Foreign Judgments

A copy of a foreign judgment authenticated in accordance with an Act of Congress or the statutes of the state may be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court of a county of this state which would have venue if the original action was being commenced in the state. The clerk shall treat the foreign judgment in the same manner as a judgment of the district court of this state. A judgment so filed has the same effect and is subject to the same procedures, defenses and proceedings for reopening, vacating, or staying as a judgment of the district court of the state and may be enforced or satisfied in like manner. (I.C.A. § 626A.2)

Under this Act, a foreign judgment against an Iowa resident may be enforced in the State of Iowa and given full faith and credit (even if the judgment is obtained by default). See Edward Rose Building Co. v. Cascade Lumber Co., 621 N.W.2d 193 (Iowa 2001).