Iowa Code Title X. Financial Resources [Chs. 421-454] § 447.13. Cost--fee--report

1. The cost of serving the notice, including the cost of sending certified mail notices, and the cost of publication under section 447.10, if publication is required, shall be added to the amount necessary to redeem. The cost of a record search shall also be added to the amount necessary to redeem. However, if the certificate holder is other than a county, the search must be performed by an abstractor who is an active participant in the Iowa title guaranty program under section 16.91 or by an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Iowa, and the amount of the cost of the record search that may be added to the amount necessary to redeem shall not exceed three hundred dollars.

2. The county treasurer shall file the proof of service and statement of costs and record these costs against the parcel. The certificate holder or the holder's agent shall report in writing to the treasurer the amount of authorized costs incurred, and the treasurer shall file the statement. Costs not filed with the treasurer before a redemption is complete shall not be collected by the treasurer and may be recovered through a court action against the parcel owner by the certificate holder.