As used in this article the following definitions shall be applicable.
§ 5301.Definitions.
Article 53. Recognition of Foreign Country Money Judgments · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 5301 defines “foreign country” to exclude the United States, its states and territories, and any government whose judgments are already subject to the Full Faith and Credit Clause, and defines a “foreign country judgment” as a judgment of such a government's court.
Full Text of CPLR 5301
(a) Foreign country. “Foreign country” means a government other than: 1. the United States; 2. a state, district, commonwealth, territory or insular possession of the United States; or 3. any other government with regard to which the decision in this state as to whether to recognize a judgment of that government’s courts is initially subject to determination under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution.
(b) Foreign country judgment. “Foreign country judgment” means a judgment of a court of a foreign country.
Plain-English Summary
Before Article 53's recognition rules can apply, a court has to know what counts as a “foreign country” in the first place. This section draws that line. A foreign country is any government other than the United States itself, a state, district, commonwealth, territory, or insular possession of the United States, or any other government whose judgments are already governed by the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the federal Constitution.
A “foreign country judgment,” in turn, is a judgment rendered by a court of a government that meets that definition. The distinction matters because a judgment from a sister state doesn't need this article at all — full faith and credit already handles it. Article 53's recognition procedure, and the grounds for refusing recognition in CPLR 5304, apply only to judgments from governments outside that constitutional framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Article 53 apply to a judgment from another U.S. state?
No. A sister-state judgment falls under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, not this article's definition of a “foreign country” judgment.
What is a “foreign country” under CPLR 5301?
Any government other than the United States, a state or territory of the United States, or a government whose judgments already receive full faith and credit here.
What counts as a “foreign country judgment”?
A judgment rendered by a court of a government that meets the definition of “foreign country” in CPLR 5301.
Why does the statute define these terms separately from ordinary usage?
To mark the boundary between Article 53's recognition procedure and other bodies of law, like full faith and credit, that govern judgments from U.S. jurisdictions.
Does this definition cover a judgment from a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?
No. Territories and insular possessions of the United States are expressly excluded from the definition of “foreign country.”
Amendment History
Add, L 1970, ch 981, § 1, eff Sept 1, 1970; amd, L 1979, ch 119, § 1, eff Jan 1, 1980; L 2021, ch 127, § 2, effective June 11, 2021.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
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