Enforcing International Judgments in Florida Courts: A 2026 Legal Guide for Global Creditors

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, creditors often find that a debtor’s most valuable assets are located far from the country where a judgment was originally issued. For international creditors seeking to collect in the United States, Florida stands out as a critical jurisdiction due to its robust economy and status as a hub for international business and asset holding. Successfully enforcing a foreign-country money judgment in Florida requires navigating specific state statutes and procedural rules. This 2026 guide focuses on the primary legal framework: the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act (UFCMJRA), adopted under Florida Statutes Chapter 55, Part II.

Understanding the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act (UFCMJRA)

Florida’s adoption of the UFCMJRA provides a standardized and predictable process for recognizing and enforcing money judgments from foreign judicial systems. The Act creates a legal pathway to convert a foreign judgment into a Florida judgment, which can then be enforced using all standard domestic collection remedies, such as garnishment, levy, and lien placement.

Key Criteria for Recognition Under the UFCMJRA

For a Florida court to recognize a foreign judgment under the UFCMJRA, several foundational requirements must be met:

• The Judgment Must Be “Foreign-Country”: It must be a judgment of a foreign court that grants or denies recovery of a sum of money. It typically does not include judgments for taxes, fines, or certain family law matters.
• Final, Conclusive, and Enforceable: The judgment must be final and conclusive under the law of the country where it was rendered. It must also be enforceable in that country.
• Due Process & Impartial Tribunal: The judgment must have been issued by a judicial system that provides impartial tribunals and procedures compatible with fundamental principles of fairness. The defendant must have received notice sufficient to give them an opportunity to defend.
• Personal & Subject Matter Jurisdiction: The foreign court must have had proper personal jurisdiction over the defendant and jurisdiction over the subject matter.

Mandatory and Discretionary Grounds for Non-Recognition

Even if the basic criteria are satisfied, Florida courts are required to deny recognition under certain mandatory grounds and may deny recognition under discretionary grounds.

Mandatory Grounds for Denial (Florida Statute § 55.605):

• The judgment was rendered under a judicial system that does not provide impartial tribunals.
• The foreign court did not have personal jurisdiction over the defendant.
• The foreign court did not have jurisdiction over the subject matter.

Discretionary Grounds for Denial (Florida Statute § 55.606):

• The defendant did not receive reasonable notice of the foreign proceedings.
• The judgment was obtained by fraud.
• The judgment or the cause of action is repugnant to Florida public policy.
• The judgment conflicts with another final and conclusive judgment.
• The proceeding in the foreign court was contrary to a forum selection or arbitration agreement.
• The judgment was rendered in seriously inconvenient circumstances.

The Procedural Process for Enforcement in Florida

Enforcement is not automatic. The creditor (the “recognizing party”) must initiate a new, separate proceeding in a Florida circuit court. The process generally involves:

1. Filing a Petition: The creditor files a petition to recognize the foreign-country money judgment, attaching a certified copy of the foreign judgment and a translation if necessary.
2. Service of Process: The debtor must be formally served with the petition and summons under Florida’s rules of civil procedure.
3. Debtor’s Response & Limited Defenses: The debtor may raise defenses, but they are generally limited to the grounds for non-recognition listed in the UFCMJRA. The debtor cannot re-litigate the merits of the original case.
4. Court Hearing & Order: The court will review the petition and any defenses. If the requirements are met, the court will issue an order recognizing the foreign judgment.
5. Domestication & Enforcement: Once recognized, the order allows the creditor to “domesticate” the judgment. It is then treated as a judgment of a Florida court, and all standard post-judgment collection actions can commence.

Strategic Considerations for Global Creditors in 2026

The process, while structured, presents strategic challenges. Creditors must act within Florida’s statute of limitations for enforcement, which is the earlier of the period allowed in the foreign country or 15 years from the date the foreign judgment became effective. Proactive legal strategy is essential, including:

• Conducting a thorough pre-filing analysis of the debtor’s Florida assets.
• Ensuring the foreign judgment documentation is impeccably prepared and authenticated.
• Anticipating and preparing counterarguments for potential public policy or due process defenses a debtor may raise.
• Considering the interplay with potential bankruptcy proceedings if the debtor is insolvent.