Frequently Asked Questions
Complaint
How do I file a complaint against Woodbury County Sheriff's Office Personnel?
You can pick up a complaint form at the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office Monday-Thursday 8am-4:15pm and Friday 8am-3:15pm.
Sheriff Sales
Where can I find a list of properties to be sold?
Per Iowa Code Notices of Sheriff’s Levy & Sale are posted in three public places:
- The Woodbury County Courthouse
- The Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center, and the Trosper Hoyt Building
- In addition, a listing of sales is available on our Sheriff Sales page
Where do the sales take place?
On the first floor of the Woodbury County Courthouse at the time specified on the Notice of Sheriff’s Levy & Sale.
How does bidding start?
Bidding begins at the time and place designated on the Notice of Sheriff’s Levy & Sale. The judgment holder almost always starts the bidding; generally by submitting a sealed, written bid to the Sheriff. The judgment holder’s bid, if given to the Sheriff prior to the sale, will not be disclosed until the sale is called at the specified day and time.
What is the bid based on?
The bidding is usually started by the judgment holder and it may or may not be equal to the full judgment. The bid may also not reflect the condition of the property or its assessed value.
How much do I have to bid?
If the judgment holder submits a bid, you will be required to bid at least $1.00 more than that bid. If there are competing bids, the winning bid will be the highest bid offered by all parties.
Can I enter the residence I plan to purchase?
No.
If I purchase property at a Sheriff’s Sale, do I get clear title?
Clear title is not guaranteed. You should consult with an attorney to address specific title issues involved in property sales conducted by the Sheriff’s Office.
Do I have to pay the full amount of my bid the day I purchase?
Yes.
How do I pay for a purchase at a Sheriff’s Sale?
Bidders are encouraged to provide a letter of credit from their bank at the time of sale. The successful bidder will have until noon the day of sale to present to the sheriff a cashier’s or certified check in the amount of their bid.
What happens if I am the highest bidder and change my mind about buying the property?
Pursuant to the Code of Iowa, 626.85, the judgment holder may proceed against you for the amount of your bid. You should contact an attorney to address specific questions regarding your liability as a bidder.
Does the Sheriff have keys to the residence?
No.
Does the Sheriff have the abstract to the property?
No.
What does redemption period mean?
If the sale notice indicates there is a redemption period, it is the amount of time the defendant has the right to redeem the real estate after the sale. If the defendant redeems the property within the specified time period they must do so at the Woodbury County Clerk of Court’s Office. If you are considering purchasing property with a redemption period you should contact an attorney to address specific questions regarding how the redemption period affects you.
If I purchase and there is a redemption period, can I enter the property before the redemption period is up?
You should contact an attorney to address this issue.
If I purchase and there is a redemption period, when do I get a Sheriff’s Deed?
If you purchase property with a redemption period, you will be issued a Certificate of Purchase at the time of sale. When the redemption period has expired, you may then return the original Certificate of Purchase to the Sheriff, along with $50.00, and you will then receive a Sheriff’s Deed. It is very important you do not lose the original Certificate of Purchase. If you lose it, you will not receive a Sheriff’s Deed until you get a court order directing the Sheriff to issue you a duplicate Certificate of Purchase. (626.96) This duplicate will be issued following the payment of a $50.00 issue fee.
When I get a Sheriff’s Deed, what do I do next?
You should contact an attorney for specific questions regarding a Sheriff’s Deed.
If I get a Sheriff’s Deed and there are people living there, how do I get them out? Do I have to go through the eviction process?
You should contact an attorney to address specific questions regarding the occupancy of the subject real estate.
Weapon Permits
How do I apply for a new, renewal, or duplicate Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons?
Under Iowa law, the Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons is issued to residents of Iowa by the Sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence. Several Iowa Sheriff’s Office are using an online version of the application form. An applicant should check with the Sheriff’s Office of the applicant’s county of residence to obtain details about the application procedure, including hours of operation, office location, and forms of payment accepted.
Is it legal for me to allow my minor children to target practice with my handgun?
For many years, the minimum age for supervised possession of a handgun by a minor had been 14. More recent law eliminates the minimum age provision, and explicitly states that the required supervision must be direct supervision, and the person who is supervising possession of a handgun by a minor must not be intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs. Please note that ranges may have age requirements for use of their respective facilities.
I choose to wear a protective mask when in public, and I also have a permit to carry weapons. Is it legal to wear facial covering while expressing my right to legally carry a firearm?
Iowa code does not place any type of clothing restrictions on a permit holder in a public place. Please keep in mind that Iowa cannot speak for surrounding states, nor do we retain data associated with this.
I lost my permit, or my permit was damaged beyond recognition. Can I obtain a duplicate of a current permit?
Yes. A person who wishes to obtain a duplicate permit can do so by contacting the Sheriff’s Office in their county of residence and paying a fee set by law at $25.
I have moved since my permit was issued, or I will be moving soon. Do I need to obtain a permit showing my new address?
Iowa DPS recommends that a permit holder notify the Sheriff’s Office in their new county of residence by applying for a duplicate permit when moving between counties. While there is no statutory requirement to obtain a “duplicate” permit when you change counties, you may want to note that when attempting to purchase a firearm, there are federal firearms licensed dealers that may not accept the permit unless it matches the county listed on your Driver’s License or State I.D.
I live in another state. Can I get an Iowa Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons?
No. Iowa nonprofessional permits to carry weapons will only be issued to qualified Iowa residents. Nonresidents will still be able to apply for professional permits to carry weapons if needed for employment related reasons.
Does my permit to carry weapons enable me to make a purchase of a pistol or revolver, or do I need to obtain a Permit to Acquire Pistols or Revolvers?
In the State of Iowa, a valid permit to carry weapons may be used to acquire a pistol or revolver without the need to also obtain a Permit to Acquire Pistols and Revolvers.
I have a Permit to Carry Weapons that will be expiring soon. What do I need to do to renew the permit?
Effective July 1, 2017, there is a 60 day renewal window. A person wishing to renew a Permit to Carry Weapons must apply within 30 days before the permit expires, or within 30 days after the permit expires. Any permits falling outside of the previously mentioned window must be charged the higher “new” permit fee. Please note that while a permit can be renewed within 30 days after it expires, a person whose permit has expired should not go armed in a fashion that requires a permit until a person has renewed their permit.
Is it possible to take online training to meet the legal training requirement needed obtain a permit to carry in Iowa?
Iowa allows for training courses to be taken online. Iowa Code 724.9 regulates the requirements for “training.” Prior to paying and taking the course, the Iowa DPS would suggest ensuring that the course you are taking, provides you with a certificate that fits the requirements under the 724.9. The Iowa Department of Public Safety does not have the ability to suggest one course over another, nor do we have the authority to maintain a list of qualified instructors.
Do I need to complete another training course to renew my Permit to Carry Weapons?
No. A person who holds (or held) a permit issued on or after January 1, 2011, is not required to complete another training course to renew or obtain a new permit to carry weapons. Please note that even though re‐training is not required, completing another training course or taking other steps to learn about law changes could be highly beneficial to a person who intends to go armed.
I’d like to give my family member my handgun, or bequeath them my handgun when I die. Do they need a Permit to Acquire Pistols and Revolvers?
A permit to acquire is not required IF, the person transferring the pistol or revolver and the person acquiring the pistol or revolver are related to one another within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, UNLESS the person transferring the pistol or revolver knows that the person acquiring the pistol or revolver would be disqualified from obtaining a permit.
I am traveling through the State of Iowa, have a valid permit issued through a different state, and I’m not a resident of the State of Iowa. Will Iowa honor my permit?
Iowa has by statute (724.11A), “Universal Recognition” for people who are not residents of the State of Iowa, but have a valid permit issued to them through a different state. A person that benefits from this code section would be treated as though they have a valid permit issued by the State of Iowa (for carry purposes).
I am traveling to a different state, does that state have reciprocity with Iowa?
Iowa does not maintain a list of states that honor Iowa’s permit. A permit holder would have to reach out directly to the State that they are travelling through to establish whether or not the said state would honor a valid permit issued by the State of Iowa.
How do I check the status of my weapon permit?
The Iowa Department of Public Safety acts a secure gateway for the printing of uniform weapons permits for the 99 Sheriff’s Office in the State of Iowa. At present, once the permit is uploaded securely to the print contractor, the permit is printed and mailed that day, or the following business day. If you have further questions associated to the status of your weapons permit application you will need to direct your inquiry to the agency where you applied.
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