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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72009</law_id><section_number>8.01-511</section_number><catch_line>Institution of garnishment proceedings</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-78.1</reference><reference>8.01-512.3</reference><reference>8.01-513</reference><reference>8.01-520</reference><reference>8.01-523</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="18">Executions and Other Means of Recovery</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="7">Garnishment</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> On a suggestion by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> that, by reason of the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> of his <span class="dictionary">writ of fieri facias</span>, there is a liability on any <span class="dictionary">person</span> other than the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> or that there is in the hands of some <span class="dictionary">person</span> in his capacity as personal representative of some decedent a sum of money to which a <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> is or may be entitled as creditor or distributee of such decedent, upon which sum when determined such <span class="dictionary">writ of fieri facias</span> is a <span class="dictionary">lien</span>, a <span class="dictionary">summons</span> in the form prescribed by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Form of garnishment summons" href="/8.01-512.3/">8.01-512.3</a> may (i) be sued out of the clerk&#x2019;s office of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> from which an execution on the judgment is issued so long as the judgment shall remain enforceable as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitations on enforcement of judgments" href="/8.01-251/">8.01-251</a>, (ii) be sued out of the clerk&#x2019;s office to which an execution issued thereon has been returned as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and where executions returnable; to whom directed" href="/16.1-99/">16.1-99</a> against such <span class="dictionary">person</span>, or (iii) be sued out of the clerk&#x2019;s office from which an execution issued as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Money judgments" href="/16.1-278.18/">16.1-278.18</a>. If the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> does not reside in the city or county where the judgment was entered, the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> may have the case filed or docketed in the <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the city or county where the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> resides and such <span class="dictionary">court</span> may <span class="dictionary">issue</span> an execution on the judgment, provided that the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> (a) files with the <span class="dictionary">court</span> an abstract of the judgment rendered, (b) pays fees to the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fees for services of district court judges and clerks and magistrates in civil cases" href="/16.1-69.48_2/">16.1-69.48:2</a> or subdivision 17 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fees collected by clerks of circuit courts; generally" href="/17.1-275/">17.1-275</a>, and (c) files in both <span class="dictionary">courts</span> any release or satisfaction of judgment. The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> and the notice and claim for exemption form required pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Notice of exemptions from garnishment and lien" href="/8.01-512.4/">8.01-512.4</a> shall be served on the <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span>, and shall be served on the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> promptly after service on the <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span>. Service on the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> and the <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span> shall be made pursuant to subdivision 1 or 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of serving process upon natural persons" href="/8.01-296/">8.01-296</a>. When making an application for <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span>, the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> shall set forth on the suggestion for <span class="dictionary">summons</span> in <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> the last known address of the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>, and shall furnish the clerk, if service is to be made by the <span class="dictionary">sheriff</span>, or shall furnish any other <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service with an envelope, with first-class postage attached, addressed to such address. A copy of the <span class="dictionary">summons</span> and the notice and claim for exemptions form required under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Notice of exemptions from garnishment and lien" href="/8.01-512.4/">8.01-512.4</a> shall be sent by the clerk to the <span class="dictionary">sheriff</span> or provided by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> to the <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service, with the process to be served. Promptly after service on the <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span>, the <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service shall mail such envelope by first-class mail to the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> at his last known address. If the <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service is unable to serve the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> pursuant to subdivision 1 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of serving process upon natural persons" href="/8.01-296/">8.01-296</a>, such mailing shall satisfy the mailing requirements of subdivision 2 b of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of serving process upon natural persons" href="/8.01-296/">8.01-296</a>. The <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service shall note on his return the date of such mailing which, with the notation &#x201C;copy mailed to <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>,&#x201D; shall be sufficient proof of the mailing of such envelope with the required copy of the <span class="dictionary">summons</span> and the notice and claim for exemption form with no examination of such contents being required nor separate certification by the clerk or <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> that the appropriate documents have been so inserted. If the <span class="dictionary">person</span> making service is unable to serve the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> pursuant to subdivision 1 or 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of serving process upon natural persons" href="/8.01-296/">8.01-296</a>, such mailing shall constitute <span class="dictionary">service of process</span> on the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>. The <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> shall furnish the social security number of the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> to the clerk, except as hereinafter provided. <a id="paragraph-259450" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> may require the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> to furnish his correct social security number by the use of <span class="dictionary">interrogatories</span>. However, use of such <span class="dictionary">interrogatories</span> shall not be a required condition of a <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span>&#x2019;s diligent good faith effort to secure the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>&#x2019;s social security number. Such remedy shall be in addition to all other lawful remedies available to the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span>. Upon a representation by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span>, or his agent or attorney, that he has made a diligent good faith effort to secure the social security number of the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> and has been unable to do so, the <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> shall be issued without the necessity for such number. <a id="paragraph-259451" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Except as provided herein, no <span class="dictionary">summons</span> shall be issued pursuant to this section for the <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> of wages, salaries, commissions, or other earnings unless it: (i) is in the form prescribed by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Form of garnishment summons" href="/8.01-512.3/">8.01-512.3</a>; (ii) is directed to only one <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span> for the <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> of only one <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>; (iii) contains both the &#x201C;TOTAL BALANCE DUE&#x201D; and the social security number of the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> in the proper places as provided on the <span class="dictionary">summons</span>; and (iv) specifies that it is a <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> against (a) the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>&#x2019;s wages, salary, or other compensation or (b) some other debt due or property of the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>. The <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span> shall not be liable to the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> for any property not specified in the <span class="dictionary">summons</span> as provided in (iv) above. Upon receipt of a <span class="dictionary">summons</span> not in compliance with this provision, the <span class="dictionary">garnishee</span> shall file a written answer to that effect and shall have no liability to the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span>, such <span class="dictionary">summons</span> being void upon transmission of the answer. <a id="paragraph-259452" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> shall, in the suggestion, specify the amount of interest, if any, that is claimed to be due upon the judgment, calculated to the return day of the <span class="dictionary">summons</span>. He shall also set out such credits as may have been made upon the judgment.
			All costs incurred by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> after entry of the judgment, in aid of execution of the judgment and paid to a <span class="dictionary">clerk of court</span>, <span class="dictionary">sheriff</span>, or process server are chargeable against the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span>, unless such costs are chargeable against the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Subsequent executions" href="/8.01-475/">8.01-475</a>. Regardless of the actual amount of the fee paid by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span>, the fee for a process server chargeable against the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> shall not exceed the fee authorized for service by the <span class="dictionary">sheriff</span>. All such previous costs chargeable against the <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> may be included by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> as judgment costs in the <span class="dictionary">garnishment</span> <span class="dictionary">summons</span> form prescribed in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Form of garnishment summons" href="/8.01-512.3/">8.01-512.3</a>. This paragraph shall not be construed to limit any cost assessed by a court as part of the judgment. <a id="paragraph-259453" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> In addition, the suggestion shall contain an <span class="dictionary">allegation</span> that: <a id="paragraph-259454" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> is based upon a judgment upon which a prior <span class="dictionary">summons</span> has been issued but not fully satisfied; or <a id="paragraph-259455" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> No <span class="dictionary">summons</span> has been issued upon his suggestion against the same <span class="dictionary">judgment debtor</span> within a period of 18 months, other than under the provisions of subdivision 1; or <a id="paragraph-259456" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> is based upon a judgment granted against a debtor upon a debt due or made for necessary food, rent or shelter, public utilities including telephone service, drugs, or medical care supplied the debtor by the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> or to one of his lawful dependents, and that it was not for luxuries or nonessentials; or <a id="paragraph-259457" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> is based upon a judgment for a debt due the <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> to refinance a lawful loan made by an authorized lending institution; or <a id="paragraph-259458" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> is based upon a judgment on an obligation incurred as an endorser or comaker upon a lawful note; or <a id="paragraph-259459" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The <span class="dictionary">summons</span> is based upon a judgment for a debt or debts reaffirmed after <span class="dictionary">bankruptcy</span>. <a id="paragraph-259460" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#E6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">judgment creditor</span> who knowingly gives false information upon any such suggestion or certificate made under this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-259461" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-511/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 8-441; 1960, c. 502; 1966, c. 212; 1972, c. 104; 1976, c. 659; 1977, cc. 454, 617; 1978, cc. 321, 506; 1979, cc. 242, 345; 1980, c. 537; 1983, cc. 399, 468; 1984, c. 1; 1985, c. 524; 1991, c. 534; 1996, cc. 501, 608; 2006, c. 55; 2012, cc. 127, 129, 251, 409.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
