How to Close a Small Claims Case in Vermont After the Judgment Is Paid

The 21-Day Filing Requirement

Once your Vermont small claims judgment is fully paid — whether through voluntary payment, wage garnishment, bank levy, or auction proceeds — you're required to notify the court. The creditor must file written confirmation within 21 calendar days of receiving final payment.

This isn't optional. Failing to file can lead to the debtor requesting the court intervene, and you don't want to be the one explaining the delay.

Filing Form 100-00290

Complete and file the Notification by Plaintiff (Judgment Creditor) Judgment Has Been Paid in Full (Form 100-00290) with the Civil Division clerk, along with a Certificate of Service — Small Claims (Form 100-00260) proving you served a copy on the debtor.

There's no filing fee for the satisfaction notification.

The clerk updates the docket to show the judgment is fully satisfied.

If the Creditor Doesn't File

The debtor has a remedy. They can submit a written request to the court clerk asking that the judgment be marked paid. The court then sends formal notice to you, setting a 21-day response window.

If you file no written objection within those 21 days, the clerk updates the docket to show the judgment paid in full.

If you object in writing — because the debtor still owes a balance, for example — the court schedules an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the full amount has been satisfied.

Releasing Judgment Liens

If you previously recorded a judgment lien in municipal land records, the satisfaction filing alone doesn't clear the title. You need to record a formal release of lien with the town clerk in every municipality where you recorded the judgment.

This is the last administrative step. Until you do it, the debtor's property title still shows the recorded encumbrance, which can complicate sales and refinancing even after the debt is paid.

Partial Payments and Disputes

If you've been tracking partial payments and accrued interest, keep your ledger current through the final payment. The court may request it if there's any dispute about whether the balance has been fully satisfied.

The Vermont judgment collection guide walks through the complete process from enforcement through case closure, including the satisfaction forms and lien release steps.

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