How to File a Satisfaction of Judgment in New Hampshire

You Must Formally Close the Case

When the debtor pays the judgment in full — whether through voluntary payments, court-ordered installments, or enforcement recovery — the case is not automatically closed. You, as the judgment creditor, are legally required to notify the court and release any liens you recorded. Simply maintaining an internal ledger showing a zero balance does not clear the court docket or remove encumbrances from the debtor's property.

Step-by-Step: Filing Satisfaction

Step 1: Verify full payment. Confirm that the debtor has paid the complete balance — original judgment principal, approved court costs, accrued post-judgment interest under RSA 336:1, and any sheriff service fees added during enforcement. Keep copies of all payment receipts, canceled checks, or certified funds records.

Step 2: File a notice of satisfaction with the court. Submit a written notification to the District Division clerk certifying that the judgment has been paid in full. This can be e-filed through TurboCourt or mailed to the court.

Step 3: Execute release documents. Simultaneously deliver formal release of attachment or lien documents to the debtor so they can clear their records.

Step 4: Record the discharge at the Registry of Deeds. If you recorded a judgment lien against the debtor's real estate, the lien must be formally released. The debtor takes the court-issued discharge order to the appropriate county Registry of Deeds and pays local recording fees to remove the cloud on title.

What If the Creditor Does Not Deliver the Discharge

If you receive full payment and fail to deliver the discharge within 30 days after receiving the debtor's request, the debtor can file a Request for Court Ordered Discharge (Form NHJB-2595-De) under RSA 524:13, VI(a). The court may issue a discharge after receiving proof of full payment — such as a canceled check or certified funds receipt. The debtor then records that court order at the Registry of Deeds.

Dragging your feet on filing satisfaction after full payment exposes you to potential judicial sanctions. Once you are paid, clear the record promptly.

Partial Satisfaction

If the debtor makes a substantial partial payment and you agree to accept it as full settlement, document the agreement in writing. Use the official Agreement Form (NHJB-2202-DFPe) or Agreement for Payments (NHJB-2857-De) and file it with the clerk. Make sure the agreement states clearly that it constitutes full and final satisfaction so neither party disputes the balance later.

Interest Calculation at the Time of Satisfaction

Before accepting a final payment, calculate the exact amount owed through the payment date. Post-judgment interest at 5.7% (2026 rate under RSA 336:1, II) accrues until the date of full payment, not the date you last ran the numbers. A debtor who pays two weeks after your last calculation owes two more weeks of simple interest on the outstanding balance.

For a complete guide to every stage of judgment collection in New Hampshire — from the first enforcement motion through the final satisfaction filing — see our Collecting a Small Claims Judgment in New Hampshire guide.

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