How to eFile and eRecord an Abstract of Judgment in Tulare County

 If you've obtained a court judgment in California and the debtor hasn’t paid, one effective way to collect is to place a lien on the debtor’s real estate. In Tulare County, this process involves preparing, filing, and recording an Abstract of Judgment. Thanks to modern technology, you can now efile online and eRecord your documents without stepping into a courthouse or recorder’s office.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of the process to efile online and record an Abstract of Judgment in Tulare County, California. Whether you're a creditor, attorney, or collection agency, understanding this streamlined process will help protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery efforts.



What is an Abstract of Judgment?

An Abstract of Judgment is a legal document that summarizes a court’s final decision in a civil case, typically involving a monetary award. When filed and recorded in the appropriate county, it places a lien on any real property owned by the judgment debtor in that county. This prevents the debtor from selling or refinancing property without first resolving the judgment debt.

In California, the official form used is Judicial Council Form EJ-001.

Step 1: Prepare the Abstract of Judgment (Form EJ-001)

Before you efile online, you must first complete the correct form. The EJ-001 form includes critical information such as:

  • Full legal names of the judgment debtor(s)

  • Judgment amount and interest

  • Court name and case number

  • Name and address of the judgment creditor or attorney

Be sure the information is accurate, as this will directly affect your lien's enforceability.

Step 2: eFile with Tulare County Superior Court

Tulare County uses Odyssey eFileCA, a state-approved portal that allows parties to efile online with the court. You must use an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP), such as One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or Rapid Legal, to submit your EJ-001 form.

Tips for Successful eFiling:

  • Save your EJ-001 form as a searchable, black-and-white PDF

  • Ensure it's scanned at 300 dpi or higher

  • Pay the court's filing fee via your EFSP account

Once your Abstract is submitted and accepted, the court will return a stamped copy—this is the official version you'll use for recording.

Step 3: eRecord with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office

After your Abstract of Judgment is accepted by the court, the next step is to efile online (or electronically record) the document with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. This creates a lien on the debtor’s real property in Tulare County.

Tulare County participates in eRecording through vendors like CSC, Simplifile, and Indecomm. Many EFSPs also offer built-in eRecording options, allowing you to efile online and record in one streamlined workflow.

What You’ll Need to eRecord:

  • A court-stamped Abstract of Judgment (PDF)

  • County-specific cover sheet, if required

  • Payment for recording fees (typically $20–40)

Your eRecording vendor will send the document electronically to the Recorder’s Office. Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt and a document number showing that the lien is official.

Step 4: Serve Notice to the Judgment Debtor (If Required)

Although not always mandatory, it’s a good legal practice to notify the judgment debtor that an Abstract of Judgment has been recorded. This can be done via certified mail, personal service, or as required by local rules.

If you’re unsure about the requirements in your case, consulting with a collections attorney or paralegal familiar with Tulare County procedures is advised.

Why eFile Online?

The option to efile online brings major advantages:

  1. Speed – No waiting in court or recorder lines. Most documents are processed within 24–48 hours.

  2. Accuracy – Built-in checks in EFSP systems help reduce errors before submission.

  3. Convenience – Submit and monitor filings from anywhere, 24/7.

  4. Proof of Filing – Digital receipts and stamped copies are stored securely online.

If you're managing multiple cases or work for a law firm, being able to efile online and record documents digitally saves time, labor, and risk of lost paperwork.

Important Reminders

  • Your lien created by the Abstract of Judgment lasts 10 years from the date of the original judgment.

  • You can renew the lien by filing another Abstract before it expires (you'll also need to file a request for renewal of the judgment using Form EJ-190).

  • If the debtor owns property in other counties, you must efile online and record a separate Abstract in each of those counties.

Conclusion

Recording an Abstract of Judgment is one of the most effective ways to collect unpaid judgments in California. Tulare County has made the process easier than ever by allowing you to efile online and eRecord documents without visiting the courthouse. By following the steps in this guide—completing Form EJ-001, eFiling with the court, and eRecording with the county—you'll ensure your lien is valid, enforceable, and legally secure.

Whether you're a solo creditor or a legal professional managing collections, the ability to efile online in Tulare County puts the power of enforcement directly at your fingertips.

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