How to eFile and eRecord a Renewal of Judgment in Mendocino County

 If you’ve won a civil judgment in Mendocino County, California, and the debtor still hasn’t paid, it’s important to protect your right to collect that money. Judgments in California are enforceable for ten years—but what happens if the debtor still hasn’t paid after that time? That’s where renewing the judgment becomes critical.

Thanks to modern technology, eFiling and eRecording make renewing a judgment much faster and more convenient than ever. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to eFile and eRecord a Renewal of Judgment in Mendocino County, so your right to collect remains intact.

Why You Need to Renew a Judgment

In California, a civil judgment is valid and enforceable for ten years from the date it was entered. If you don’t renew it before that deadline, you lose the legal right to collect the debt—even if the debtor still owes you the full amount.

The renewal extends the enforceability of the judgment for another ten years and allows you to continue collecting through wage garnishments, bank levies, or liens.

When to Renew Your Judgment

You can apply to renew a judgment any time after five years, but before ten years have passed. If you wait until after the ten-year deadline, the court will reject your request, and your judgment will expire. You should start the process at least 3–6 months before the ten-year mark to allow time for processing and service.

Required Forms for Renewal

To renew a judgment in MendocinoCounty, you must file the following forms:

1. Application for and Renewal of Judgment (Form EJ-190)
   This form tells the court that you are requesting a renewal of your existing judgment. You’ll need to provide details like the original judgment amount, interest accrued, and any payments already made.
2. Notice of Renewal of Judgment (Form EJ-195)
   This form is served on the debtor to officially notify them that the judgment has been renewed.
3. Memorandum of Costs After Judgment (Form MC-012) (Optional)
   This form allows you to include any court costs and interest accrued since the original judgment.

Make sure all your documents are accurate and complete, as errors can delay your case or lead to rejection by the court.

How to eFile in Mendocino County

Mendocino County allows eFiling for civil documents, including judgment renewals, through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). These are third-party platforms that interface with the court’s eFiling system.

Step-by-Step Guide to eFiling

1. Choose an EFSP
   Visit www.odysseyefileca.com/service-providers.htm to view a list of certified EFSPs.
2. Create an Account
   Register for an account with your chosen EFSP. You’ll be able to upload your documents and track filings through their online portal.
3. Prepare and Upload Documents
   Save your completed forms in PDF format. When ready, upload them to your EFSP portal and select the appropriate court (Mendocino County Superior Court).
4. Pay the Filing Fee
   Expect to pay a standard court filing fee (usually around $45–$60), plus a small service fee charged by the EFSP.
5. Submit and Track
   After submission, your documents will be electronically delivered to the court. You’ll receive confirmation of acceptance and a stamped copy via email.

How to eRecord in Mendocino County

If your original judgment was recorded with the Mendocino County Recorder’s Office—for example, to place a lien on real property—you must also record the renewed judgment to maintain that lien’s validity.

What You Need:

• A certified copy of the renewed judgment (obtained after eFiling is accepted).
• Access to an eRecording service provider (such as Countrywide Process or CSC Global).

Steps to eRecord:

1. Obtain Certified Copies
   Once your renewal is approved by the court, request certified copies from the Mendocino County clerk’s office.
2. Choose an eRecording Provider
   Select a provider authorized to submit documents electronically to the Mendocino County Recorder.
3. Upload Certified Documents
   Scan your certified documents in PDF format and upload them to the eRecording platform.
4. Pay Recording Fees
   Fees vary depending on the number of pages and type of document, but expect to pay around $20–$30.
5. Receive Confirmation
   Once recorded, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt and a copy of the recorded document.

Serve the Debtor

After renewing the judgment, California law requires you to serve the debtor with a copy of the Notice of Renewal of Judgment (EJ-195). This must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case.

You can serve:

• By personal service (recommended for certainty).
• By first-class mail (acceptable in many cases).

After serving, file a Proof of Service (Form POS-030) with the court.

 

Final Thoughts

Renewing a judgment is one of the most important steps a creditor can take to preserve the right to collect a debt. In Mendocino County, eFiling and eRecording make the process faster and more efficient than ever.

By staying ahead of deadlines, preparing accurate documentation, and using online tools, you can ensure your judgment remains enforceable—and that you don’t miss out on the money you’re legally owed.

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