What must be recorded for a judgment to become a lien on real property in Florida?

For a judgment to become a lien on real property in Florida, a certified copy of the judgment must be recorded in the public records of the county where the property is located. This step is essential because it provides public notice of the judgment against the property owner and establishes the creditor’s legal claim to the property.

Recording the certified copy of the judgment creates a lien that encumbers the specific real estate—a process necessary for the judgment to have any legal effect against subsequent purchasers or creditors. This means that if the property is sold, the judgment lien must be settled before the title is cleared, ensuring that the creditor can enforce the judgment against the property if it remains unpaid.

The other options are not relevant to the process of establishing a judgment lien. A copy of the property title would not inherently indicate a lien; an affidavit of ownership does not provide the formal recognition needed; and a copy of the lien agreement is not applicable since a judgment itself is what establishes the lien when recorded. Therefore, recording a certified copy of the judgment is the crucial step in the process.