Recognition and enforcement of tribal judgments.
Iowa Code § 626D.5
in effect626D.5. Recognition and enforcement of tribal judgments.
1. Unless objected to pursuant to section 626D.4, a tribal judgment shall be recognized and enforced by the courts of this state to the same extent and with the same effect as any judgment, order, or decree of a court of this state.
2. If no objections are timely filed, the clerk shall issue a certification that no objections were timely filed and the tribal judgment shall be enforceable in the same manner as if issued by a valid court of this state.
3. A tribal judgment shall not be recognized and enforced if the objecting party demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence at least one of the following:
a. The tribal court did not have personal or subject matter jurisdiction.
b. A party was not afforded due process.
4. The court may decline to recognize and enforce a tribal judgment on equitable grounds for any of the following reasons:
a. The tribal judgment was obtained by extrinsic fraud.
b. The tribal judgment conflicts with another filed judgment that is entitled to recognition in this state.
c. The tribal judgment is inconsistent with the parties’ contractual choice of forum provided the contractual choice of forum issue was timely raised in the tribal court.
d. The tribal court does not recognize and enforce judgments of the courts of this state under standards similar to those provided in this chapter.
e. The cause of action or defense upon which the tribal judgment is based is repugnant to the fundamental public policy of the United States or this state.
2007 Acts, ch 192, §8; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §137
Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/626D.5.pdfFetched: 10/20/2026