Chapter 17.2. Uniform Foreign-country Money Judgments Recognition Act · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceThis section limits Chapter 17.2 to foreign-country judgments that grant or deny a sum of money and are final, conclusive, and enforceable where rendered, excludes tax judgments, fines and penalties, and divorce, support, or other domestic-relations judgments, and places the burden on the party seeking recognition to prove the chapter applies.
Full Text of § 8.01-465.13:2
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A.Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, this chapter applies to a foreign-country judgment to the extent that the judgment: 1. Grants or denies recovery of a sum of money; and 2. Under the law of the foreign country where rendered, is final, conclusive, and enforceable. B. This chapter does not apply to a foreign-country judgment, even if the judgment grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, to the extent that the judgment is: 1. A judgment for taxes;
2.A fine or other penalty; or
3.A judgment for divorce, support, or maintenance, or other judgment rendered in connection with domestic relations.
C.A party seeking recognition of a foreign-country judgment has the burden of establishing that this chapter applies to the foreign-country judgment.
Plain-English Summary
Before the recognition standards in § 8.01-465.13:3 even come into play, a foreign-country judgment has to clear this section's gate. It must grant or deny recovery of a sum of money, and it must be final, conclusive, and enforceable under the law of the country where it was rendered.
Three categories fall outside the chapter no matter how money-related they look: judgments for taxes, fines or other penalties, and judgments for divorce, support, maintenance, or other matters connected to domestic relations. A creditor holding one of those judgments cannot use this chapter's recognition process, though § 8.01-465.13:10 leaves the door open to recognition through comity instead.
The section also assigns the burden of proof. A party seeking recognition of a foreign-country judgment carries the burden of showing the chapter applies at all — that the judgment awards or denies money, that it is final and enforceable abroad, and that it does not fall into one of the excluded categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What two things must a foreign-country judgment show to fall within this chapter?
That it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, and that under the law of the foreign country where rendered it is final, conclusive, and enforceable.
Are tax judgments covered by this chapter?
No, judgments for taxes are excluded even though they involve money.
Are fines or penalties covered?
No, a fine or other penalty is excluded under subsection B.
Are divorce or child support judgments covered?
No, judgments for divorce, support, or maintenance, or other judgments rendered in connection with domestic relations, are excluded.
Who has the burden of proving this chapter applies to a given judgment?
The party seeking recognition of the foreign-country judgment.
Amendment History
2014, c. 462.
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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