Iowa-Pardon

The governor’s pardon power is subject to statutory regulation, and he is required to consider non-binding recommendations from the parole board.  The governor must report to the legislature every two years on his pardons, with the reasons for each one.  For restoration of rights, application may be filed upon completion of sentence, including payment of court costs.  For a full pardon, applications may be submitted at any time, but by policy the governor requires a ten-year waiting period after completion of sentence for pardon.  There is a five-year waiting period for firearms restoration.  People with out-of-state and federal offenses are eligible for restoration of rights, but they may also have rights restored in the jurisdiction of conviction.  Pardons relieve legal disabilities but do not result in expungement or sealing.  Pardoning in Iowa is infrequent but the process relatively regular: of the few people who apply for pardon or restoration of firearms, a substantial percentage (30%) get relief.