The purpose of assessing these fees is to ensure that all debt collectors and creditors/assignees contribute to the cost of enforcing the Iowa Consumer Credit Code (ICCC), and the law stipulates that all fee money collected be put to that use.

The notification fee is $50 for debt collectors and creditor/assignees. Creditor/Assignee volume fee calculation on the notification form remains the same. The 2017 Iowa Legislature increased the notification fee from $10 to $50 effective July 1, 2017.

Debt Collectors and Creditor/Assignees required to file notification with the Iowa Attorney General must do so within 30 days of commencing collection activities in Iowa, and then by January 31 of every subsequent year.

Annual notification must be filed every year by January 31. Notifications received more than 30 days after the due date may be assessed a $75 late fee. Reminders will be sent in December via email.

Notification filing for registered companies begins November 1 for the next year.

If your company changes its main address or if the contact person changes, please send written notification to our office. Email is fine. The notification should include the name of the company, the previous contact information, and the updated, current information.

If a branch location changes or closes, please notify us in writing as well. There is no fee associated with these changes.

Email: registration@ag.iowa.gov

An Iowa Registered Agent is someone on whom the Iowa Attorney General or a private party could serve papers in the event of a lawsuit.

Your company needs an Iowa Registered Agent if the principal office is located outside the state of Iowa. The registered agent must be located in Iowa and not the Iowa Secretary of State. See Iowa Code section 537.6202(1)(f).

Your completed paper notification filing form and payment should be sent to:

Iowa Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Attn: Notification & Fees Administrator
1305 E. Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319

There is an online filing option available for Debt Collectors and Creditor/Assignees.

Checks should be made payable to “Iowa Consumer Credit Administration Fund” and should be mailed with your completed annual notification form. Checks mailed separately should indicate the company’s name and include a copy of your registration form if possible.

Approved notifications will be processed and can be viewed online approximately 20 business days after their receipt. If your notification is rejected, you will be contacted by our staff to remedy any errors. Some users may need to refresh their browser for the most updated version of the document.

No. Filers will not receive a confirmation, notice, or hard copy license. You will be contacted by our office if your filing is rejected. Approved notifications will be processed and available for viewing online approximately 20 business days after their receipt.

All intents to surrender notification must be in writing and mailed to our office. Email is allowed. The letter must include the name of the company and the date the company will cease to participate in consumer credit transactions with Iowa consumers.

Email: registration@ag.iowa.gov

Generally, no, as long as the skip tracer is not attempting to collect the debt.

However, Iowa requires private investigators to obtain a license and bond under Iowa Code chapter 80A. Certain traditional debt collection activities, such as skip-tracing, might require licensing under this statute. Questions about chapter 80A should be directed to legal counsel or the Iowa Department of Public Safety at 515-725-6196.

Yes. Used car dealers must file notification and pay the annual notification fee even if they assign all of their retail installment contracts to a third party financer. You may not need to pay a volume fee.

A creditor/assignee is subject to volume fees if they hold the paper on the consumer credit transaction. Volume fees are based on the average unpaid balance owed.

No. They are two separate fees. The notification fee is always $50 and is required from every creditor/assignee filing notification with our office. Creditors/Assignees who own the paper for consumer credit transactions must pay a volume fee based on the average unpaid balance of all consumer credit transactions.

Volume fees are calculated based on the average monthly balance owed for the previous 12 months of transactions. Calculate the dollar amount owed by Iowa consumers at the end of each of the previous 12 months, total the average balance for each month, and divide by twelve to get the average for the year.

View the administrative rule for more information.