A written finding of presumed death of a person resulting from a natural or man-made disaster, made by a local, state, or federal officer or employee authorized to make such a finding, or a duly certified copy of such a finding, shall be received by a judge or magistrate as evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead, and of the date, circumstances, and place of the disappearance. Upon receipt of such evidence the judge or magistrate may enter an order of presumption of death of the person. Upon presentation of a certified court order, a certificate of death shall be filed pursuant to section 144.26.
Iowa Code § 633.520
2002 Acts, ch 1108, §30