How to eFile and eRecord a Renewal of Judgment in Contra Costa County, CA

 If you have a court-issued money judgment in California, you’ve already won a critical legal battle. However, your victory comes with an expiration date—unless you take the proper steps to renew it. In California, judgments expire after 10 years unless they are renewed. This article walks you through how to efile renewal of judgement and eRecord your documents in Contra Costa County, making the process smoother, more efficient, and fully compliant with local court and recorder requirements.

Why You Need to Renew a Judgment

Under California law, a money judgment is enforceable for 10 years from the date it was entered. If you don’t renew it before that period ends, you may lose your legal ability to collect on the debt. That includes seizing assets, garnishing wages, or placing liens on property.

The good news? Renewing a judgment is a straightforward process—especially if you efile renewal of judgement and take advantage of digital services. Contra Costa County allows and encourages eFiling and eRecording, making it easier for judgment creditors to protect their rights.

When to Renew Your Judgment

You can file for renewal any time after five years from the date the original judgment was entered, but before it hits the 10-year expiration date. If you let the 10 years pass without action, the judgment becomes unenforceable.

Once renewed, the judgment is good for another 10 years—and yes, you can renew it multiple times, as long as you follow the proper legal process.

Key Forms You’ll Need

To efile renewal of judgement in Contra Costa County, you'll need the following:

  1. Form EJ-190 – Application for and Renewal of Judgment

  2. Form EJ-195 – Notice of Renewal of Judgment

  3. Proof of Service – Document showing the debtor was properly served with notice

  4. Optional: Memorandum of Costs – To claim accrued interest and any costs incurred since the original judgment

Step-by-Step Guide: eFile and eRecord in Contra Costa County

Step 1: Prepare the EJ-190 Form

The first step to efile renewal of judgement is filling out Form EJ-190, which is your formal application to renew the original judgment. You'll need to list the original case number, court, judgment amount, interest accrued, and any costs you're claiming.

Step 2: File the Form Electronically

Contra Costa County Superior Court accepts eFilings through approved electronic service providers (EFSPs). You’ll need to create an account with one of these providers, upload your completed form, and submit it online.

This is the point where you officially efile renewal of judgement—and it starts the clock on the renewed 10-year period of enforceability.

Step 3: Serve the Notice of Renewal (EJ-195)

Once your renewal is accepted by the court, you must serve the debtor with Form EJ-195 (Notice of Renewal of Judgment). Service can be done via mail by someone who is not a party to the case and is over the age of 18.

Failing to serve this notice correctly can invalidate your renewal, so this step is crucial.

Step 4: Prepare an Abstract of Judgment (Optional but Recommended)

If you’re interested in securing your lien rights on the debtor’s real property, prepare an Abstract of Judgment. This allows you to record a lien on any real estate owned by the debtor in Contra Costa County.

Once completed, the abstract is ready to be submitted for eRecording.

Step 5: eRecord with the Contra Costa County Recorder

Next, take your Abstract of Judgment and submit it to the Contra Costa County Recorder’s Office for electronic recording. This creates a public record and places a lien on the debtor’s real property.

Again, this can all be done digitally. Many EFSPs or legal support services will help you efile renewal of judgement and eRecord your lien all in one workflow.

Benefits of eFiling and eRecording

Choosing to efile renewal of judgement and eRecord electronically provides several advantages:

  • Faster processing times – No waiting in court lines or mailing delays.

  • Greater accuracy – Digital platforms often flag errors before submission.

  • 24/7 access – File and record documents outside of normal court hours.

  • Peace of mind – Get confirmation and tracking of every step.

For busy professionals, law firms, or individual creditors, going digital is the smart move.

Special Notes for Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County requires that most civil filings, including judgment renewals, be submitted electronically. The court maintains a list of approved EFSPs on its website. Before you efile renewal of judgement, ensure your EFSP is authorized and that you're using current court forms.

If you're recording a lien, make sure your Abstract of Judgment meets all formatting and fee requirements for the Recorder’s Office. Many rejections come from simple mistakes like using outdated forms or forgetting the required fees.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve won a court judgment, don’t risk losing it by letting it expire. Whether you're an individual creditor or a law office managing multiple cases, knowing how to efile renewal of judgement and eRecord your lien in Contra Costa County is crucial for long-term enforcement.

By taking a few digital steps—filing EJ-190, serving the debtor, and optionally recording an abstract—you can protect your ability to collect for years to come. The entire process is now more efficient than ever thanks to California's support for electronic court services.

Visit http://county.countrywideprocess.com/how-to-efile-and-erecord-a-renewal-of-judgment-in-contra-costa-county/



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