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HRS §636C-3

How to file an out-of-state court judgment in Hawaii

You can file a copy of a judgment from another state with the Hawaii court clerk. Once filed, it is treated like a Hawaii judgment. It has the same legal power, can create a lien, and can be enforced the same way.

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The statute, as written — Filing and status of foreign judgments

A copy of any exemplified foreign judgment may be filed in the office of the clerk of the appropriate court of this State. The clerk shall treat the foreign judgment in the same manner as a judgment of a court of this State. A judgment so filed has the same effect and is subject to the same procedures, defenses, and proceedings for reopening, vacating, or staying as a judgment of a court of this State, including establishing a lien, and may be enforced or satisfied in like manner.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.