Form N293A Certificate of Satisfaction
Apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction to update the Register of Judgments after paying a County Court Judgment (CCJ) in full. This is essential for improving your credit rating and proving the debt has been settled.
What is a Certificate of Satisfaction (N293A)?
A Certificate of Satisfaction is an official court document that confirms a County Court Judgment (CCJ) has been paid in full. When a court issues a CCJ against you, that judgment is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is maintained by Registry Trust Limited. This register is checked by credit reference agencies and lenders when assessing your creditworthiness.
Simply paying the debt is not enough to update the register. You must actively apply to the court for a Certificate of Satisfaction using Form N293A. Without this application, the judgment will continue to show as "unsatisfied" on the register, even if the creditor has received full payment. This can seriously affect your ability to obtain credit, mortgages, and other financial products.
Once the court issues the certificate, it notifies Registry Trust, who then update the register to show the judgment as either "satisfied" (paid after 30 days) or remove it entirely (paid within 30 days of the judgment date).
Who Can Apply?
The debtor (the person who owed the money and has now paid) is the one who applies for the Certificate of Satisfaction. The creditor does not need to apply — although the court will contact them to confirm payment has been received.
Why You Need a Certificate of Satisfaction
A CCJ stays on the Register of Judgments for six years from the date of the judgment. During this time, it is visible to credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and will negatively affect your credit score. Getting a Certificate of Satisfaction is one of the most important steps you can take to limit the damage.
Unsatisfied CCJ
- Remains on register for 6 years
- Severely damages credit score
- Most lenders will refuse applications
- Can affect renting, mobile phone contracts, and insurance
- Shows debt is still outstanding
Satisfied CCJ
- Still on register for 6 years but marked as "satisfied"
- Less damaging to credit score
- Some lenders will still consider applications
- Shows debt has been paid in full
- Demonstrates responsibility in settling debts
Paid Within 30 Days?
If you paid the full judgment amount within 30 days of the judgment date, the judgment can be removed from the register entirely. This is called cancellation, not just satisfaction. The effect on your credit rating is as if the CCJ never existed. Use the same Form N293A to apply.
How to Apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction
The application process is straightforward. You apply to the court that originally made the judgment, not any other court. Here is what you need to do:
Gather Your Evidence of Payment
Before completing the form, collect all evidence that proves the judgment has been paid in full. This can include:
- Bank statements showing the payment(s)
- Receipts from the creditor
- A letter or email from the creditor confirming full payment
- Money order receipts or postal order counterfoils
- Court payment receipts (if paid through the court)
Complete Form N293A
Fill in the form with details of the case number, the judgment date, the amount, and when it was paid. Full details on completing each section are provided below.
Pay the Application Fee
The fee for a Certificate of Satisfaction is £15. This can be paid by cheque, postal order, or debit/credit card (if applying in person or by phone). Make cheques payable to "HM Courts & Tribunals Service".
Send to the Correct Court
Send the completed form, your evidence of payment, and the fee to the court that made the original judgment. The court's address will be on the judgment paperwork. If your case was issued online through Money Claims Online (MCOL), send it to the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC) in Salford.
How to Complete Form N293A
Form N293A is a short form, but it is important to complete every section accurately. Mistakes or missing information will delay the process. Here is a section-by-section guide:
Section 1: Case Details
Enter the case number (also called the claim number). This is found on the original claim form, the judgment order, or any correspondence from the court. It typically looks like "A00AB123" or similar.
Also enter the names of the claimant (the person who was owed money) and the defendant (you, the person who owed the money).
Section 2: Judgment Details
Enter the date the judgment was made and the total amount of the judgment. The judgment amount includes the original claim plus any court fees and interest that were ordered.
Tip: The judgment date is critical. If you paid within 30 days of this date, you may be eligible for cancellation rather than just satisfaction.
Section 3: Payment Details
Enter the date(s) when payment was made. If you paid in instalments, list the date of the final payment that completed the full amount. State the total amount paid and confirm it covers the full judgment sum including any costs and interest.
Section 4: Proof of Payment
List the evidence you are attaching to prove payment. The court needs to be satisfied that the full amount has been paid before issuing the certificate. Attach copies, not originals, of your evidence.
- Bank statements with relevant transactions highlighted
- Receipts or written confirmation from the creditor
- Screenshots of online banking transfers (with reference visible)
Section 5: Declaration
Sign and date the declaration confirming that the information is true and that the judgment has been paid in full. This is a statement of truth — providing false information could result in contempt of court proceedings.
What Happens After You Apply
After the court receives your application, a specific process follows to verify that the judgment has been paid. Here is the timeline:
Court Reviews Application
The court checks your form and supporting evidence. If anything is missing or unclear, they may contact you for further information before proceeding.
Creditor Notified (28-Day Window)
The court sends a copy of your application to the judgment creditor (the person or company you paid). The creditor has 28 days to respond. They can either confirm payment was received or object if they believe the full amount has not been paid.
Certificate Issued
If the creditor confirms payment or does not respond within 28 days, the court issues the Certificate of Satisfaction. The court sends a copy to you and to Registry Trust Limited.
Register Updated
Registry Trust updates the Register of Judgments to show the CCJ as "satisfied" (or removes it entirely if paid within 30 days). Credit reference agencies then pick up this change and update your credit file accordingly. This can take a few weeks.
Paying Within 30 Days: Cancellation vs Satisfaction
There is a crucial difference between paying a CCJ within 30 days of the judgment date and paying after 30 days. The timing of your payment determines whether the judgment is cancelled or merely marked as satisfied.
Paid Within 30 Days
Use the same Form N293A. The 30 days runs from the date of the judgment, not the date you received the judgment paperwork.
Paid After 30 Days
Even if you pay after 30 days, always apply for satisfaction. An unsatisfied CCJ is far more damaging than a satisfied one.
Important: The 30-day deadline is strict. It runs from the date of the judgment order, not the date you received it. If you receive the judgment late and the 30-day window has passed, you cannot get cancellation — only satisfaction. Act quickly when you receive a CCJ.
If the Creditor Objects
In some cases, the judgment creditor may object to your application for a Certificate of Satisfaction. This usually happens when the creditor disputes that the full amount has been paid. Here is what to expect:
Common Reasons for Objection
- Interest not paid: The judgment may have included interest that continues to accrue until payment. The creditor may claim interest is still outstanding.
- Costs not included: Fixed court costs added to the judgment may not have been paid along with the main debt.
- Partial payment only: The creditor may argue that only part of the total amount has been received.
- Payment not received: In rare cases, payments may have gone astray or not been properly attributed to the case.
What Happens at a Hearing
If the creditor objects and the dispute cannot be resolved, the court may list a hearing. At the hearing:
- Both you and the creditor can present evidence
- Bring all proof of payment (bank statements, receipts, correspondence)
- A judge will decide whether the judgment has been paid in full
- If the judge is satisfied, the certificate will be issued
- If not, the judge will explain what further amount needs to be paid
Tip: To avoid disputes, always get written confirmation from the creditor when you make the final payment. Ask them to confirm in writing (email is fine) that the judgment has been paid in full. This makes the application process much smoother.
Effect on Your Credit Rating
Understanding how a CCJ affects your credit rating — and how a Certificate of Satisfaction can help — is important for your financial recovery.
| Status | On Register | Credit Impact | Lender View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsatisfied CCJ | 6 years | Severe negative impact | Likely to refuse credit |
| Satisfied CCJ | 6 years (marked satisfied) | Moderate negative impact | Some lenders may consider |
| Cancelled CCJ (within 30 days) | Removed entirely | No lasting impact | No record visible |
Credit Reference Agencies
The three main credit reference agencies in the UK — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — all receive data from Registry Trust. Once Registry Trust updates the register, these agencies update their records. However, this is not instant:
- Registry Trust typically updates within a few days of receiving the certificate
- Credit reference agencies may take 4–6 weeks to reflect the change
- You can contact the agencies directly with your certificate to speed things up
- Check your credit report after 6 weeks to ensure the update has been made
Proactive step: Once you receive your Certificate of Satisfaction, send a copy to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion directly. This can speed up the update to your credit file and is especially useful if you need to apply for credit soon.
Partial Payment
You cannot obtain a Certificate of Satisfaction if the judgment has only been partially paid. The certificate confirms that the entire judgment amount has been settled, including:
Original Debt
The amount claimed by the creditor
Court Costs
Fixed costs added by the court
Interest
Any interest ordered by the court
No Partial Satisfaction
There is no such thing as a "partial" certificate of satisfaction. You must pay the full judgment amount before you can apply. If you have paid part of the debt, continue making payments until the full amount is cleared, then apply.
If you are unsure of the exact amount remaining, contact the court or the creditor to confirm the total outstanding balance including any accrued interest. It is better to overpay slightly and request a refund from the creditor than to have your application rejected for underpayment.
Common Questions
How long does the process take?
The court must wait 28 days for the creditor to respond. If there is no objection, the certificate is usually issued within 6–8 weeks of your application. If the creditor objects, it may take longer due to the hearing process.
Can the creditor apply for me?
No. The debtor (the person who paid the judgment) must apply. However, you can ask the creditor to write a letter confirming payment, which makes the process faster.
What if I have lost the case number?
Contact the court where the judgment was made. They can look up your case using your name and address. You can also check the Register of Judgments at Registry Trust (www.registry-trust.org.uk) for a fee of £10.
Can I apply online?
If your original claim was made through Money Claims Online, you may be able to apply for the certificate online. Otherwise, you need to submit the paper form to the court.
What if the creditor has gone out of business?
If the judgment creditor has ceased trading or cannot be contacted, explain this in your application and provide as much evidence of payment as possible. The court can still issue the certificate if satisfied that payment was made.
Is the £15 fee refundable?
No. The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful. However, you can apply for fee remission (Help with Fees) if you are on a low income or certain benefits. Use form EX160 to apply for fee remission.
Important Notes
- The fee for a Certificate of Satisfaction is £15
- You must pay the full judgment amount (including costs and interest) before applying
- If paid within 30 days of judgment, the CCJ can be cancelled (removed from the register)
- If paid after 30 days, the CCJ is marked "satisfied" but remains on the register for 6 years
- Always keep copies of all payment evidence and correspondence
- The creditor has 28 days to object to your application
Interactive Legal Chatbot
Quick Info
Court Fee
£15
Apply To
The court that made the original judgment
Who Applies
The debtor (person who paid)
Processing Time
6–8 weeks (28-day creditor window)
Related Guides
Key Deadlines
30 days: Pay within this to get CCJ cancelled
28 days: Creditor response window
6 years: Satisfied CCJ stays on register