Registering an interstate judgment

If you’re a creditor with a money order (judgment) from a court in another state or territory, the debtor may have moved to Queensland.

In that case, you can register the judgment here to enforce it.

You’ll need to register the judgment with the court in the judicial district where the debtor now lives.

Once registered, the judgment is treated like a Queensland court order, allowing you to take enforcement action within the state.

Validity of order

For an interstate money order to be registered and enforced in Queensland, it must still be valid and enforceable in the state or territory where it was issued.

How to register a judgment

  • Get a certified copy of the money order (judgment) from the court that issued it.
  • Send the certified copy to the court in the judicial district the debtor now lives with the appropriate filing fee (in some cases this may be done electronically using the QCase portal).

You may need to contact the relevant court registry for details.

Which court will hear your matter

AmountCourt
Up to $150,000Magistrates Court
Between $150,001 and $750,000District Court
Over $750,000 or complex casesSupreme Court

When to apply

The filing fee can be paid by cheque or by completing the credit card details form.

If you want to enforce the order immediately, include:

  • an application for an enforcement hearing (which will not be considered by the court until after the judgment is registered and the debtor has failed to complete a statement of financial position)
  • an enforcement warrant
  • a supporting affidavit confirming:
    • the debtor hasn’t paid
    • the order is still enforceable in the original state or territory.

Claiming additional costs

You can recover:

  • the cost of obtaining the certified copy of the money order
  • filing fee for registering the order in Queensland.

Claiming interest

If the original court allows interest after judgment, you can continue claiming it in Queensland.

Include interest details in your affidavit, ensuring compliance with the original state or territory’s laws.

If the debtor moves

If you have registered your judgment/order in the relevant court and the debtor then moves to another location in Queensland, you may:

  • Option 1 – Apply for an enforcement hearing at the court where you registered the judgment/order.

You will need to pay ‘conduct money’ for the debtor to attend the hearing, which you can’t claim.

  • Option 2 – Send your enforcement hearing documents to the court closest to where the debtor’s new location is.

No additional registration fee is required.