How to Remove a Lien

After the judgment debtor has paid you, the judgment creditor, in full, you MUST file an Acknowledgement of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form EJ-100) with the court.
To learn how to do this, click here.

Also, if you placed any liens on the judgment debtor’s real property you must remove the liens.

NOTE: If you do not remove the liens, you may be liable for any damages that the judgment debtor may suffer because you didn’t remove them.

Personal Property --

If you filed judgment liens with the Secretary of State’s office on the debtor’s personal property:

Step 1. Get and fill out a copy of the Secretary of State’s:

Notice of Judgment Lien Release or Subordination (Form JL-3)

Step 2. Optional: Attach a certified copy of the Acknowledgement of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form EJ-100) to the JL-3 form.

Step 3. Include the fee.

Step 4. Mail to the:

Secretary of State
P.O. Box 942835
Sacramento, CA 94235

Real Property --

If you filed any abstracts of the judgment on the real property of the debtor:

Step 1. Write a letter to each county where you placed a lien. Include the:

Case number
Name of the Debtor(s), as written in the Abstract of Judgment
Name and address of the institution holding the property (usually a bank)
Date when the lien is to be “released.”

Step 2. Attach a certified copy of the Acknowledgement of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form EJ-100) to each letter.

REMEMBER to mail a copy of everything you do to the judgment debtor.

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