Iowa e-signature and notarization law

Iowa's electronic signature law: the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Iowa Code ch. 554D, from § 554D.101). Electronic signatures are also valid under the federal ESIGN Act for most transactions. Some documents are excluded, such as wills, divorce and adoption documents, court orders and certain official notices.

The fuller federal list is in our guide to e-signing in the United States.

What Iowa's e-signature law does not cover

Iowa Code § 554D.104 says chapter 554D does not apply to a transaction to the extent it is governed by:

• A law governing the creation or execution of wills, codicils or testamentary trusts.
• Chapter 554, Iowa's Uniform Commercial Code, other than articles 2 and 13 and section 554.1306.

Iowa's wording reaches the creation or the execution of a will, codicil or testamentary trust, so either step is outside the chapter.

Remote online notarization in Iowa

Remote online notarization: allowed in Iowa since July 1, 2020.

Iowa Code § 9B.14A says a notary public located in Iowa may perform a notarial act using communication technology for a remotely located individual. A remotely located individual is one who is not in the physical presence of the notary performing the act.

Iowa's requirement is a notice, not a separately named registration: the notary tells the Secretary of State before acting this way and identifies the technologies the notary intends to use.

Section 9B.14A was created by 2019 Iowa Acts chapter 44, section 6, and that Act took effect July 1, 2020. It was later amended by 2023 Iowa Acts chapter 133.

SignAndGo doesn't notarize documents. A commissioned notary does that, using a remote notarization platform where the state allows it.

Where to read Iowa's law

• Electronic signatures: Iowa Code ch. 554D, from § 554D.101, exclusions at § 554D.104.
• Remote notarization: Iowa Code § 9B.14A, in chapter 9B.

Checked against Iowa's published law on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.