
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC3201]

 
               TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
 
                     PART VI--PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS
 
             CHAPTER 176--FEDERAL DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURE
 
                   SUBCHAPTER C--POSTJUDGMENT REMEDIES
 
Sec. 3201. Judgment liens

    (a) Creation.--A judgment in a civil action shall create a lien on 
all real property of a judgment debtor on filing a certified copy of the 
abstract of the judgment in the manner in which a notice of tax lien 
would be filed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 6323(f) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. A lien created under this paragraph is 
for the amount necessary to satisfy the judgment, including costs and 
interest.
    (b) Priority of Lien.--A lien created under subsection (a) shall 
have priority over any other lien or encumbrance which is perfected 
later in time.
    (c) Duration of Lien; Renewal.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph 
(2), a lien created under subsection (a) is effective, unless satisfied, 
for a period of 20 years.
    (2) Such lien may be renewed for one additional period of 20 years 
upon filing a notice of renewal in the same manner as the judgment is 
filed and shall relate back to the date the judgment is filed if--
        (A) the notice of renewal is filed before the expiration of the 
    20-year period to prevent the expiration of the lien; and
        (B) the court approves the renewal of such lien under this 
    paragraph.

    (d) Release of Judgment Lien.--A judgment lien shall be released on 
the filing of a satisfaction of judgment or release of lien in the same 
manner as the judgment is filed to obtain the lien.
    (e) Effect of Lien on Eligibility for Federal Grants, Loans or 
Programs.--A debtor who has a judgment lien against the debtor's 
property for a debt to the United States shall not be eligible to 
receive any grant or loan which is made, insured, guaranteed, or 
financed directly or indirectly by the United States or to receive funds 
directly from the Federal Government in any program, except funds to 
which the debtor is entitled as beneficiary, until the judgment is paid 
in full or otherwise satisfied. The agency of the United States that is 
responsible for such grants and loans may promulgate regulations to 
allow for waiver of this restriction on eligibility for such grants, 
loans, and funds.
    (f) Sale of Property Subject to Judgment Lien.--(1) On proper 
application to a court, the court may order the United States to sell, 
in accordance with sections 2001 and 2002, any real property subject to 
a judgment lien in effect under this section.
    (2) This subsection shall not preclude the United States from using 
an execution sale pursuant to section 3203(g) to sell real property 
subject to a judgment lien.

(Added Pub. L. 101-647, title XXXVI, Sec. 3611, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 
4948.)

                       References in Text

    Section 6323(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in 
subsec. (a), is classified to section 6323(f) of Title 26, Internal 
Revenue Code.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 3102, 3105 of this title; 
title 8 section 1183a; title 12 section 3758; title 18 section 3613.
