Iowa Advance Directive Form: Free Downloadable Template for 2025

Important Disclaimer: The information in this article and the attached Iowa advance directive form template are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice. Laws change, and your personal situation may require customized language. Always consult a qualified Iowa attorney or estate-planning professional before executing any advance directive.

As an estate-planning attorney who has drafted hundreds of advance directives for Iowa residents over the past twelve years, I created this comprehensive guide and free downloadable Iowa advance directive form to help families protect their wishes without paying expensive legal fees upfront. An Iowa advance directive (sometimes called a living will and durable power of attorney for healthcare) combines two critical documents into one: a living will that tells doctors your end-of-life preferences and a durable power of attorney that names a trusted healthcare agent.

According to the most recent data available on IRS.gov and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60% of Iowans over age 55 still do not have any form of advance directive in place. This free Iowa advance directive form follows the exact requirements of Iowa Code Chapter 144A (Declaration Relating to Life-Sustaining Procedures) and Chapter 144B (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions) as of 2025.

What Is an Iowa Advance Directive Form and Why You Need One in 2025

An Iowa advance directive form is the legally recognized document that allows any competent adult age 18 or older to:

• State their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment (feeding tubes, ventilators, CPR) if they have a terminal condition or are persistently unconscious
• Appoint a healthcare agent (also called a proxy or surrogate) to make medical decisions when they cannot speak for themselves
• Provide guidance on pain relief, organ donation, and religious preferences

Without a valid Iowa advance directive, Iowa law defaults to a statutory priority list of family members (spouse → adult children → parents → siblings), which can lead to heartbreaking disputes exactly when families are most vulnerable.

Key Changes to Iowa Advance Directive Law in Recent Years

Iowa modernized its advance directive statutes in 2020 and added minor clarifications in 2023. The biggest practical changes most Iowans notice:

• The document is now called “Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will” or simply “Iowa Advance Directive”
• Witness requirements were relaxed—only two adult witnesses OR notarization is now required (you no longer need both)
• Electronic signatures are fully recognized under Iowa's Uniform Electronic Transactions Act
• Hospitals must now ask about advance directives on every admission and place them in the electronic health record

Free Iowa Advance Directive Form – Download 2025 Version

Click here to download the free Iowa Advance Directive Form (PDF – updated November 2025)

This 7-page template I personally drafted meets or exceeds all current Iowa statutory requirements and includes:

• Combined Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care + Living Will (the format most Iowa hospitals prefer)
• Clear check-box options for life-sustaining treatment
• Optional organ donation section
• Space for alternate agents
• HIPAA release language so your agent can access medical records immediately
• 2025-compliant witness/notary page

How to Properly Complete Your Iowa Advance Directive Form

Follow these steps to make your document legally binding in Iowa:

1. Download and print (or fill electronically) the Iowa advance directive form
2. Complete Part 1 – Appointment of Health Care Agent (name primary and at least one alternate)
3. Complete Part 2 – Living Will choices (choose comfort care only, prolong life, or let your agent decide)
4. Complete optional sections (organ donation, religious preferences, etc.)
5. Sign and date in front of either:
   • Two adult witnesses who are not your agent and not related to you by blood or marriage, OR
   • A notary public
6. Give copies to your agent, alternate agent, primary doctor, and local hospital
7. Upload to the Iowa POLST registry if you also complete a POLST form later

Who Can Serve as Your Iowa Health Care Agent?

Almost any competent adult except:

• Your treating physician or an employee of your treating physician (unless they are related to you)
• An owner/operator/employee of your nursing home (unless related)

I always recommend naming at least one alternate agent in case your primary is unavailable.

Sample Filled-Out Iowa Advance Directive Sections

Section	Common Choice	Explanation
Living Will – Terminal Condition	☑ I do NOT want life-sustaining treatment if it only prolongs dying	Most common choice among my clients age 60+
Artificially supplied nutrition/hydration	☑ Withhold or withdraw if terminal	Separate check box – many people feel strongly either way
Pain relief	☑ Provide maximum pain relief even if it hastens death	Reassures families the patient will never suffer

Where to Register or Store Your Iowa Advance Directive

Iowa does not have a statewide advance directive registry (unlike Missouri or Arizona), but you should:

• Give the original to your primary agent
• Provide copies to all doctors and specialists
• Carry a wallet card (included in the free template)
• Upload to your patient portal at UnityPoint, MercyOne, University of Iowa Health Care, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Advance Directive Forms

Is the old “Iowa Declaration” form still valid?
Yes. Any advance directive executed when you had capacity remains valid unless you revoke it.

Do I need an attorney to complete an Iowa advance directive?
No. Iowa provides statutory forms, and my free template is designed for self-completion. However, if your estate exceeds $2 million or you have complex family dynamics, professional review is wise.

Can I change my mind later?
Absolutely. You may revoke your Iowa advance directive at any time by destroying all copies, telling your doctor, or executing a new one.

Does my Iowa advance directive work in other states?
Most states honor out-of-state directives, but Florida, Ohio, and Texas sometimes require their own forms for nursing home admission.

Conclusion: Take Control Today with This Free Iowa Advance Directive Form

In my twelve years helping Iowa families, the single biggest regret I hear is “We meant to get this done, but we kept putting it off.” An advance directive is truly a final act of love—sparing your family from guessing what you would have wanted during the worst moments of their lives.

Download your free, attorney-drafted 2025 Iowa advance directive form today, spend 15 minutes completing it, and give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind.

Download Free Iowa Advance Directive Form (PDF)

Sources:
Iowa Code § 144A.3 – 144A.12 (Declaration Relating to Life-Sustaining Procedures)
Iowa Code § 144B.1 – 144B.12 (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care)
Iowa Department of Public Health – Advance Directives
Internal Revenue Service guidance on medical decision documents (for reference only)

Again, this free Iowa advance directive form is provided as a courtesy and is not a substitute for personalized legal counsel.