Judgment Lien

Your Filing Options

File online with a credit card.

OR

Complete the fillable PDF form using your computer.

• Print and sign it.
• Mail the document with payment to the Division of Corporations.

OR

Print the PDF form.

• Complete it using blue or black ink.
• Sign it.
• Mail the document with payment to the Division of Corporations.

When sending your document, do not include a copy of your judgment order or a self-addressed stamped envelope.

 

Information You Should Know

• Judgment liens on personal property in Florida are filed with the Florida Department of State.
• Filing with the Department of State serves as public notice that the creditor (the person who won the judgment) has a monetary judgment placed against the debtor (the person who owes the money).
• Liens are valid for five years from the original filing date.
  • Florida law allows judgment liens to be filed a second time to extend the lien’s validity five more years. (See s.55.201-55.209, F.S.)
• You can search for liens on our website.
• If the debtor is a business entity, the debtor’s assigned Department of State document number is required.
• Writs of Execution are not docketed with the County Sheriff’s office.

Payment Options

• Make all checks payable to the Florida Department of State. Check and money orders must be payable in U.S. currency drawn from a U.S. bank.
• Credit cards accepted for filing online are MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express.

Processing

• File online: 2-3 business days. You will receive an acknowledgment email once the form is processed.
• File by mail: 5-10 business days, or longer during peak periods.

 

Forms

• (any of the forms listed below)
• Judgment Lien Certificate (PDF)
• Second Judgment Lien Certificate (PDF)
• Judgment Lien Correction Statement (PDF) – The debtor adds a statement to the record; nothing in the database changes.
• Judgment Lien Amendment Statement (PDF) – Change or correct information previously filed; the database will reflect changes.