How to eFile and eRecord a Renewal of Judgment in Tehama County, California

 If you're a judgment creditor in Tehama County, California, you likely know that a money judgment does not last forever. In California, judgments expire after 10 years unless renewed. If you want to continue collecting what you're owed, you must renew the judgment before it expires. This process includes filing renewal documents with the court and, if applicable, recording them with the county recorder to maintain any liens on property. Thanks to advances in legal technology, Tehama County now supports electronic filing (eFiling) and electronic recording (eRecording), making the renewal process faster and more accessible than ever before.

This blog will walk you through how to eFile and eRecord a renewal of judgment in Tehama County and explain how and when to serve a notice of renewal of judgment.

What Is a Renewal of Judgment?

When a judgment is issued in your favor, you have up to 10 years to collect the debt through various means such as wage garnishments, levies, and liens. If the debt is not collected within that time, and you don’t renew the judgment, your legal right to enforce it expires. Renewing the judgment allows you to restart the 10-year enforcement period.

To initiate this process, the main documents you will need are:

1. Application for and Renewal of Judgment (Form EJ-190)
2. Notice of Renewal of Judgment (Form EJ-195)
3. Memorandum of Costs After Judgment (Form MC-012) (optional, for updating accrued interest or costs)

Step 1: Complete Required Forms

The first step is to fill out the Application for and Renewal of Judgment (EJ-190). This form provides the court with details of the original judgment and any accrued interest or costs. It restarts the 10-year clock for enforcement once accepted by the court.

Next, prepare the Notice of Renewal of Judgment (EJ-195). This document is just as important because it must be served to the judgment debtor after the court processes your renewal. The notice of renewal of judgment informs the debtor that you’ve taken action to keep the judgment active and enforceable.

Step 2: eFiling in Tehama County

Tehama County allows eFiling for most civil cases, including judgment renewals. You must use an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP). These services allow you to upload your court documents online, submit them for review, and pay court fees all in one place.

When preparing to eFile:

• Ensure all documents are in PDF format.
• Check for file size limitations (typically 25 MB per document).
• Include all required attachments and forms.
• Pay the applicable filing fee (usually around $45 for a renewal).

Once submitted, your documents will be reviewed by the court clerk. If approved, you will receive an electronically file-stamped copy of your renewal documents, including the notice of renewalof judgment.

Step 3: Serve the Notice of Renewal of Judgment

After your renewal has been accepted by the court, you are legally required to serve the notice of renewal of judgment on the judgment debtor. This ensures that they are informed of the updated status of the judgment.

There are a few acceptable ways to serve the notice:

• By personal service
• By first-class mail, as long as it’s done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case

A proof of service form (POS-020 or POS-030) must be completed and filed with the court to confirm that service has been properly completed.

It’s important to note that the judgment debtor has 60 days from the date of service of the notice of renewal of judgment to file a motion to contest the renewal.

Step 4: eRecord with Tehama County Recorder

If your original judgment was recorded as a lien on real property in Tehama County, you’ll need to update the record to reflect the renewed judgment. This helps maintain your lien priority and ensures that your claim remains enforceable against any real estate owned by the debtor.

To do this, obtain a certified copy of the Application for and Renewal of Judgment and submit it through an approved eRecording service such as Simplifile or CSC. These platforms work directly with the Tehama County Recorder’s Office to ensure the document is officially entered into the public record.

Keep in mind that eRecording typically requires:

• A user account with the vendor
• Payment of the recording fee (generally between $20–$50)
• A certified, court-stamped copy of your renewal form

The recorded renewal becomes part of the public record and is essential to preserve your lien rights.

Why the Notice of Renewal of Judgment Is Critical

The notice of renewal of judgment plays a pivotal role in this legal process. Not only does it notify the debtor, but it also starts the clock on their opportunity to challenge the renewal. You must serve this document every time a renewal is filed, even if you’ve already served a previous one in a prior renewal cycle.

Neglecting to properly serve the notice of renewal of judgment can result in the court’s refusal to enforce the judgment, even if everything else was correctly filed.

Conclusion

Renewing a judgment in Tehama County doesn’t have to be complicated. With the ability to eFile and eRecord, you can manage the entire process efficiently and without having to visit the courthouse or recorder’s office in person. The key is preparation—completing the right forms, paying attention to deadlines, and properly serving the notice of renewal of judgment. Doing so protects your legal rights and keeps your debt collection efforts alive.

If you need help with this process or are unsure which EFSP or eRecording platform to use, contact a legal document assistant or judgment recovery specialist familiar with Tehama County procedures. Properly renewing your judgment gives you another decade to collect what’s rightfully owed.

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