An abstract of any judgment shall, upon request to the clerk of the court wherein the judgment is rendered, be granted to any person interested immediately upon its rendition, subject to the future action of the court rendering the same.
§ 8.01-461.Abstracts of judgments.
Chapter 17. Judgments and Decrees Generally · Article 7. Lien and Enforcement Thereof · Last amended 1982 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceAny person interested in a judgment may request and receive an abstract of it from the clerk of the rendering court immediately upon its rendition, subject to whatever the court might still do with the case afterward.
Full Text of § 8.01-461
Plain-English Summary
An abstract is what a creditor needs to carry a judgment from the court that rendered it into the judgment lien docket of another county or city — and Section 8.01-461 makes sure that document is available right away rather than tangled up in administrative delay. Any person interested may request one from the clerk of the court where the judgment was rendered.
That abstract must be furnished immediately upon rendition of the judgment, letting a creditor move quickly to docket it wherever the debtor holds real estate. The section builds in one qualification: the abstract, and the judgment it reflects, remain subject to whatever future action the rendering court might still take in the case — an abstract issued right away does not freeze the judgment against later court action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request an abstract of a judgment?
Any person interested in the judgment.
How quickly must the clerk provide the abstract?
Immediately upon the judgment’s rendition, upon request.
Does receiving an abstract mean the judgment can never be changed by the court?
No, the abstract remains subject to the future action of the court that rendered the judgment.
Why would someone want an abstract of a judgment right away?
To use it in docketing the judgment in another clerk’s office to establish a lien there, which requires exactly this kind of authenticated abstract.
Which court’s clerk issues the abstract?
The clerk of the court wherein the judgment is rendered.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-389; 1977, c. 617; 1982, c. 105.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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