815.64.Judgment lien, how discharged on redemption.
Ch. 815: Executions · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 815.64 requires whoever received redemption money for execution-sale land to give the redeemer a witnessed certificate describing the redemption, and lets that certificate, once recorded, serve as presumptive evidence that the land was redeemed free of the judgment lien.
(1)When any judgment debtor or person claiming under the judgment debtor has redeemed the lands or any part of or interest in the lands sold on execution the person or officer to whom the redemption money was paid shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the redeemer a certificate, attested by 2 witnesses, containing all of the following:
(a)A statement of the fact of the redemption.
(b)The date of the redemption.
(c)The amount of money paid to redeem the lands or interests in lands.
(d)A description of the lands or interests in the lands so redeemed.
(2)A certificate executed under sub. (1) may be recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which the lands are situated, and shall be presumptive evidence of the redemption of the lands described in the certificate from the execution sale and from the lien of the judgment by virtue of which the execution sale was made.
Plain-English Summary
Redeeming land sold on execution needs proof that survives the transaction. Section 815.64 requires the person or officer who received the redemption money to execute, acknowledge, and deliver a certificate to the redeemer, attested by two witnesses. That certificate must state the fact of the redemption, the date it occurred, the amount paid, and a description of the lands or interests redeemed.
Once issued, the certificate is not just a private receipt. The redeemer may record it in the register of deeds office for the county where the land is situated, and once recorded, it stands as presumptive evidence of the redemption — evidence that the land has been freed from the execution sale and from the lien of the judgment that led to the sale in the first place. That protects the redeemer against later disputes over whether the redemption happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof do I get after redeeming land sold at a Wisconsin execution sale?
Section 815.64 requires whoever received your redemption money to give you a certificate, attested by two witnesses, stating the fact and date of redemption, the amount paid, and a description of the land redeemed.
Do I need to do anything with the certificate to protect my redemption?
You may record it. Section 815.64 lets the certificate be recorded in the register of deeds office of the county where the land is located.
What effect does recording the certificate have?
Once recorded, section 815.64 makes the certificate presumptive evidence of the redemption from the execution sale and from the lien of the judgment behind it.
What information must the certificate contain?
Section 815.64 requires a statement of the fact of redemption, the date of redemption, the amount of money paid, and a description of the lands or interests redeemed.
Who is responsible for creating this certificate?
Section 815.64 places that duty on the person or officer to whom the redemption money was paid.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 815.64; 1993 a. 486; 1997 a. 254.
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:wisconsin redemption certificate execution saleproof of redemption real estate wisconsinrecording redemption certificate register of deedspresumptive evidence redemption wisconsin statute