/3/county/woodbury |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Woodbury County, make a practical inventory of the accounts, debts, real estate, vehicles, policies and beneficiary designations. In Iowa, the assets in the report and inventory drive the court cost under Iowa Code 633.31, and the route you choose depends on what the estate actually contains.
For a Sioux City area family, also confirm which side of the state line each asset is on. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions, helping families begin estate settlement with a clearer list before they contact the clerk or an attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Woodbury County is filed with the Woodbury County clerk of the district court in Room 101 of the Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Sioux City. The case is in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, which sits in Iowa's Third Judicial District.
Woodbury County includes Anthon, Bronson, Correctionville, Cushing, Danbury, Hornick, Lawton, Moville, Oto, Pierson, Salix, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City, Sloan and Smithland. Wherever in Woodbury County the decedent lived, the filing counter is the Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City.
Iowa's venue rule puts the estate of a person who was a Woodbury County resident at death in the Woodbury County district court. For a nonresident, Woodbury County is the right Iowa venue when the person left property in the county (Iowa Code 633.12). South Sioux City is in Nebraska, and North Sioux City is in South Dakota, so those addresses alone do not create an Iowa filing.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate and the original will, if there is one. Anyone holding the will must deliver it to the court after learning of the death (Iowa Code 633.285).
- Decide the route before filing. Some estates use the affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356, some use chapter 635, some use probate of a will without administration under Iowa Code 633.305, and some need full chapter 633 administration.
- Register for EDMS, or file a written request with the Woodbury County clerk of the district court asking to be excused from electronic filing for good cause (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302).
- E-file the petition with the Woodbury County clerk of the district court. If an exception has been granted, take the papers to Room 101 of the Woodbury County Courthouse at 620 Douglas Street in Sioux City while the clerk's office is open.
- Scan and e-file the original will. After e-filing, the paper original may be given to the clerk for nonelectronic preservation (Iowa Ct. R. 16.411).
- After the personal representative qualifies, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration in a chapter 633 estate, or letters of appointment in a chapter 635 estate (Iowa Code 633.178; Iowa Code 635.1).
- Publish notice once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Woodbury County, and mail the required notices to known creditors, the surviving spouse, heirs and devisees as applicable (Iowa Code 633.230; Iowa Code 633.304).
- File the report and inventory with the clerk within 120 days after qualification unless the court allows more time (Iowa Code 633.361).
- Pay court costs under the statewide formula in Iowa Code 633.31. In the Third Judicial District, an allowance to a referee in probate may also be taxed as a cost of the estate.
- Handle claims filed with the clerk. The claims bar is the later of four months after the second publication or, for a reasonably ascertainable creditor, one month after notice was mailed to that creditor (Iowa Code 633.410).
- Distribute the estate and close it. A chapter 635 estate closes by closing statement and clerk discharge under Iowa Code 635.8. A chapter 633 estate closes through a final report and a court order approving the report and discharging the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Woodbury County
Woodbury County does not publish a local decedent-estate probate form packet, cover sheet or checklist. The Third Judicial District publishes a probate fee and appointment order, but not a fill-in form set for opening or closing an estate.
The Iowa Judicial Branch's free interactive court-form program does not cover decedent-estate probate. A self-represented filer generally drafts the petition, report and inventory, notices and closing documents from the Iowa statutes, or works with a lawyer.
Fees
Woodbury County does not set its own probate filing charge. Iowa court costs for probate come from Iowa Code 633.31, and the clerk can tell you what will be collected in a particular estate.
There is one Woodbury County layer to ask about. The Third Judicial District has a standing order, approved in March 2018, appointing the clerk of court in each county of the district as referee in probate unless a judge appoints someone else. Under Iowa Code 633.20, Iowa Code 633.21 and Iowa Ct. R. 7.5, an allowance to a referee in probate may be taxed by the clerk as an additional estate cost. Ask the Woodbury County clerk what applies in your case.
There is no additional charge for filing electronically in the Iowa court system. If you cannot afford court costs, the Application to Defer Costs is filed with the clerk and decided by a judge.
Local nuance
Woodbury County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two court locations | Probate is a civil matter and stays at the Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Room 101. Criminal court functions use the Law Enforcement Center on 28th Street. |
| Published probate line | The clerk's published probate line is 712-279-6614. Use 712-279-6611 as the general clerk line if the probate line does not answer. |
| No separate probate-only calendar | Woodbury County probate matters sit within the civil, domestic and probate rotation. The clerk is the practical place to ask how a particular matter is set. |
| Third Judicial District offices | The district's offices are housed at the Woodbury County Courthouse, but that does not make Sioux City the filing counter for estates from other counties in the district. |
| Referee in probate | The Third Judicial District's standing order appoints the clerk of court in each county as referee in probate unless a judge appoints someone else, and an allowance may be taxed as an estate cost. |
| Building hours versus counter hours | Woodbury County publishes courthouse building hours. The clerk's separate counter hours are not published, so call before traveling for a paper filing or courthouse terminal access. |
Recent updates
| Change | What it means for Woodbury County families |
|---|---|
| Woodbury County court locations split in the 2025 court schedule | Civil matters, including probate, remain at the Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Room 101. Criminal matters are listed at the Law Enforcement Center on 28th Street. |
| Iowa affidavit rule changed effective July 1, 2026 | The affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356 now uses the updated statewide rule. Use the state page or an attorney to check whether that no-court route fits. |
| Iowa report and inventory deadline changed effective July 1, 2026 | The report and inventory deadline is 120 days after qualification unless the court allows more time (Iowa Code 633.361). |
| Iowa inheritance tax ended for new deaths | Iowa imposes no inheritance tax for a death on or after January 1, 2025 (Iowa Code 450.98). |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Woodbury County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the deed and account titles. Joint tenancy property passes outside the estate and is excluded from the Iowa Code 633.31 court-cost base. If a court case is needed, it is filed through EDMS with the Woodbury County clerk of the district court in Sioux City. | Sunset traces accounts, policies and debts so the spouse can separate estate assets from property that passes outside probate during estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | EDMS filing and Iowa Courts Online can reduce the need to travel to Sioux City. If the estate involves no Iowa court case, the no-court affidavit route may be considered under Iowa Code 633.356. If a personal representative is needed and the child lives outside Iowa, the nonresident qualification issue should be handled with legal advice. | Sunset builds the asset list and helps assemble the packet remotely, so the child is not driving to Sioux City just to find out what the estate contains. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale generally requires a court case and letters before the property can be transferred or sold. File in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County at the courthouse in Sioux City, and ask the clerk about the Iowa Code 633.31 court cost and any referee in probate allowance. | Sunset helps find mortgages, liens, accounts and debts before the sale is priced and before the report and inventory is filed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Woodbury County clerk of the district court | Takes Woodbury County probate filings, issues letters and answers procedural questions. Clerk staff cannot choose the case type, draft papers or give legal advice. | Probate line 712-279-6614. General line 712-279-6611. Room 101, Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Sioux City. |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Free civil legal help for income-eligible Iowans, subject to eligibility and case-type priorities. | 1-800-532-1275 on weekdays. |
| Iowa Free Legal Answers | Virtual clinic where an income-eligible Iowan can post a civil legal question for a volunteer Iowa attorney. | https://iowa.freelegalanswers.org |
| Iowa Find-A-Lawyer | Iowa State Bar Association directory searchable by practice area, county and city, with a reduced-fee initial consultation from participating lawyers. | https://www.iowabar.org |
| Application to Defer Costs | Written request to postpone court costs for a person who cannot afford them, filed with the clerk and decided by a judge. | https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees/ |
| Third Judicial District ADA coordinator | Handles disability accommodation requests for Woodbury County court proceedings. | 712-279-6608 |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, debts and real estate before papers are filed. That matters in Woodbury County because the Iowa court cost is tied to the probate assets listed in the report and inventory.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the petition, notices, inventory and closing materials, so estate settlement starts from a complete set of facts instead of scattered paperwork.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Woodbury County estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Iowa probate attorney who understands EDMS filing, Iowa notice rules and the Sioux City courthouse.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand the next step and decide whether attorney help is needed without paying Sunset for access.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Woodbury County?
File with the Woodbury County clerk of the district court in Room 101 of the Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Sioux City. The case is in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, and filings are made through EDMS unless the court grants an exception under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302.
Which Sioux City building handles probate?
Use the Woodbury County Courthouse at 620 Douglas Street. Probate is treated with civil matters at the courthouse. The Law Enforcement Center on 28th Street is not where an estate is filed.
Is there a phone number for probate questions in Woodbury County?
Yes. The clerk's published probate line is 712-279-6614, and the general clerk line is 712-279-6611. Clerk staff can answer procedural questions, but they cannot give legal advice or prepare your papers.
Do I have to use EDMS for a Woodbury County probate case?
Yes, unless the court excuses you. Iowa requires EDMS filing for self-represented filers as well as attorneys, with good-cause exceptions handled under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302. If you are excused, the paper filing goes to the clerk's counter while the office is open.
What does it cost to open probate in Woodbury County?
There is no flat Woodbury County opening price. Iowa uses the statewide 0.2% court cost formula for probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus statutory flat items under Iowa Code 633.31. In the Third Judicial District, a referee in probate allowance may also be taxed as an estate cost. There is no extra charge for filing electronically.
Does Woodbury County have its own probate forms?
No. Woodbury County does not publish a decedent-estate probate form packet, cover sheet or checklist. The state interactive forms program also does not cover decedent-estate probate, so many families work with a lawyer to draft the petition, notices, report and inventory and closing papers.
When is the Woodbury County clerk's office open?
Woodbury County publishes courthouse building hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on holidays. The clerk's counter hours are not separately published, so call 712-279-6611 before making a trip.
Will there be a hearing in a Woodbury County probate case, and can I attend remotely?
Most Iowa probate is handled on the papers filed with the clerk. A hearing is held if someone objects, if a contested matter arises or if the court orders one. Iowa proceedings are presumed in person, and a remote appearance requires a motion decided case by case under Iowa Ct. R. 15.302.
Can I look up a Woodbury County probate case online?
Yes. Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket search with no registration. The docket is an index of filings and proceedings. Public documents are read on a terminal at the Woodbury County Courthouse.
Do I have to travel to Sioux City to settle an estate here?
Often, no. EDMS registration and filing are online under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302, and the docket is searchable from anywhere. Reasons to come to Sioux City include a paper filing after an exception, reading documents on the courthouse terminal, or attending a hearing the court sets.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.