In California, a notarized Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment is often required for recording. But can a certified court copy take its place? Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding Filing vs. Recording in Judgment Satisfaction

When a California judgment is paid in full, the creditor must take the appropriate steps to acknowledge satisfaction. This typically involves:

1. Filing an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form EJ-100) with the court.
   
2. Recording the document with the County Recorder if a lien was placed on the debtor’s property.
   

But here’s where confusion often arises: Does the document need to be notarized, or will a certified copy from the court suffice for recording purposes?

Filing with the Court: No Notarization Required

The first step is filing EJ-100 with the court to reflect the paid judgment. When doing so:

• The form does not require notarization.
  
• It is signed under penalty of perjury by the judgment creditor or their attorney.
  
• Once filed, the court stamps and retains the original.
  
• You can then request a certified copy of the filed EJ-100.
  

Recording with the County Recorder: Two Options

If an Abstract of Judgment was previously recorded to place a lien on real property, the lien must now be removed. This requires recording a Satisfaction of Judgment with the County Recorder.

Option A: Notarized EJ-100

You can record the document directly—but only if it has been notarized.

• This approach treats the form like a real property document, requiring notarization under California law (CCP § 724.060).
  
• Once notarized, it’s accepted by the Recorder’s Office for lien release.
  

Option B: Certified Copy from the Court

If the EJ-100 was already filed with the court, you may obtain a certified copy from the clerk and record that version instead.

• This certified copy serves as a legal equivalent to a notarized document.
  
• Most County Recorder offices in California accept certified court copies for recording purposes in lieu of notarization.
  

Check with the specific county recorder where the lien was recorded. While most accept certified copies, some may still prefer notarized originals.

Summary Comparison

Practical Tips

• Always request multiple certified copies if you need to record in more than one county.
  
• Bring identification when requesting certified documents in person.
  
• If unsure, call the Recorder’s Office ahead of time and confirm whether a certified copy will be accepted.
  

Why It Matters

Properly satisfying and recording a judgment ensures that:

• The debtor’s credit and property records are cleared.
  
• No further enforcement actions occur.
  
• You remain compliant with California Civil Procedure requirements.
  

Need help preparing or recording your Satisfaction of Judgment? Reach out to our legal support team at CountrywideProcess.com to get it done quickly, accurately, and in full compliance with California law.