Collect a small claims judgment in New York

The steps

1. Wait 30 days.

   If the other side does not pay within 30 days of the judgment, the New York City Sheriff can try to collect the judgment for you. Source

2. Send the Sheriff the package. $35

   A copy of the judgment, a completed Request for an Execution, a completed Creditor's Advisory and a $35 check or money order to "NYC Sheriff," to the Sheriff's office in the county where they are. Source

3. Or use a City Marshal.

   A marshal acts on an Execution from your attorney or the court clerk. You choose a marshal or the sheriff. Source

4. Tell them where the money is.

   Finding their assets is your job: the marshal will not search, and will ask you where they are. Source

5. Paycheck or bank. 10%

   An income execution takes no more than 10% of gross wages from each paycheck. A property execution served on a bank reaches money in an account. Source

6. Know the fee. 5%

   A marshal may keep a 5% fee on what is collected, and sends you the rest within 30 days. Source

7. Real estate.

   To reach real property, a transcript of the judgment is docketed (filed and indexed) with the county clerk where the property is. Source

These are New York City's steps. A small claims judgment from a court outside the city is not valid in New York City unless it is docketed in a New York State Supreme Court. Free help and your court's own forms: start here. General information, not legal advice. Ask a lawyer before you act on it.

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.

• NYC Department of Finance: Sheriff, collecting judgments
• NYC Department of Investigation: marshals and judgments

Guides for New York

Writ of Execution After a Small Claims Judgment, by State Judgment Lien After Small Claims How to Garnish Wages After a Small Claims Judgment Garnish a Bank Account With a Small Claims Judgment

Other states

California Texas Florida Pennsylvania