How to ask the court for custody or visitation

If you and the child’s other parent are divorcing

• If you and your child’s other parent are divorcing, the court will decide child custody as part of the divorce case.
• The Iowa Judicial Branch website has a detailed Guide to Representing Yourself in an Iowa Divorce Case with Children.
  • This guide can be found on the Iowa Judicial Branch’s Court Forms page in the folder “Divorce with Children.” The folder also has forms for divorce cases that involves children.

If you and the child’s other parent are not divorcing

• If you and the child’s other parent are not currently involved in a divorce, the Iowa Judicial Branch has a detailed Guide to Representing Yourself in a Child Custody and Visitation Case (Parents not Married).
  • This guide is available on the Judicial Branch’s Court Forms page in the folder “Custody (Parents not Married).” The folder also has forms for child custody and visitation cases.

Court-Approved Training Course

• In cases involving custody or visitation, parents must attend a court-approved course meant to educate parents about the issues children face in custody and visitation situations. Iowa Code section 598.15.