sheriff-collecting-judgments

Department of Finance


Judgment types

Small claims judgments

The Sheriff’s Office can attempt to collect outstanding small claims judgments on your behalf if the defendant does not pay within 30 days of the judgment. If the defendant does not pay after the 30-day period, you may bring or mail your judgment to us and we will attempt to collect the amount of the judgment plus interest and any fees. The fee for this is $35.00.

What you need to bring/send us:

Copy of the judgment

Completed Request for an Execution

Completed Creditor's Advisory

Check or money order for $35.00, made out to “NYC Sheriff”

Send the above to the Sheriff County Office where the debtor is located.

Judgments from a small claims court outside of New York City are not valid in New York City unless docketed in a New York State Supreme Court.

Civil court judgments

The Sheriff’s Office can attempt to collect outstanding NYC Civil Court judgments on your behalf. You may bring or mail your judgment to us, and we will attempt to satisfy the amount of the judgment plus interest and any fees. The fee for this is $50.00.

An NYC civil court judgment is not valid for seizing real property (land, houses, etc.) unless it is docketed in the Supreme Court in the county where the civil court is located. A transcript of the judgment must then be docketed to the Supreme Court where the property to be seized is located.

What you need to bring/send us:

Copy of the judgment

Completed Request for an Execution

Completed Affidavit in Support of Execution

Check or money order for $50.00 made out to “NYC Sheriff”

Send the above to the Sheriff County Office where the debtor is located.

Judgments from civil, city, or district courts outside of New York City are not valid in New York City unless docketed in a New York State Supreme Court or County Court.

Supreme Court judgments

The Sheriff’s Office can attempt to collect personal property by seizing and selling at public auction. This may include real property within the county, bank accounts, money loaned, money due on goods sold and delivered, and rents and royalties. This does not include salary and wages. A property execution must be issued by either an attorney or by the clerk of the court.

If the execution is against real property, judgment must be entered with the clerk of the county where the property is located, or a transcript of judgment must be docketed with that clerk.

What you need to bring/send us:

Cover letter detailing actions to be taken

Check or money order for $50.00 made out to “NYC Sheriff”

Send the above to the Sheriff County Office where the debtor, garnishee, or property is located.