If you need official confirmation of a County Court Judgment (CCJ), you may need to obtain a certified copy from the court that issued it.
A certified copy of a CCJ is an official court-sealed document confirming the details of a judgment. It is commonly required for legal proceedings, enforcement action, compliance purposes, or formal documentation.
This guide explains what a certified copy is, when you need one, what information is required, and how the process works in England and Wales.
A certified copy is an official court-issued document that confirms:
- The name of the defendant
- The claimant
- The amount of the judgment
- The date it was issued
- The court that granted it
- The case reference number
Unlike a basic register search, a certified copy is formally stamped or sealed and recognised as official evidence of the judgment.
A certified CCJ copy may be required for:
Enforcement Action
If a creditor wishes to enforce a judgment through bailiffs, attachment of earnings, or charging orders, an official document may be required.
Legal Proceedings
Courts may require a certified judgment copy during related litigation or disputes.
Financial or Compliance Checks
Some financial institutions or regulatory bodies may request official documentation.
Personal Records
An individual may require a certified copy to resolve disputes or clarify judgment details.
If you are unsure whether a judgment exists, you may first need to conduct a CCJ search before requesting a certified copy.
Before requesting a certified copy, you should confirm that:
- A CCJ exists
- The court that issued it
- The approximate date of judgment
- The case reference number (if known)
The more accurate your information, the faster the process.
If you do not know the court location or case number, a structured CCJ search may help identify those details.
To request a certified copy, you will typically need:
For Individuals:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Current or previous address
For Companies:
- Company name
- Registered office address
- Company number (if available)
Additional helpful details:
- Known court location
- Case reference number
-Approximate time of judgment
Providing incomplete information may delay processing.
Certified copies must be requested from the court that issued the judgment.
The process generally involves:
- Completing a formal request
- Providing identifying details
-Paying the applicable court fee
- Waiting for court processing
Each court may have slightly different administrative procedures, which can affect processing times.
Processing times can vary depending on the court and workload.
Typical timeframes are:
- 5 to 10 business days
- Longer if the judgment is older or archived
Urgent requests may not always be available, depending on court capacity.
Costs can include:
- Court fees for issuing a certified document
- Administrative or processing fees
Fees may vary depending on the court and whether additional documents are required.
If the court location is unknown:
- A public register search can identify where the judgment was issued
- The case reference number may also be revealed
Without the correct court, a certified copy request cannot be processed.
This is why confirming judgment details beforehand is important.
A certified CCJ copy typically includes:
- Official court heading
- Case number
- Judgment amount
- Names of parties involved
- Judgment date
- Court seal or certification
It does not include full case evidence, witness statements, or hearing transcripts unless specifically requested.
Some courts allow requests via email or post. Others may require formal written applications.
Because procedures vary, many individuals choose to use a structured request service to ensure the correct information is submitted to the correct court.
Even if a CCJ has expired from the public register after six years, the court may still hold archived records.
Availability may depend on:
- Court retention policies
- Archive storage systems
- Record completeness
Older judgments may take longer to retrieve.
Is a certified copy the same as a CCJ search?
No. A CCJ search confirms whether a judgment exists on the public register. A certified copy is an official court-issued document.
Can I get a certified copy without the case number?
Yes, but processing may take longer. Providing the case reference improves accuracy.
Can anyone request a certified copy?
Because CCJs are matters of public record in England and Wales, requests are generally permissible, but usage of the information must comply with relevant regulations.
How do I know which court issued the judgment?
If you are unsure, a CCJ search can identify the issuing court and case reference.
A certified copy of a CCJ is an official court document confirming the details of a judgment. It may be required for enforcement, legal proceedings, compliance checks, or formal documentation.
To obtain one, you must identify the issuing court, provide accurate identifying details, and submit a formal request. Processing times typically range from 5 to 10 business days.
If you need assistance requesting a certified copy of a County Court Judgment, you can submit a structured request online with the relevant details securely.