Shelby County Certificate of Trust Form
Last validated April 10, 2026 by our Forms Development Team
Shelby County Certificate of Trust Form
Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Shelby County Certificate of Trust Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Shelby County Completed Example of the Certificate of Trust Document
Example of a properly completed form for reference.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
Immediate Download • Secure Checkout
Additional Iowa and Shelby County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Shelby County Recorder
Harlan, Iowa 51537-0067
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F
Phone: (712) 755-5640
Recording Tips for Shelby County:
- Bring your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
- Documents must be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper
- Check that your notary's commission hasn't expired
- Avoid the last business day of the month when possible
- Recorded documents become public record - avoid including SSNs
Cities and Jurisdictions in Shelby County
Properties in any of these areas use Shelby County forms:
- Defiance
- Earling
- Elk Horn
- Harlan
- Irwin
- Kirkman
- Panama
- Portsmouth
- Westphalia
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Shelby County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Recording fees in Shelby County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (712) 755-5640 for current fees.
Questions answered? Let's get started!
Under Iowa Code 633A.4604, the certification of trust is an official document confirming the terms of a trust as they relate to a specific transaction. Trustees wishing to enter into a transaction in the trust's name may be asked to present a certification of trust to prove the trust's existence and the trustee's authority to enter into the transaction.
A certificate of trust presents the name and date of the trust under which the trustee is acting, as well as the identities of the trust's settlor and trustees. The document provides the name by which the trust will hold title to trust assets, and includes the trust's taxpayer identification number (TIN).
If there is more than one trustee, the certificate identifies who has authority to sign documents relating to the trust and how many co-trustees are required to sign. The document also enumerates the trustee's powers relative to the transaction at hand, and includes the name of any person able to revoke the trust, if applicable. Like other documents affecting real property, the certificate should include the legal description of the subject property.
Finally, the certificate requires statements that the trust has not been revoked, modified, or amended in any manner to cause the representations contained within to be incorrect; that the document is being signed by all acting trustees; and that the certificate is sworn and subscribed to under penalty of perjury before a notary public (Iowa Code 633A.4604(2)).
The statements contained within the certificate may be relied on as if they were fact, but recipients of a certification of trust may request copies of the sections of the trust instrument designating the trustee and conferring the trustee's powers pursuant to Iowa Code 633A.4604(4). A recipient requesting the entire trust document may be liable for damages if a court finds they acted unreasonably in their request (Iowa Code 633A.4604(6)).
Consult a lawyer with questions regarding trust law and certifications of trust, as each situation is unique.
(Iowa Certificate of Trust Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)
Important: Your property must be located in Shelby County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.
This Certificate of Trust meets all recording requirements specific to Shelby County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Shelby 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
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