Des Moines County Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Form
Last validated July 1, 2026 by our Forms Development Team
Des Moines County Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Form
Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Des Moines County Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Des Moines County Completed Example of the Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Document
Example of a properly completed form for reference.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
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Additional Iowa and Des Moines County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Des Moines County Recorder
Burlington, Iowa 52601
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm Mon-Fri
Phone: (319) 753-8221
Recording Tips for Des Moines County:
- Avoid the last business day of the month when possible
- Make copies of your documents before recording - keep originals safe
- Recording fees may differ from what's posted online - verify current rates
Cities and Jurisdictions in Des Moines County
Properties in any of these areas use Des Moines County forms:
- Burlington
- Danville
- Mediapolis
- Middletown
- Sperry
- West Burlington
- Yarmouth
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Des Moines County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Des Moines County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.
Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Des Moines County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Des Moines County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.
Can I reuse these forms?
Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Des Moines County you only need to order once.
What do I need to use these forms?
The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.
Are there any recurring fees?
No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.
How much does it cost to record in Des Moines County?
Recording fees in Des Moines County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (319) 753-8221 for current fees.
Questions answered? Let's get started!
Transferring Title to Iowa Real Estate after a Joint Tenant Dies
Joint tenancy is a form of ownership where two or more people share title rights to a specific parcel of real property. If one joint tenant dies, his/her portion of property rights transfers to the remaining owners by function of law. If there are multiple surviving co-owners, they each receive an equal share of the rights. Property held in joint tenancy does not pass to the owners' estates in a will. Therefore, it avoids distribution via the probate process.
Iowa Code 558.66 (2013) governs the different requirements for completing the transfer of title rights under joint tenancy. Specifically, the living joint tenant may execute and record an affidavit of surviving joint tenant, which the recorder attaches to the previously recorded deed. An affidavit is a document containing statements, made under oath, which identify the person presenting the material (affiant); the name of the surviving co-owner (often the affiant); details about the deceased owner; the legal description of the property being transferred; recording information from the deed granting joint tenancy; and a request to update the records with the county auditor ( 558.66(3)(b)). In addition, many people include an official copy of the deceased owner's death certificate.
Completing this process is an essential step in preserving a clear chain of title to the property, meaning that there is an unbroken history of owners, which reduces the likelihood of unexpected claims of rights to the real estate. A clear chain of title also makes the property easier to sell or mortgage because title agencies will provide the insurance that is usually required as part of the sale. In addition, because grantors (owners) must sign deeds when property is sold or otherwise conveyed, the recorded affidavit serves as evidence proving why one of the named owners cannot sign the transfer.
Real estate held in joint tenancy is often one aspect of an overall estate plan. Good practice dictates frequent updates of items such as wills, trusts, and other associated documents. As such, executing an affidavit of surviving joint tenant soon after a co-owner dies protects the rights and interests of everyone involved by ensuring that the relevant land records contain the most current information.
Each situation is unique, so for complex issues or with additional questions, please contact a local real estate attorney or other estate planning professional.
(Iowa Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)
Important: Your property must be located in Des Moines County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.
This Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant meets all recording requirements specific to Des Moines County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Des Moines County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.
Save Time and Money
Get your Des Moines County Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.
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October 5th, 2025
As good as any of the rip off document services on the internet. Received the documents through download, were as described. Not as cheap as driving to the courthouse and getting them for free, but easier than doing so.
Thank you, Pat. We’re glad the documents were as described and easy to access. Just to clarify — Johnson County doesn’t provide a Transfer on Death Deed form. We make the correct, recordable version available, and any required supplemental forms are free on our site, with or without purchase.