Refer to F.S. chapter 55.501-55.509

Depending on the customer’s objective, this may be either a 1-step process or a 2-step process. 

Registering a Foreign Judgment to Establish a Lien or for Future Enforcement (step 1)

• To establish a Foreign Judgment as a lien, you must record a certified copy of the out of state judgment and an original notarized affidavit. The affidavit must comply with the requirements set forth in F.S. 55.505. Payment of a service fee of $42.00, copy fees, registered mailing fees and all applicable recording fees is required. 
• After recording, the Recording Clerk will mail notice of the recording to the judgment debtor by registered mail with return receipt requested. 
• If the judgment debtor does not file an action contesting the registration and recording of the foreign judgment within 30 days, then it will become a judgment lien.

Enforcing the Foreign Judgment (step 2)

• If the judgment debtor has not filed an action to contest the Foreign Judgment within 30 days of the Recording Clerk’s mailing, the judgment creditor may file a case in the appropriate court type for enforcement.
• Filing fees are based on the amount of the judgment. 
• The judgment creditor needs to include the recorded Foreign Judgment and recorded Affidavit as their initiating documents.

Contesting the Foreign Judgment

Pursuant to F.S. 55.509, The judgment debtor may file a legal action and pay the appropriate filing fees, based on the amount of the judgment, to contest the Foreign Judgment.  If a legal action is filed, it will stay enforcement of the Foreign Judgment until the court makes a determination.  

Refer to F.S. 92.251 

Pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act, parties requesting that the clerk issue a subpoena for a foreign case should submit the following to the Clerk’s Circuit Civil Division:

• Notice of Taking Deposition or for Production of Documents.
• A copy of the foreign subpoena.
• An unissued Florida-styled subpoena that incorporates the terms used in the foreign subpoena and contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all counsel of record and any party not represented by counsel in the proceeding.
• Fee of $7.00 made payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County.

Mail the above listed items to the attention of the Circuit Civil Division at P.O. Box 4667, West Palm Beach, Fl. 33402 along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope. Foreign subpoenas can also be issued over the counter in the Circuit Civil department. 

Helpful Tip: Please use one of the Florida-styled subpoenas for your submission. Select the “Forms” page to access these free forms.

Criminal Witness Extradition: 
Please refer to F.S. 942

Refer to the Florida Rules of General Practice & Judicial Administration 2.510 and the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 1-3.10

• To appear pro hac vice in Florida your first step is to apply through the Florida Bar. Use the link below to start the process, review detailed instructions, access required forms, fee information, FAQ’s and a phone number to call with questions. 
  Unlicensed Practice – Limited Appearance in Florida – The Florida Bar
• Once the Bar assigns a “PHV number” the attorney will need to register with the Florida eFiling Portal in order to file the Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You may access the ePortal here:
  Florida Courts E-Filing Portal | File Court Documents Online
• Once registered with the eFiling Portal, submit your motion to appear pro hac vice through the portal and pay the Clerk’s filing fee of $100. Please note: This filing fee is separate from the fee that the Florida Bar requires.