If the court in a proceeding under Section 1718 finds that the foreign-country judgment is entitled to recognition under this chapter then, to the extent that the foreign-country judgment grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, the foreign-country judgment is both of the following:
§ 1719.Conclusive Effect of Judgment; Enforcement
Title 11. Money Judgments of Other Jurisdictions · Chapter 2. Foreign-Country Money Judgments · Enacted 2007 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1719 provides that a foreign-country judgment found entitled to recognition is, as to any money it grants or denies, conclusive between the parties to the same extent as a sister state judgment entitled to full faith and credit, and enforceable the same way as a California judgment.
Full Text of § 1719
(a) Conclusive between the parties to the same extent as the judgment of a sister state entitled to full faith and credit in this state would be conclusive.
(b) Enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as a judgment rendered in this state.
Plain-English Summary
Recognition is not just a label; this section spells out what recognition accomplishes in practice. Once a court finds the foreign-country judgment entitled to recognition under this chapter, its money-award or money-denial portion becomes conclusive between the parties to the same degree a sister state judgment would be, drawing a direct comparison to the full faith and credit standard that already governs interstate judgments.
Recognition also makes the judgment enforceable, not just conclusive. The judgment can be enforced in the same manner and to the same extent as a judgment originally rendered by a California court, giving the party who obtained the foreign judgment access to the same collection tools available to any other judgment creditor in this state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens once a foreign-country judgment is recognized under this chapter?
Its money award or denial becomes conclusive between the parties, and it becomes enforceable, to the same extent as a California judgment.
How does the “conclusive” effect of a recognized foreign judgment compare to a sister state judgment?
Section 1719 measures it against the same standard: conclusive to the same extent a sister state judgment entitled to full faith and credit would be.
Does the recognized judgment need any further steps before it can be enforced?
No additional recognition step is required; it is enforceable the same way any California judgment is, subject to ordinary enforcement procedures.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2007 ch 212 (SB 639),s 2, eff. 1/1/2008.
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: effect of recognized foreign judgment californiaenforcing recognized foreign country judgment