How to File a Satisfaction of Judgment in South Carolina

When the debtor pays your judgment in full — principal, court costs, and accrued interest — the case is not over yet. You have a legal obligation to formally record the satisfaction and clear the judgment from the court's records. Skipping this step can expose you to liability and leave the debtor's credit and property title unfairly encumbered.

Why It Matters

An unsatisfied judgment stays on the record. If you docketed a transcript in the Court of Common Pleas, the judgment lien remains on the debtor's real estate until you file a formal release. That means the debtor cannot sell or refinance their property with a clean title — even though they have already paid you.

Failure to record a satisfaction after receiving full payment can result in civil liability for slander of title. If the unreleased lien interferes with a real estate transaction, you could be on the hook for the debtor's damages.

Filing in Magistrate Court

For the original magistrate court judgment, use Form SCCA/710 (Satisfaction of Judgment). This is a one-page form available from the South Carolina Judicial Branch forms repository.

Complete the form with:

• The case number and court location
• The names of the parties
• The date the judgment was originally entered
• The total amount satisfied (principal, costs, and interest)
• Your signature as the judgment creditor

File the completed form with the magistrate court clerk where the judgment was entered.

Filing in Circuit Court

If you transcribed the judgment and docketed it with the Clerk of Court for the Court of Common Pleas, you must also file a certified Satisfaction of Judgment there. The clerk records the cancellation under S.C. Code § 15-35-650, clearing the judgment lien created under § 15-35-810.

If you docketed transcripts in multiple counties to encumber real estate in different locations, you need to file a satisfaction in every county where a transcript was docketed. Otherwise, the lien persists in those counties even though the debt is paid.

Partial Satisfaction

If the debtor pays only a portion of the judgment and you agree to release the remaining balance — perhaps as part of a negotiated settlement — document in writing whether the remaining balance is forgiven. Confirm with the court clerk how to record that cancellation before filing.

Timing

File the satisfaction promptly after receiving full payment, particularly if there is a real estate transaction pending. Be prepared to file it once you receive confirmed funds.

Keep Your Records

Before filing the satisfaction, make sure your own accounting is complete. Verify that the payment covers the full principal balance, all awarded court costs, and post-judgment interest calculated through the payment date at the applicable statutory rate (10.75% for January 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027, under S.C. Code § 34-31-20). A satisfaction records that the judgment has been paid, so complete the accounting first.

The South Carolina Judgment Collection Guide includes a payment accounting ledger and satisfaction checklist that tracks every partial payment, interest accrual, and fee — so you know exactly when the judgment is fully satisfied and can file with confidence.

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