Skip to content
ClosingCodeClosingCode
ENES

Pennsylvania · TitlePennsylvania judgment liens: entered in the county where the land lies, revived within five years

In Pennsylvania a judgment or other order of a court of common pleas for the payment of money becomes a lien on real property, on the conditions, to the extent and with the priority provided by statute or general rule, when it's entered of record in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county where the property is located (42 Pa.C.S. §4303(a)). A judgment that is a lien in one county becomes a lien in another county to the same extent once the transfer and filing procedures prescribed by general rule are followed (§4303(c)). An action for revival of a judgment lien on real property must be commenced within five years (42 Pa.C.S. §5526(1)). The judgment search runs through the county's court records, not only the recorder of deeds.

What the statutes set

  1. Lien (§4303(a))

    On entry of record with the clerk of the court of common pleas in the county.

  2. Other counties (§4303(c))

    By transfer and filing under general rule.

  3. Revival (§5526(1))

    An action to revive the lien must be commenced within five years.

  4. Search

    County court records, alongside the recorder of deeds.

What the TC checks when a Pennsylvania title search shows a judgment

  • Note each judgment's entry date and any revival of record.
  • Request the creditor's payoff and a satisfaction before closing.
  • Confirm the satisfaction is entered in the same county court records as the judgment.

Questions about Pennsylvania judgment liens

When does a Pennsylvania judgment become a lien on a house?

When it's entered of record with the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county where the house is (42 Pa.C.S. §4303(a)).

How long can a Pennsylvania judgment lien be revived?

An action for revival of a judgment lien on real property must be commenced within five years (42 Pa.C.S. §5526(1)).

Related guides

Track judgment payoffs and recorded satisfactions as tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

Start free trial

Sources: 42 Pa.C.S. §§4303, 5526 (palegis.us), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.