(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), nothing in this chapter affects any right a judgment creditor may have to bring an action to enforce a sister state judgment.
§ 1710.60.Action to Enforce Sister State Judgment
Title 11. Money Judgments of Other Jurisdictions · Chapter 1. Sister State Money Judgments · Enacted 1974 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1710.60 preserves a judgment creditor's right to bring an ordinary lawsuit to enforce a sister state judgment instead of registering it, except that once registration has already produced a California judgment on that same debt, a separate enforcement action is no longer available.
Full Text of § 1710.60
(b) No action to enforce a sister state judgment may be brought where a judgment based on such sister state judgment has previously been entered pursuant to this chapter.
Plain-English Summary
Registration under this chapter is a convenience, not a requirement, and this section keeps the older path open. A judgment creditor remains free to file an ordinary civil action to enforce a sister state judgment rather than using this chapter's streamlined application process, giving creditors the choice of whichever route suits their situation better.
That choice runs out once registration has already succeeded. If a California judgment based on the sister state judgment has already been entered under this chapter, the creditor cannot then also bring a separate enforcement action on the same debt. The two paths are alternatives to reaching the same result, not tools to be used one after the other on the same claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a creditor have to use this chapter's registration process?
No. Section 1710.60 preserves the option of filing an ordinary lawsuit to enforce a sister state judgment instead.
Can a creditor sue on the judgment after already registering it?
No. Once a California judgment has been entered through registration, a separate action to enforce the same sister state judgment is no longer available.
Why would a creditor choose to sue rather than register?
A creditor might prefer an ordinary action if it wants to pursue additional relief or claims the registration process does not reach, though it gives up the speed registration offers.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 211.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: suing on sister state judgment instead of registeringalternative to sister state judgment registration