Iowa Bail Bond Calculator

Enter the bail amount to compare what posting it costs in Iowa: cash with the court, a bond through a licensed bail agent, or a percentage deposit with the court where Iowa law offers one. It runs in your browser and nothing is stored.

Enter the bail amount to compare the ways to post it.

Bail bond agents in Iowa

Authorized insurance companies may act as surety on bail bonds. (Iowa Code § 811.3(1)(a))

1. a. Insurance companies doing business in this state under the provisions of section 515.48, subsection 2, may act as surety.

Percentage deposit with the court in Iowa

A magistrate may require an appearance bond with a cash deposit of up to 10 percent of the bond with the clerk, returned to the depositor when the required appearances are made. (Iowa Code § 811.2(1)(a)(3))

(3) Require the execution of an appearance bond in a specified amount and the deposit with the clerk of the district court or a public officer designated under section 602.1211, subsection 4, in cash or other qualified security, of a sum not to exceed ten percent of the amount of the bond, the deposit to be returned to the person who deposited the specified amount with the clerk upon the performance of the appearances as required in section 811.6.

Cash bail in Iowa

Bailable defendants are released on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond unless the magistrate finds that will not do. (Iowa Code § 811.2(1)(a))

a. All bailable defendants shall be ordered released from custody pending judgment or entry of deferred judgment on their personal recognizance, or upon the execution of an unsecured appearance bond in an amount specified by the magistrate

How bail is set in Iowa

All defendants are bailable before and after conviction, by surety or on conditions or recognizance, except listed categories. (Iowa Code § 811.1(2))

2. All defendants are bailable both before and after conviction, by sufficient surety, or subject to release upon condition or on their own recognizance, except that the following defendants shall not be admitted to bail:

If a court date is missed in Iowa

If the defendant fails to appear when required, the failure is entered of record and the bail undertaking or the money deposited is forfeited. (Iowa Code § 811.6(1))

If the defendant fails to appear at the time and place when the defendant's personal appearance is lawfully required, or to surrender in execution of the judgment, the court must direct an entry of the failure to be made of record, and the undertaking of the defendant's bail, or the money deposited, is thereupon forfeited.

For the rest of what can follow a missed date, see missed court in Iowa.

What this page does not do

  • It does not set or predict bail; the judge or the bail schedule does.
  • It does not quote any bail agent; collateral and extra fees depend on the agreement you sign.
  • It collects nothing; your entries stay in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bail bond cost in Iowa?

We found no Iowa statute that sets the premium rate. Ask the agent for the rate they charge and check it with the state regulator.

Can you pay a percentage of bail to the court in Iowa?

A magistrate may require an appearance bond with a cash deposit of up to 10 percent of the bond with the clerk, returned to the depositor when the required appearances are made. (Iowa Code § 811.2(1)(a)(3)).

Sources

Checked against the sources above on October 20, 2026.

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