How Long Does a Judgment Last in Washington State?

A Washington judgment doesn't expire quickly. Under RCW 6.17.020, you have 10 years from the date of entry to collect — and you can extend that once for another 10 years, giving you a maximum enforcement window of 20 years.

That's a long time for circumstances to change. People who are judgment-proof today may buy a house, start a business, or land a well-paying job within that window.

The Initial 10-Year Window

From the moment the court enters your judgment, the clock starts. After the first 30 days, you can pursue enforcement tools such as garnishment, writs of execution, supplemental proceedings, and real property liens. Post-judgment interest accrues under RCW 4.56.110 during this period at the rate applicable to the judgment.

At a 12% rate, a $5,000 judgment accumulates $6,000 in simple interest over 10 years, making it worth $11,000 before enforcement costs. The financial pressure on the debtor increases every year they don't pay.

The 90-Day Extension Window

If 10 years is approaching and the judgment remains unsatisfied, you can file for a one-time, 10-year extension under RCW 6.17.020(3). But the timing is critical: you must file within the 90 days immediately before the applicable 10-year expiration date. For a District Court judgment transcribed to Superior Court, the 10-year period runs from the transcript filing date, and the extension application is filed in Superior Court.

File too early and the application is void. File after the 10-year mark and the judgment has already expired — no revival is possible. Mark your calendar for the window and don't cut it close.

Where to File the Extension

This depends on where your judgment sits:

If the judgment was never transcribed to Superior Court — File the extension application in the original District Court where the judgment is docketed.

If the judgment was transcribed to Superior Court — You must file the extension in Superior Court, not District Court. Under RCW 6.17.020(3), once a judgment is transcribed to Superior Court, the District Court version cannot be independently extended. The Superior Court filing fee for an extension is $200 under RCW 36.18.016(14).

This catches people off guard. If you placed a real property lien by transcribing to Superior Court, your extension must happen there — and at a significantly higher fee than a District Court filing.

What the Extension Does

Once granted, the extension gives you another full 10 years of enforcement authority. All collection tools remain available: garnishments, writs of execution, supplemental proceedings, liens. Interest continues accruing at the statutory rate.

No further extensions are allowed beyond the second 10-year term. After 20 total years, the judgment expires permanently.

Practical Strategy

If the debtor is currently judgment-proof — no wages to garnish, no bank accounts to reach, no property to lien — you still have options during the 10-year window:

• File a property lien if they own anything, even with protected equity. Property values rise over time.
• Run supplemental proceedings every year or two to check whether their financial situation has changed.
• Monitor public records — county assessor filings, Secretary of State business registrations, and court records can reveal new assets without the cost of supplemental proceedings.

The judgment isn't going anywhere. At an applicable 12% annual interest rate, the longer the debtor waits, the more they owe.

The Washington judgment collection guide includes a timeline tracker and extension deadline calculator so you never miss the 90-day renewal window.

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