Guide
Virginia Judgments & Liens Search at a Glance
In Virginia, money judgments come from the circuit courts and the general district courts. A judgment for money is a lien on the debtor's real estate from the time it is recorded on the judgment lien docket in the circuit court clerk's office of the county or city where the land is. UCC financing statements are filed with the State Corporation Commission.
Always confirm the official record by ordering a certified copy from the originating office when accuracy matters for closing, refinancing, or litigation.
Guide
Where to search court judgments in Virginia
The Virginia Judicial System's Case Status and Information page leads to the case information systems of the circuit courts and the general district courts, where civil cases are searched court by court, and to the statewide OCIS 2.0 search, which covers criminal and traffic cases.
Guide
Where liens are recorded in Virginia
Every money judgment of a state or federal court in Virginia is a lien on the debtor's real estate from the time it is recorded on the judgment lien docket of the clerk's office of the county or city where the land is (Va. Code 8.01-458). Each circuit court clerk keeps that docket and dockets judgments of other courts when given an authenticated abstract (Va. Code 8.01-446). A general contractor perfects a mechanics lien by filing a memorandum of lien in the clerk's office no later than 90 days from the last day of the month of the last work, and no later than 90 days after the building is completed or the work ends (Va. Code 43-4).
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Virginia UCC filings
The Virginia State Corporation Commission accepts UCC documents only online, through its Clerk's Information System, which also offers a UCC and federal lien search by filing number or debtor name.
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How long a judgment lien lasts in Virginia
No execution can issue and no action can be brought on a judgment dated on or after July 1, 2021 more than 10 years after the judgment; older judgments and child support judgments have 20 years. Before the period runs out, the creditor can record a certificate in the clerk's office that extends it 10 years from recording, and one more certificate can follow (Va. Code 8.01-251).
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Finding the debtor's assets after judgment in Virginia
Virginia's procedure is debtor interrogatories under Va. Code 8.01-506, titled proceedings by interrogatories to ascertain the estate of the debtor. On the application of the execution creditor, the clerk of the court from which the writ of fieri facias issued issues a summons requiring the judgment debtor, or an officer of a corporate or other business debtor, or a person suspected of holding the debtor's property, to appear at the time and place named before the court or a commissioner and answer interrogatories under oath about personal estate and real estate in or outside Virginia. The debtor may not be summoned more than once in six months without good cause shown.
Two court files may already hold the answers. A Virginia divorce file is open to any person under 17.1-208, and the decree and incorporated property settlement agreement show who received the real estate, accounts, vehicles and retirement assets, with any income and expense statement filed alongside. A bankruptcy file in the Eastern or Western District lists deposit accounts by institution and the employer by name. The Virginia asset search page covers both.
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Court forms and self-help in Virginia
Virginia Judicial System Court Self-Help explains the courts and their procedures for people without a lawyer, including small claims cases, and points to court forms.
Guide
Federal & National Authoritative Sources
By state
Judgments and liens in other states
Straight answers
Virginia Judgments & Liens Search, questions
How long is a judgment lien enforceable in Virginia?
In Virginia, a money judgment is enforceable as a lien for 10 years from the date it is entered or properly docketed. Creditors who want to extend collection beyond that period must file a renewal motion with the issuing court before the lien lapses. Read the Virginia statute.
What is the deadline for filing a mechanics lien in Virginia?
In Virginia, a mechanics lien (also called a construction or materialman's lien) must generally be filed within 90 days after the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project. Different deadlines may apply to general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, so check the exact statute before relying on this window. Source: Virginia statute.
What property is protected from judgment creditors in Virginia?
Virginia protects a homestead, the debtor's primary residence, up to $5,000 in equity from forced sale by most judgment creditors. Personal property exemptions (motor vehicle, household goods, tools of trade, retirement accounts) are listed separately in the state code. Confirm the current amount on the official source.
Where do I file or search a UCC-1 in Virginia?
UCC-1 financing statements for personal-property collateral in Virginia are filed with the Secretary of State (or equivalent state filing office). Open the official Virginia UCC filing portal. Real-property liens (mortgages, judgment-lien dockets, mechanics liens) are recorded at the county recorder/clerk where the property is located, not at the state level.