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FL · Checked October 23, 2026

Collect a small claims judgment in Florida

General information, not legal advice. Ask a lawyer before you act on it.

Start after
10 days after the judgment is entered, for a writ of execution
Who takes the money
The sheriff, with a court order
How long it lasts
20 years; the lien on real estate runs 10 years from recording and can be extended

Next: make the payment letter See the steps

The steps

  1. Know who collects.

    The clerk cannot collect your judgment or give legal advice. These steps are the clerk's own list. Source

  2. Find out what they own.

    Ask the court for an order that the other side fill out a Fact Information Sheet about their assets. Source

  3. Record the judgment.

    Get a certified copy from the clerk and record it in the Official Records of any Florida county where they own real estate. That can make it a lien on that property. Source

  4. Register a Judgment Lien Certificate. F.S. 55.203

    Register the judgment with the Florida Department of State and get its certificate. The sheriff needs it with the writ. Source

  5. Ask for a Writ of Execution.

    After 10 days, the clerk can issue a writ that lets the sheriff take property you can locate and describe. If your judgment says execution may issue "instanter" or "forthwith," you need not wait. Source

  6. Take it to the sheriff.

    Bring Instructions for Levy (what to take, and where it is), the writ and the certificate. The sheriff's office tells you the cost. Source

  7. Extend the lien.

    A recorded judgment is a lien for 10 years from recording; re-record a certified copy with an affidavit to extend it 10 more. Source

These are the Volusia County clerk's steps; other Florida clerks use the same statutes but may have their own forms and fees. Free help and your court's own forms: start here. General information, not legal advice. Ask a lawyer before you act on it.

Ask once, in writing

Most winners start with a letter asking for payment by a date. Fill one in and print it; nothing you type leaves this page.

Make the payment letter

Sources

Every step above was checked on October 23, 2026 against these pages. Fees and forms change; your court's clerk has the current ones.

Guides for Florida

Writ of Execution After a Small Claims Judgment, by State Writ of Execution in Florida Small Claims Judgment Lien After Small Claims Florida Judgment Lien After Small Claims Satisfaction of Judgment After Small Claims Judgment Debtor Examination After Small Claims Fact Information Sheet in Florida Small Claims Garnish a Bank Account With a Small Claims Judgment Renew a Small Claims Judgment Before It Expires, by State

Other states

California Texas New York Pennsylvania