How to Look Up Garnishments on Your Record or Paycheck
Learn how to identify wage garnishments through court records, employer notices, and official reports for better financial awareness.
If money is unexpectedly missing from your paycheck, or you have been notified of a debt collection action, you might be subject to wage garnishment. This is a legal process where a portion of your earnings is withheld to pay debts such as loans, taxes, or child support. Determining if a garnishment order exists against you is crucial for managing your finances.
Court Records
Garnishments are typically authorized by court orders, making court records a primary source for verification. These documents contain details about the creditor, the amount owed, and the court’s directives.
Online Docket Searches
Many courts provide public access to case information online. Federal court records can be searched through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, which allows users to find cases and view docket sheets listing events and documents filed, such as a “Writ of Garnishment.” State and county courts often have similar online databases, though availability varies. These portals usually allow searches by case number or party name. Keep in mind that access might be limited for older cases or certain case types due to privacy rules.
Document Requests
If online searches are inconclusive or you need a physical copy, you can request documents directly from the clerk’s office of the court that issued the judgment. You will likely need the case number. Contact the clerk, specify the document needed (like the “Writ of Garnishment”), and inquire about procedures for making the request, which can often be done in person, by mail, or online. The clerk can provide official copies confirming the garnishment.
Fees and Processing
Accessing court records may involve fees. Online systems like PACER typically charge per page, often around $0.10, sometimes with caps per document. Searching might also incur a small fee. Requesting physical copies from the courthouse involves per-page charges set by the jurisdiction, with potential extra fees for certified copies. Processing times vary from immediate online access to weeks for mailed requests. If you cannot afford these costs, courts offer procedures to apply for a fee waiver, usually requiring proof of financial hardship.
Employer Communications
Your employer is a direct source of information because they must comply with garnishment orders sent by courts or government agencies. The payroll or human resources department will know if a garnishment is active against your wages.
Employers are generally required to notify employees upon receiving a garnishment order. This notice typically includes details about the creditor, the total amount owed, and how the withholding is calculated from your disposable earnings. Federal law, under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, limits withholding amounts and protects employees from being fired due to a single garnishment, though this protection may not cover subsequent debts.1U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet #30: Wage Garnishment Protections of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA)
Your employer calculates the legally allowed withholding, deducts it from your pay, and sends the funds as directed. Pay stubs should clearly show the amount withheld for garnishment each pay period. If you have questions about the calculation or process, contact your payroll or HR department. They can explain the mechanics based on the order they received but cannot offer legal advice.
Credit Report Analysis
Your credit report can provide clues about debts that might lead to garnishment, although the garnishment order itself usually isn’t listed as a separate item. Issues like delinquent accounts, debts in collections, and civil judgments (though less commonly reported now) signal potential garnishment actions.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) entitles you to a free copy of your credit report from each major bureau (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) every 12 months via AnnualCreditReport.com. Examine the report for collection accounts or severely delinquent debts, which indicate a higher risk of legal action by creditors. While major bureaus largely stopped reporting civil judgment data around 2017, the underlying debt will likely still appear. Look for creditor notations possibly indicating payments via garnishment.
Identifying these negative entries, which generally remain for up to seven years, helps pinpoint debts potentially subject to garnishment. The FCRA also grants you the right to dispute errors or outdated information with the credit reporting agencies.
Contacting Official Agencies
For debts owed to government entities, contacting the agency directly is often necessary. Federal and state agencies frequently have the authority to garnish wages administratively, without a court order, for debts like taxes, federal student loans, and child support.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can levy wages for unpaid federal taxes after sending required notices, including a “Final Notice of Intent to Levy.” Contact the IRS using the number on the notice or their general help line (800-829-1040) to verify a wage levy.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) can garnish wages for defaulted federal student loans through Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG), typically up to 15% of disposable earnings, after sending a 30-day notice. Contact ED’s Default Resolution Group (1-800-621-3115) or check the Federal Student Aid website (StudentAid.gov) to confirm.
Other federal non-tax debts and past-due state obligations may be collected via the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). While primarily known for offsetting payments like tax refunds, TOP can facilitate garnishment. Notices are sent if an action occurs. Contact the TOP call center (800-304-3107) for information.
Child support garnishments are usually managed by state or local agencies, which issue income withholding orders to employers. To verify, contact the specific state or county child support agency handling your case, often accessible through state government websites or customer service lines.