Oregon Code § 46.488·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Lien
effect of small claims judgments.
(1) A judgment creditor may not create a judgment lien for a judgment entered
in the small claims department of a circuit court if the money award is less
than $10, exclusive of costs and disbursements. A judgment creditor may create
a judgment lien for a judgment entered in the small claims department of a
circuit court in an amount of $10 or more and less than $3,000, exclusive of
costs and disbursements, only as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) If a judgment
is rendered in the small claims department in an amount of $3,000 or more, the
clerk shall note in the register of the circuit court that the judgment creates
a judgment lien if the judgment otherwise complies with the requirements of ORS
chapter 18 for creating a judgment lien. A judgment creditor may create a lien
for the judgment in other counties in the manner provided by ORS 18.152.
(3) When a
judgment is entered in the small claims department in an amount of $10 or more
and less than $3,000, exclusive of costs or disbursements, a judgment creditor
may at any time before expiration of judgment remedies for the judgment under
ORS 18.180 create a judgment lien for the judgment by paying to the clerk of
the court that entered the judgment the fees established under ORS 21.235
(1)(a) and requesting that the clerk of the court note in the register and in
the judgment lien record that the judgment creates a judgment lien. Upon
receipt of the fees and request for creating a judgment lien, the clerk shall
note in the register that the judgment creates a judgment lien. Upon entry of
the notation in the register, the judgment creates a lien as described in ORS
18.150, and a judgment creditor may create a lien for the judgment in other
counties in the manner provided by ORS 18.152. [1997 c.801 §57; 1997 c.801 §58;
1999 c.195 §3; 1999 c.1095 §12; 2003 c.576 §92; 2003 c.737 §§77,78; 2007 c.339 §11;
2011 c.595 §119]
Note:
Section 8 (1) and (2), chapter
195, Oregon Laws 1999, provides:
Sec. 8.
(1) The amendments to ORS 18.350
by section 1 of this 1999 Act, and the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58,
chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, do not affect
any judgment docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488
(1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act [October 23, 1999].
Notwithstanding the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon
Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, any judgment entered in the small
claims department of a circuit court before the effective date of this 1999 Act
that was not docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488
(1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act may become a lien on
real property only in the manner provided by ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition).
(2) Any judgment
docketed before the effective date of this 1999 Act, including judgments
docketed under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition), that did not become
a lien on real property by reason of failure of the judgment creditor to file a
lien certificate with the court in the manner required by ORS 18.350 (4) to (9)
(1997 Edition) shall automatically become a lien on real property to the extent
described in ORS 18.350, as amended by section 1 of this 1999 Act, on January
1, 2000, and shall be considered in all respects as though the judgment had
been docketed on January 1, 2000. [1999 c.195 §8(1),(2); 1999 c.195 §8a(1),(2)]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Lien
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 46.488
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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