Confidential Statement of Judgment Debtor's Social Security Number (WG-035)
Tells the court, employer, and levying officer the Social Security Number of a person who owes money.
What is the WG-035 Form?
The WG-035 form, officially titled “Confidential Statement of Judgment Debtor’s Social Security Number,” is a mandatory California court form required for all wage garnishment cases. This form serves one critical purpose: to provide the judgment debtor’s Social Security Number to the court, the employer, and the levying officer (typically the Sheriff’s Civil Division).
When you win a lawsuit and obtain a court judgment, collecting the money owed can be challenging, especially if the debtor refuses to pay voluntarily. Wage garnishment is one of the most effective collection methods available to judgment creditors in California. However, you cannot garnish wages without providing the debtor’s Social Security Number on the WG-035 form.
The form is marked “CONFIDENTIAL” because Social Security Numbers are sensitive personal information protected by privacy laws. Unlike most court documents that become part of the public record, the WG-035 is filed separately and kept confidential by the court. Only authorized parties directly involved in the wage garnishment process—including the court, the judgment creditor (you), the employer, and the Sheriff—have access to this information.
The WG-035 form is filed together with your Application for Earnings Withholding Order (Form WG-001) and becomes part of your wage garnishment packet. Without a properly completed WG-035 form containing the correct Social Security Number, the Sheriff will not serve the employer, and your wage garnishment will not proceed.
When is the WG-035 Form Required?
The WG-035 form is required in every California wage garnishment case, without exception. You must file this form whenever you seek to garnish a judgment debtor’s wages to satisfy a court judgment. This applies whether your judgment is from small claims court, superior court, or any other California court.
Step 1: Obtain Court Judgment You win your case and receive a money judgment
Step 2: Get Writ of Execution (Form EJ-130) Court issues writ allowing you to collect
Step 3: Complete WG-035 Form ← YOU ARE HERE Provide debtor’s Social Security Number
Step 4: File Application (Form WG-001) Request earnings withholding order from court
Step 5: Court Issues Order (Form WG-002) Court approves wage garnishment
Step 6: Sheriff Serves Employer Employer receives order to withhold wages
Step 7: Collection Begins Employer withholds and sends you money
⚠️ CRITICAL: Steps 3-7 cannot proceed without the debtor’s Social Security Number on your WG-035 form. This is where most judgment creditors get stuck.
The #1 Challenge: Missing Social Security Number
If you’re reading this, you likely face the same problem that stops 80% of judgment creditors: you don’t have the judgment debtor’s Social Security Number. Your court judgment probably doesn’t include it. The debtor certainly won’t give it to you voluntarily. And without it, you cannot complete the WG-035 form.
This is not a minor inconvenience—it’s a complete roadblock. California law and court procedures require the Social Security Number for wage garnishment. The Sheriff’s Civil Division will not accept or serve an incomplete WG-035 form. Some judgment creditors give up at this point, leaving thousands of dollars uncollected simply because they cannot obtain this one piece of information.
There are only a few legal methods to obtain a judgment debtor’s Social Security Number in California. You cannot guess. You cannot use someone else’s SSN. You must have the correct, verified Social Security Number that matches the judgment debtor’s identity.
📊 By The Numbers:
– 80% of judgment creditors don’t have debtor’s SSN
– Average judgment amount: $15,000 – $50,000
– Success rate with SSN: 85%+ collection
– Success rate without SSN: 5% or less
Three Ways to Obtain the Debtor’s Social Security Number
Check Existing Documents
Before paying for services, review all documents
you already have:
✓ Original judgment documents
✓ Credit applications or contracts
✓ Previous court filings
✓ Financial statements
✓ Tax documents (if business debtor)
✓ Background check reports
Success Rate: 10-15%
Cost: Free
Time: 30 minutes
Professional SSN Lookup
Licensed California Private Investigator
with legal database access:
✓ Legal and confidential
✓ 95% success rate
✓ 24-48 hour delivery
✓ Licensed PI #27617
✓ 25+ years experience
✓ Email delivery
Cost: $150 flat fee
Requirements: Name, DOB, Address
Try Online People Search
Commercial people search databases:
✓ Instant results (sometimes)
✓ Low initial cost
✓ Try before professional service
✗ Hit or miss accuracy
✗ May not include SSN
✗ Legal gray area
Cost: Starting at $0.95
Success Rate: 30-40%
Information Required to Complete WG-035 Form
To successfully complete and file the WG-035 form, you must have the following information about the judgment debtor:
☐ Judgment Debtor’s Full Legal Name
(First, Middle Initial, Last – exactly as shown in judgment)
☐ Social Security Number (XXX-XX-XXXX)
This is the critical piece most creditors are missing
☐ Current or Last Known Address
(Street, City, State, ZIP Code)
☐ Your Court Case Information
• Court name and location
• Case number
• Date of judgment
If you’re missing the debtor’s:
– Social Security Number → Order SSN Lookup ($150)
– Address or Date of Birth → Order People Search ($79)
How to Fill Out WG-035: Step-by-Step Instructions
The WG-035 form is only two pages long and relatively simple to complete
once you have all required information. Follow these detailed instructions
for each section of the form.
Section 1: Court and Case Information
Fields to Complete:
- Name and address of court
- Plaintiff/Petitioner name (your name)
- Defendant/Respondent name (debtor’s name)
- Case number
Tips:
- Copy information exactly as shown on your judgment
- Use full legal names, not nicknames
- Double-check case number accuracy
Section 2: Social Security Number
This is the most critical section:
Field: Social Security Number of Judgment Debtor
Instructions:
- Enter debtor’s SSN in format: XXX-XX-XXXX
- Triple-check for accuracy
- One wrong digit will cause rejection
- Do not guess or estimate
⚠️ Don’t Have the SSN? You cannot complete this form without it. [Get Professional SSN Lookup →]
Section 3: Declaration
Fields:
- Date
- Your signature
- Your printed name
Instructions:
- Sign under penalty of perjury
- Use blue or black ink
- Date the day you sign
Section 4: Proof of Service
After filing, you must serve the debtor
Methods of Service:
- Personal service (process server)
- Service by mail
- Service by Sheriff
Requirements:
- Must be served within 15 days of filing
- Must file proof of service with court
- Use form WG-003 for employee instructions
[View Complete Service Instructions →]
7 Common WG-035 Mistakes That Will Get Your Form Rejected
1. Wrong or Missing Social Security Number
The most common error. Sheriff will immediately reject
if SSN is missing, illegible, or incorrect.
Solution: Verify SSN through professional lookup service
[Order SSN Lookup →]
2. Using Outdated Form Version
Courts only accept current version (Rev. January 1, 2012).
Older versions will be rejected.
Solution: Always download fresh copy from official sources
[Download Current WG-035 →]
3. Incomplete Debtor Information
Missing middle initial, wrong address, or incomplete name
causes delays and rejection.
Solution: Verify all information matches court judgment exactly
4. Not Filing With WG-001
WG-035 must be filed together with Application for
Earnings Withholding Order (WG-001). Cannot file alone.
Solution: Complete both forms together
[View WG-001 Instructions →]
5. Failure to Serve Debtor
Forgetting to serve Form WG-003 (Employee Instructions)
on the debtor within 15 days.
Solution: Use process server or certified mail
6. Illegible Handwriting
If handwriting SSN or other info, it must be perfectly legible.
Unclear numbers get rejected.
Solution: Type form when possible, or print very clearly
7. Filing in Wrong County
Must file in county where judgment was entered or
where debtor works.
Solution: Verify jurisdiction before filing
[Find Sheriff Civil Division →]
Other California Wage Garnishment Forms You’ll Need
EJ-130
Writ of Execution
Required before WG-035
Court authorizes collection
First step in enforcement
[View EJ-130 Guide →]
WG-001
Application for Earnings Withholding Order
Filed with WG-035
Requests court order
Goes to court clerk
[View WG-001 Guide →]
WG-002
Earnings Withholding Order
Employer receives this
Orders wage withholding
Served by Sheriff
[View WG-002 Guide →]
WG-003
Employee Instructions
Given to debtor
Explains their rights
Must be served
[View WG-003 Guide →]
WG-005
Employer’s Return
Employer sends to you
Shows compliance
Payment information
[View WG-005 Guide →]
All Forms
Complete Forms Guide
All California wage
garnishment forms
Download center
[View All Forms →]
Frequently Asked Questions About WG-035
What does WG-035 stand for?
WG-035 is the form number assigned by the California Judicial Council. “WG” stands for Wage Garnishment, and “035” is the sequential form number in the series of wage garnishment forms.
Is WG-035 required in every California wage garnishment?
Yes, without exception. Every wage garnishment in California requires a completed WG-035 form with the debtor’s Social Security Number.
Can I file WG-035 without the Social Security Number?
No. The Sheriff will reject any WG-035 form that does not contain the debtor’s Social Security Number. This is a mandatory field.
How do I legally obtain the debtor's Social Security Number?
Legal methods include: checking your existing documents, hiring a licensed private investigator, or using the court’s debtor examination process. [Learn more →]
Is the WG-035 form public record?
No. Unlike most court documents, WG-035 is confidential and not part of the public court file. Only authorized parties can access it.
Where do I file the WG-035 form?
File with the court clerk in the county where your judgment was entered, or in the county where the debtor is employed.
Do I file WG-035 alone or with other forms?
WG-035 is always filed together with Form WG-001 (Application for Earnings Withholding Order) as part of your wage garnishment packet.
How long does WG-035 remain valid?
The form remains valid for the duration of the wage garnishment. If the debtor changes jobs, you’ll need a new WG-001 but can reference the same WG-035.
What if I enter the wrong Social Security Number?
The garnishment will fail. You may garnish the wrong person (serious legal liability) or the employer won’t be able to identify the employee. Always verify SSN accuracy.
Can I handwrite the Social Security Number on WG-035?
Yes, but it must be perfectly legible. Typed is preferred to avoid any confusion with numbers.
Does the judgment debtor receive a copy of WG-035?
No. The debtor receives Form WG-003 (Employee Instructions) but not the WG-035 form itself, as it contains their SSN.
How much does it cost to file WG-035?
There is typically no separate filing fee for WG-035. The fee is included with your WG-001 filing fee, which varies by county (usually $15-40).
What if the judgment debtor doesn't have a Social Security Number?
If the person has never had an SSN (rare for U.S. residents), you may need to use alternative collection methods. Consult an attorney for undocumented debtor situations.
Can I use an old WG-035 form?
No. You must use the current version (Effective January 1, 2012). Courts reject outdated forms.
What happens after I file WG-035?
The court processes your WG-001 and WG-035 together. If approved, the court issues an Earnings Withholding Order (WG-002) which the Sheriff serves on the employer.
Need Help With Your Wage Garnishment?
You have the judgment.
You have the forms.
You know what to do.
But you’re stuck because you don’t have
the debtor’s Social Security Number.
This is where 80% of judgment creditors
give up and never collect their money.
Professional SSN Lookup Service
✓ Licensed California Private Investigator
✓ Legal database access
✓ 95% success rate
✓ 24-48 hour delivery
✓ $150 flat fee
✓ 25+ years experience
Requirements: Debtor’s name, DOB, address
Missing info? [Order People Search First ($79) →]
Additional Wage Garnishment Resources
How to Garnish Wages in California
Step-by-step guide to the entire
wage garnishment process from
judgment to collection.
[Read Complete Guide →]
Sheriff Civil Division Directory
Contact information for every
California county Sheriff’s
Civil Division office.
[View Directory →]
Judgment Recovery Course
Learn to collect judgments yourself.
[View Course Details →]
Expert Guidance from a Licensed California PI
Lance Casey has been helping judgment creditors successfully
collect their judgments for over 25 years. As a Licensed California
Private Investigator (#27617) with former law enforcement experience,
Lance specializes in wage garnishment, skip tracing, and judgment recovery.
Lance created WG-035.com to provide the most comprehensive resource
for understanding and completing the WG-035 form. Having personally
helped thousands of creditors navigate the wage garnishment process,
Lance understands exactly where judgment creditors get stuck—and how
to solve the Social Security Number problem that stops most collections.
Whether you need step-by-step guidance to complete your WG-035 form
yourself, or professional SSN lookup services to obtain the missing
information, WG-035.com provides the expertise and solutions you need
to successfully collect your California judgment.
✓ Licensed California Private Investigator #27617
✓ 25+ Years Experience in Judgment Collection
✓ Former Law Enforcement Background
✓ Thousands of Successful SSN Lookups
✓ Download WG-035 form ✓ Follow step-by-step instructions above ✓ File your wage garnishment