Every judgment shall, as soon as it is docketed, be indexed by the clerk in the name of each defendant, as required by § 17.1-249, and shall not be regarded as docketed as to any defendant in whose name it is not so indexed. The clerk may maintain such index on computer, word processor, microfilm, microfiche, or other micrographic process.
§ 8.01-450.How indexed.
Chapter 17. Judgments and Decrees Generally · Article 5. Keeping of Docket Books; Execution Thereon; Disposal of Exhibits · Last amended 1985 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceEvery judgment must be indexed by the clerk in each defendant’s name as soon as it is docketed, and a judgment is not considered docketed as to any defendant whose name it was not indexed under, though the clerk may maintain the index on computer, word processor, or a micrographic system.
Full Text of § 8.01-450
Plain-English Summary
Docketing alone is not enough to make a judgment bind a particular defendant’s real estate — Section 8.01-450 adds the indexing requirement that makes the docket searchable and, more importantly, effective. As soon as a judgment is docketed, the clerk must index it in the name of each defendant, following § 17.1-249.
That indexing step carries real weight: a judgment is treated as not docketed at all against any defendant whose name it was not indexed under. In other words, recording the judgment somewhere in the docket book is not what triggers the lien as to a particular person — being indexed under that person’s specific name is.
The section gives clerks flexibility in how they maintain that index, allowing computer systems, word processors, microfilm, microfiche, or other micrographic processes, as long as the index still functions to connect each defendant’s name to the judgment against him.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a judgment be indexed?
As soon as it is docketed, the clerk must index it in the name of each defendant.
What happens if a judgment is not indexed under a particular defendant’s name?
It is not regarded as docketed as to that defendant at all.
What section governs how the index itself is organized?
Section 17.1-249, which § 8.01-450 requires the clerk to follow.
Can a clerk maintain the judgment index electronically?
Yes, the clerk may maintain the index on computer, word processor, microfilm, microfiche, or other micrographic process.
Is docketing the same thing as indexing under this section?
No, indexing is a distinct step that must follow docketing, and it determines whether the judgment is effective against a given defendant.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-378; 1977, c. 617; 1985, c. 171.
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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