{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-3101.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-3101.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-3101.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-3101.html"}],"law_id":86145,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86145,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3101","catch_line":"Release of judgment lien by settlement agent; notice to lien creditor","history":"2023, c. 550.","full_text":"A\n\nA settlement agent may release property from a judgment lien in accordance with the provisions of this section if (i) the settlement agent has made a written request for a payoff amount from the lien creditor and his counsel of record, if any, as reflected in the judgment, judgment abstract, or any certificate of extension filed in the land records; (ii) the lien creditor (a) has not responded to such request within 15 days or (b) is unable to be located by the settlement agent after attempts at notice are made as provided in subsection B; (iii) the settlement agent has delivered or attempted to deliver a notice of intent to release pursuant to subsection C and the lien creditor has not responded as required by this section; and (iv) the owner of the property attests in an affidavit that (a) the owner has paid all or a portion of the judgment but in good faith does not have knowledge of the judgment balance or (b) the owner is not the judgment debtor and has no knowledge of the judgment balance. In such affidavit, such owner shall attest that he has exercised due diligence to locate the creditor and obtain a payoff amount, if the judgment is outstanding, and that all attempts to reach such creditor have been unsuccessful.B\n\nA settlement agent intending to release a specific piece of property from a judgment lien pursuant to this section shall deliver or attempt to deliver to the lien creditor and his counsel of record, if any, by certified mail, commercial overnight delivery service, or the United States Postal Service, a notice of intent to release and a copy of the release to be recorded.C\n\nThe notice of intent to release shall contain (i) the name and current contact information of the settlement agent; (ii) a copy of the recorded judgment or judgment abstract and a copy of any related recorded assignment or notice of assignment of the judgment; and (iii) the street address, tax parcel number, or other identifying information for the property that is the subject of the release. The notice of intent to release shall conform substantially to the following form:\n\t\t\tNOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE\n\t\t\t(Date of notice)\n\t\t\tNotice is hereby given to you concerning the judgment lien described on the certificate of release, a copy of which is attached to this notice, as follows:1\n\nThe settlement agent identified below made a written request more than 15 days ago for payoff amounts related to the judgment lien cited in the attached recorded abstract of judgment incident to the conveyance or encumbrance of certain property identified below. Said payoff has not been provided as of the date of this notice.2\n\nThe undersigned will release only the property from the judgment lien described in this notice unless, within 30 days from the date of notice, the lien creditor sends to the undersigned by (i) certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) commercial delivery service for same day or next business day delivery; (iii) the United States Postal Service for next business day delivery; or (iv) electronic mail or facsimile transmittal to the electronic mail address or fax number provided by the settlement agent a notice stating that the lien creditor objects to the release of the property from the judgment lien without payment to the lien creditor and provides a complete payoff amount. Notice shall be sent to the address stated on this form.\n\t\t\t\t(Name of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Virginia RESA registration number of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Address of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Telephone number, fax number, and email address of settlement agent)D\n\nFor the purposes of this chapter, a settlement agent shall maintain, for the lifetime of the judgement lien, all documents related to exercising due diligence to locate the creditor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":308566,"text":"A settlement agent may release property from a judgment lien in accordance with the provisions of this section if (i) the settlement agent has made a written request for a payoff amount from the lien creditor and his counsel of record, if any, as reflected in the judgment, judgment abstract, or any certificate of extension filed in the land records; (ii) the lien creditor (a) has not responded to such request within 15 days or (b) is unable to be located by the settlement agent after attempts at notice are made as provided in subsection B; (iii) the settlement agent has delivered or attempted to deliver a notice of intent to release pursuant to subsection C and the lien creditor has not responded as required by this section; and (iv) the owner of the property attests in an affidavit that (a) the owner has paid all or a portion of the judgment but in good faith does not have knowledge of the judgment balance or (b) the owner is not the judgment debtor and has no knowledge of the judgment balance. In such affidavit, such owner shall attest that he has exercised due diligence to locate the creditor and obtain a payoff amount, if the judgment is outstanding, and that all attempts to reach such creditor have been unsuccessful.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":308567,"text":"A settlement agent intending to release a specific piece of property from a judgment lien pursuant to this section shall deliver or attempt to deliver to the lien creditor and his counsel of record, if any, by certified mail, commercial overnight delivery service, or the United States Postal Service, a notice of intent to release and a copy of the release to be recorded.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":308568,"text":"The notice of intent to release shall contain (i) the name and current contact information of the settlement agent; (ii) a copy of the recorded judgment or judgment abstract and a copy of any related recorded assignment or notice of assignment of the judgment; and (iii) the street address, tax parcel number, or other identifying information for the property that is the subject of the release. The notice of intent to release shall conform substantially to the following form:\n\t\t\tNOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE\n\t\t\t(Date of notice)\n\t\t\tNotice is hereby given to you concerning the judgment lien described on the certificate of release, a copy of which is attached to this notice, as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":308569,"text":"The settlement agent identified below made a written request more than 15 days ago for payoff amounts related to the judgment lien cited in the attached recorded abstract of judgment incident to the conveyance or encumbrance of certain property identified below. Said payoff has not been provided as of the date of this notice.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":308570,"text":"The undersigned will release only the property from the judgment lien described in this notice unless, within 30 days from the date of notice, the lien creditor sends to the undersigned by (i) certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) commercial delivery service for same day or next business day delivery; (iii) the United States Postal Service for next business day delivery; or (iv) electronic mail or facsimile transmittal to the electronic mail address or fax number provided by the settlement agent a notice stating that the lien creditor objects to the release of the property from the judgment lien without payment to the lien creditor and provides a complete payoff amount. Notice shall be sent to the address stated on this form.\n\t\t\t\t(Name of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Virginia RESA registration number of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Address of settlement agent)\n\t\t\t\t(Telephone number, fax number, and email address of settlement agent)","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":308571,"text":"For the purposes of this chapter, a settlement agent shall maintain, for the lifetime of the judgement lien, all documents related to exercising due diligence to locate the creditor.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14005,"edition_id":1,"name":"Release of Specific Property from Judgment Liens","identifier":"31","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12708,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:35","permalink":{"id":248421,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14005,"identifier":"31","token":"55.1\/V\/31","url":"\/55.1\/V\/31\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12708,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":247771,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12708,"identifier":"V","token":"55.1\/V","url":"\/55.1\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":86492,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3100","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-3100\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3100","metadata":false},{"id":86145,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3101","catch_line":"Release of judgment lien by settlement agent; notice to lien creditor","url":"\/55.1-3101\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3101","metadata":false},{"id":70828,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3102","catch_line":"Certificate of release and affidavit of settlement agent","url":"\/55.1-3102\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3102","metadata":false},{"id":72001,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3103","catch_line":"Effect of filing of certificate of release","url":"\/55.1-3103\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3103","metadata":false},{"id":55092,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3104","catch_line":"Liability for execution, filing, recording wrongful or erroneous certificate","url":"\/55.1-3104\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3104","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86492,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3100","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-3100\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3100","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":70828,"structure_id":14005,"section_number":"55.1-3102","catch_line":"Certificate of release and affidavit of settlement agent","url":"\/55.1-3102\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3102","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-3101\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 550<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70828,"section_number":"55.1-3102","catch_line":"Certificate of release and affidavit of settlement agent","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-3102\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":248427,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86145,"identifier":"55.1-3101","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3101","url":"\/55.1-3101\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-3101\/","token":"55.1\/V\/31\/55.1-3101","dublin_core":{"Title":"Release of judgment lien by settlement agent; notice to lien creditor","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-3101","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A settlement agent<\/span> may release property<\/span> from a judgment lien<\/span> in accordance with the provisions of this section if (i) the settlement agent<\/span> has made a written request for a payoff amount from the lien creditor<\/span> and his counsel<\/span> of record, if any, as reflected in the judgment, judgment abstract, or any certificate of extension filed in the land records; (ii) the lien creditor<\/span> (a) has not responded to such request within 15 days or (b) is unable to be located by the settlement agent<\/span> after attempts at notice<\/span> are made as provided in subsection B; (iii) the settlement agent<\/span> has delivered or attempted to deliver a notice<\/span> of intent<\/span> to release pursuant to subsection C and the lien creditor<\/span> has not responded as required by this section; and (iv) the owner of the property<\/span> attests in an affidavit<\/span> that (a) the owner has paid all or a portion of the judgment but in good faith does not have knowledge of the judgment balance or (b) the owner is not the judgment debtor<\/span> and has no knowledge of the judgment balance. In such affidavit<\/span>, such owner shall attest that he has exercised due diligence to locate the creditor and obtain a payoff amount, if the judgment is outstanding, and that all attempts to reach such creditor have been unsuccessful. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A settlement agent<\/span> intending to release a specific piece of property<\/span> from a judgment lien<\/span> pursuant to this section shall deliver or attempt to deliver to the lien creditor<\/span> and his counsel<\/span> of record, if any, by certified mail, commercial overnight delivery service, or the United States Postal Service, a notice<\/span> of intent<\/span> to release and a copy of the release to be recorded. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The notice of intent<\/span> to release shall contain (i) the name and current contact information of the settlement agent<\/span>; (ii) a copy of the recorded judgment or judgment abstract and a copy of any related recorded assignment or notice of assignment of the judgment; and (iii) the street address, tax parcel number, or other identifying information for the property<\/span> that is the subject of the release. The notice of intent<\/span> to release shall conform substantially to the following form:\n\t\t\tNOTICE OF INTENT<\/span> TO RELEASE\n\t\t\t(Date of notice<\/span>)\n\t\t\tNotice is hereby given to you concerning the judgment lien<\/span> described on the certificate of release, a copy of which is attached to this notice, as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The settlement agent<\/span> identified below made a written request more than 15 days ago for payoff amounts related to the judgment lien<\/span> cited in the attached recorded abstract of judgment incident to the conveyance or encumbrance of certain property<\/span> identified below. Said payoff has not been provided as of the date of this notice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The undersigned will release only the property<\/span> from the judgment lien<\/span> described in this notice unless, within 30 days from the date of notice<\/span>, the lien creditor<\/span> sends to the undersigned by (i) certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) commercial delivery service for same day or next business day delivery; (iii) the United States Postal Service for next business day delivery; or (iv) electronic mail or facsimile transmittal to the electronic mail address or fax number provided by the settlement agent<\/span> a notice stating that the lien creditor<\/span> objects<\/span> to the release of the property<\/span> from the judgment lien<\/span> without payment to the lien creditor<\/span> and provides a complete payoff amount. Notice shall be sent to the address stated on this form.\n\t\t\t\t(Name of settlement agent<\/span>)\n\t\t\t\t(Virginia RESA registration number of settlement agent<\/span>)\n\t\t\t\t(Address of settlement agent<\/span>)\n\t\t\t\t(Telephone number, fax number, and email address of settlement agent<\/span>) <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For the purposes of this chapter, a settlement agent<\/span> shall maintain, for the lifetime of the judgement lien, all documents related to exercising due diligence to locate the creditor. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRELEASE OF JUDGMENT LIEN BY SETTLEMENT AGENT; NOTICE TO LIEN CREDITOR (\u00a7\n55.1-3101)\n\nA. A settlement agent may release property from a judgment lien in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section if (i) the settlement agent has made a\nwritten request for a payoff amount from the lien creditor and his counsel of\nrecord, if any, as reflected in the judgment, judgment abstract, or any\ncertificate of extension filed in the land records; (ii) the lien creditor (a)\nhas not responded to such request within 15 days or (b) is unable to be located\nby the settlement agent after attempts at notice are made as provided in\nsubsection B; (iii) the settlement agent has delivered or attempted to deliver a\nnotice of intent to release pursuant to subsection C and the lien creditor has\nnot responded as required by this section; and (iv) the owner of the property\nattests in an affidavit that (a) the owner has paid all or a portion of the\njudgment but in good faith does not have knowledge of the judgment balance or\n(b) the owner is not the judgment debtor and has no knowledge of the judgment\nbalance. In such affidavit, such owner shall attest that he has exercised due\ndiligence to locate the creditor and obtain a payoff amount, if the judgment is\noutstanding, and that all attempts to reach such creditor have been\nunsuccessful.\n\nB. A settlement agent intending to release a specific piece of property from a\njudgment lien pursuant to this section shall deliver or attempt to deliver to\nthe lien creditor and his counsel of record, if any, by certified mail,\ncommercial overnight delivery service, or the United States Postal Service, a\nnotice of intent to release and a copy of the release to be recorded.\n\nC. The notice of intent to release shall contain (i) the name and current\ncontact information of the settlement agent; (ii) a copy of the recorded\njudgment or judgment abstract and a copy of any related recorded assignment or\nnotice of assignment of the judgment; and (iii) the street address, tax parcel\nnumber, or other identifying information for the property that is the subject of\nthe release. The notice of intent to release shall conform substantially to the\nfollowing form:\n\t\t\tNOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE\n\t\t\t(Date of notice)\n\t\t\tNotice is hereby given to you concerning the judgment lien described on the\ncertificate of release, a copy of which is attached to this notice, as follows:\n\n 1. The settlement agent identified below made a written request more than 15\n days ago for payoff amounts related to the judgment lien cited in the attached\n recorded abstract of judgment incident to the conveyance or encumbrance of\n certain property identified below. Said payoff has not been provided as of the\n date of this notice.\n\n 2. The undersigned will release only the property from the judgment lien\n described in this notice unless, within 30 days from the date of notice, the\n lien creditor sends to the undersigned by (i) certified mail, return receipt\n requested; (ii) commercial delivery service for same day or next business day\n delivery; (iii) the United States Postal Service for next business day\n delivery; or (iv) electronic mail or facsimile transmittal to the electronic\n mail address or fax number provided by the settlement agent a notice stating\n that the lien creditor objects to the release of the property from the\n judgment lien without payment to the lien creditor and provides a complete\n payoff amount. Notice shall be sent to the address stated on this form.\n \t\t\t\t(Name of settlement agent)\n \t\t\t\t(Virginia RESA registration number of settlement agent)\n \t\t\t\t(Address of settlement agent)\n \t\t\t\t(Telephone number, fax number, and email address of settlement agent)\n\nD. For the purposes of this chapter, a settlement agent shall maintain, for the\nlifetime of the judgement lien, all documents related to exercising due\ndiligence to locate the creditor.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, c. 550.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}