The Abstract of Judgment (printed on the form as ABSTRACT OF JUDGMENT (CIVIL)) is a two-page form that a judgment creditor or assignee of record completes to apply for an abstract of a civil judgment. The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder publishes it among its Recorder Sample Documents. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the agency does not accept forms online, so you deliver the printed form by mail or in person.
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What is Abstract of Judgment – Riverside County, CA?
The Abstract of Judgment (Civil) is a two-page form on which a judgment creditor or assignee of record applies for an abstract of judgment and states the judgment debtor's details, the judgment amount, the entry and renewal dates and any stay of enforcement.
Page 1 carries the caption (name of court, plaintiff, defendant, case number), the applicant's statement in item 1 and the abstract itself in items 2 through 9. Item 1 records the judgment debtor's name and last known address, driver's license and Social Security numbers (each pre-printed "Unknown."), and the person to whom the summons or notice of entry of sister-state judgment was personally served or mailed. Items 5 through 9 give the date judgment was entered, any renewals, the total amount entered or last renewed, any execution attachment lien, whether a stay of enforcement has been ordered and whether the judgment is an installment judgment.
Page 2 lists additional judgment debtors in items 10 through 17 and has item 18 for a continuation attachment. The form has a "FOR RECORDER'S USE ONLY" area, a "FOR COURT USE ONLY" area, a seal box and a line where the clerk and deputy issue the abstract.
The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder publishes the form as a Recorder Sample Document and states that it makes no representation about whether the sample suits your purposes.
Who needs to file Abstract of Judgment – Riverside County, CA?
The form is completed by the judgment creditor or assignee of record who applies for an abstract of judgment; item 1 is signed by the applicant or the applicant's attorney, with the name typed or printed. The top of the form also has a block for an attorney or party without an attorney.
Others who appear on the form:
- Judgment debtors. The form names the judgment debtor in item 1 and item 4 and lists additional debtors in items 10 through 17, with a continuation attachment under item 18.
- The court clerk. The form has a court-use area, a seal box and a line for the clerk and deputy to complete when the abstract is issued; you do not fill those in.
The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder states that its employees cannot give legal advice or help prepare legal documents. If you are unsure whether this is the right document for your transaction, the agency tells you to consult an attorney or obtain other professional advice.
When to file Abstract of Judgment – Riverside County, CA
You complete the form after a judgment has been entered in the case. Item 5 asks for the date judgment was entered and for up to two renewal dates, and item 6 asks for the total amount of judgment entered or last renewed, so the form assumes the judgment already exists.
No due date is printed on the form. Check the stay information in item 8 before you sign: it records whether the court has not ordered a stay of enforcement or has ordered one effective until a stated date. The form also asks for the date of the abstract's issue, which the clerk completes. For any timing question about your judgment, ask an attorney, because the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder says its staff cannot provide legal advice.
Documents you need
- A certified copy of the judgment, attached when you check item 2b.
- A continuation attachment, when item 18 (continued on attachment 18) is used because more judgment debtors do not fit on page 2.
- Any record that identifies the person on whom the summons or notice of entry of sister-state judgment was personally served or mailed, whose name and address you enter in item 1d.
How to fill out Abstract of Judgment – Riverside County, CA
Complete the top block
Enter the attorney or party without attorney (name and address) and the "Recording requested by and return to" information. Leave the recorder's and court-use areas blank.
Enter the court and case caption
Fill in the name of court, street address, mailing address, city and zip code, branch name, plaintiff, defendant and case number.
Complete item 1 applicant details
Check the box for judgment creditor or assignee of record, then give the judgment debtor's name and last known address (1a), driver's license (1b) and Social Security number (1c) if known, and the name and address where the summons or notice was served or mailed (1d). Check 1e if more debtors are on the reverse.
Date and sign item 1
Enter the date, type or print the name and sign as applicant or attorney.
Complete the abstract in items 2 to 4
Check 2a to certify the abstract, check 2b if a certified copy of the judgment is attached, enter the judgment creditor's name in item 3 and the judgment debtor's full name as it appears in the judgment in item 4.
Enter judgment and renewal dates
In item 5, enter the date judgment was entered (5a) and any renewal dates (5b and 5c). In item 6, enter the total amount of judgment entered or last renewed.
Complete liens, stay and installment items
In item 7, enter the amount and the names and address in favor of whom any execution attachment lien is endorsed. In item 8, check whether a stay of enforcement has not been ordered or has been ordered, with the end date. Check item 9 if it is an installment judgment.
List additional judgment debtors
On page 2, use items 10 through 17 for each additional debtor: name and last known address, driver's license, Social Security number and where the summons was served or mailed. Check item 18 if you attach a continuation.
Review, download and print
Check names, case number, dates and amounts against the judgment. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF in black ink on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper, then deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Abstract of Judgment – Riverside County, CA
The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder says its forms do not allow online submission and must be delivered by mail or in person to your local Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office.
- Print correctly. The agency requires all of its forms to be printed in black ink on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper.
- By mail or in person. Deliver the printed, signed form to your local Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office. The agency's forms page, https://www.rivcoacr.org/-forms, is where it publishes its forms; the form itself prints no mailing address or portal.
- Return details. Fill in the "Recording requested by and return to" block at the top so the document comes back to the right person.
- Court section. The court-use area, seal and issue line are completed by the clerk, not by you.
- Certified copy. If you check item 2b, attach the certified copy of the judgment.
The form states no fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Printing the form in color or on paper other than 8 1/2" x 11" white paper; the agency requires black ink on white paper.
- Trying to submit the form online; the agency says its forms must be delivered by mail or in person.
- Leaving item 1 unsigned or undated; it requires the applicant's or attorney's signature with a typed or printed name.
- Not checking item 1e when additional judgment debtors are shown on the reverse.
- Checking item 2b without attaching the certified copy of the judgment.
- Running out of room on page 2 for additional debtors without marking item 18 and adding a continuation attachment.
- Completing the clerk's areas (court use, seal, issue date, clerk and deputy line) yourself.
- Asking county staff which form is right for your case; they cannot give legal advice or help prepare legal documents.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Abstract of Judgment (Civil)?
It is a two-page form on which a judgment creditor or assignee of record applies for an abstract of judgment. It lists the court, parties, case number, judgment debtor details, judgment and renewal dates, total amount, any lien and any stay of enforcement.
Who fills out the Abstract of Judgment?
The judgment creditor or assignee of record completes it, and the applicant or the applicant's attorney signs item 1. The clerk, not the applicant, completes the court-use area, seal and the issue line for the clerk and deputy.
Can I fill out the Abstract of Judgment online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the county and does not file the form; the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder requires delivery by mail or in person.
Where do I submit the Riverside County Abstract of Judgment?
Deliver it by mail or in person to your local Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office. The agency says its forms do not allow online submission. The form prints no address, so check the forms page at rivcoacr.org for your office.
What paper and ink should I use?
Print the form in black ink on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder states that all of its forms must be printed this way.
What do I attach to the Abstract of Judgment?
If you check item 2b, attach a certified copy of the judgment. If you have more judgment debtors than items 10 through 17 allow, check item 18 and add a continuation attachment.
What if there is more than one judgment debtor?
Check item 1e and list each additional debtor on page 2 in items 10 through 17, giving name, last known address, driver's license, Social Security number and where the summons was served or mailed. Use item 18 for any further debtors.
Can county staff help me complete the form?
No. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder says its employees cannot give legal advice or help prepare legal documents. For questions about which form fits your transaction, consult an attorney or other professional.
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