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: Processed in the order received. You will receive an acknowledgment email once the form is processed.
- File by mail: Processed in the order received.
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.
