Ames, IA · Story County
Voluntary Annexation Petition Application Packet
This packet lets property owners and applicants request voluntary annexation of adjoining property into Ames and submit the required information to the City Clerk’s Office.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Property owners use this packet to petition Ames to annex adjoining property and provide the legal descriptions, plat, ownership details, signatures, and other required materials. The City requires a complete packet and a $200 filing fee when the petition is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office; incomplete materials can delay acceptance. The packet includes a notarized signature page for each consenting property owner and contract buyer, if any.
Who needs it
Property owners seeking voluntary annexation into Ames, along with applicants and any consenting contract buyers whose signatures are required, need this packet.
Why it needs a notary
The signature page contains a State of Iowa, County of Story jurat; each consenting property owner and contract buyer, if any, signs before the notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Packet
Get the Voluntary Annexation Petition Application Packet from the City of Ames.
- 2
Complete the Application
Fill in the property, owner, applicant, and contact details, and gather the required legal descriptions, plat, and other materials.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange a remote notarization for each required consenting owner or contract buyer signature.
- 4
Sign on Video
Sign the signature page in the online notary session and complete the jurat.
- 5
Submit to the City
Submit the completed packet, required attachments, and $200 fee to the Ames City Clerk’s Office.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Ames. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I submit an Ames voluntary annexation petition?
- Complete the packet and attach the required materials, including legal descriptions and a plat. Submit it with the $200 fee to the Ames City Clerk’s Office; the packet lists the filing address.
- Do I need to have my signature notarized?
- Yes. The signature page has a jurat, and the packet requires notarized signatures from all consenting property owners and contract buyers, if any.
- Can I sign the annexation petition with a commissioned online notary?
- Iowa authorizes remote online notarization by a commissioned online notary. Because the packet says original signatures must accompany the application, confirm the City’s submission requirements before signing remotely.
- What materials must accompany the petition?
- The checklist calls for legal descriptions and a plat showing the proposed property and its relationship to Ames’s corporate limits. Additional requirements may apply based on the annexation request; confirm with the city if unsure.