ORS 46.488: Lien effect of small claims judgments.

(1) A judgment creditor may not create a judgment lien for a judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court if the money award is less than $10, exclusive of costs and disbursements. A judgment creditor may create a judgment lien for a judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court in an amount of $10 or more and less than $3,000, exclusive of costs and disbursements, only as provided in subsection (3) of this section. (2) If a judgment is rendered in the small claims department in an amount of $3,000 or more, the clerk shall note in the register of the circuit court that the judgment creates a judgment lien if the judgment otherwise complies with the requirements of ORS chapter 18 for creating a judgment lien. A judgment creditor may create a lien for the judgment in other counties in the manner provided by ORS 18.152. (3) When a judgment is entered in the small claims department in an amount of $10 or more and less than $3,000, exclusive of costs or disbursements, a judgment creditor may at any time before expiration of judgment remedies for the judgment under ORS 18.180 create a judgment lien for the judgment by paying to the clerk of the court that entered the judgment the fees established under ORS 21.235 (1)(a) and requesting that the clerk of the court note in the register and in the judgment lien record that the judgment creates a judgment lien. Upon receipt of the fees and request for creating a judgment lien, the clerk shall note in the register that the judgment creates a judgment lien. Upon entry of the notation in the register, the judgment creates a lien as described in ORS 18.150, and a judgment creditor may create a lien for the judgment in other counties in the manner provided by ORS 18.152. [1997 c.801 §57; 1997 c.801 §58; 1999 c.195 §3; 1999 c.1095 §12; 2003 c.576 §92; 2003 c.737 §§77,78; 2007 c.339 §11; 2011 c.595 §119] Sec. 8. (1) The amendments to ORS 18.350 by section 1 of this 1999 Act, and the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, do not affect any judgment docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act [October 23, 1999]. Notwithstanding the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, any judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court before the effective date of this 1999 Act that was not docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act may become a lien on real property only in the manner provided by ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition). (2) Any judgment docketed before the effective date of this 1999 Act, including judgments docketed under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition), that did not become a lien on real property by reason of failure of the judgment creditor to file a lien certificate with the court in the manner required by ORS 18.350 (4) to (9) (1997 Edition) shall automatically become a lien on real property to the extent described in ORS 18.350, as amended by section 1 of this 1999 Act, on January 1, 2000, and shall be considered in all respects as though the judgment had been docketed on January 1, 2000. [1999 c.195 §8(1),(2); 1999 c.195 §8a(1),(2)]