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Request for Entry of Default (Application to Enter Default)

Asks the clerk to enter default when a defendant did not respond to your lawsuit.

Jurisdiction: California Deadline: After defendant's response time expires.

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What is CIV-100?

Asks the clerk to enter the defendant's default after the defendant fails to respond to a complaint. Mandatory in unlawful detainer cases before submitting UD-110 for judgment, and in any general civil case before requesting a default judgment.

What happens if you miss the deadline: The default cannot be entered until the response time has run; once entered, the defendant has only narrow grounds to set it aside.

How to file

Filing fee
There is no filing fee for CIV-100 itself; the first-appearance fee was paid when the complaint was filed. If a Clerk's Judgment for restitution of premises issues, the writ of execution (EJ-130) has its own modest fee, typically $25-$40.
Filing method
in-person, mail, efile (county-specific; many California courts accept e-filing for default requests)
Filing deadline
Default cannot be entered until the defendant's response time has run: 5 court days for unlawful detainer (CCP section 1167), 30 calendar days for most general civil cases (CCP section 412.20). Until default is entered, the defendant can still file an answer; act promptly. There is no formal upper deadline, but California Rules of Court rule 3.110 requires plaintiffs to seek default within 10 days of the response time expiring or face dismissal for failure to prosecute.
How to serve
CCP section 587 requires the plaintiff to mail a copy of CIV-100 to each defendant's last-known address (or attorney of record) BEFORE the clerk enters default. The mailing must be declared on item 6 under penalty of perjury. The only exception is when the defendant's address is genuinely unknown (item 6a).
Wet signature
Yes, sign in pen after printing.
Notarization
No
Original and copies
One signed original to the clerk plus one copy for the plaintiff's records. For an unlawful detainer with UD-110 and UD-120 attached, bring two extra copies for the sheriff (writ enforcement) and your records.

Common pitfalls

Three highest-leverage checks for the AI review on CIV-100. (1) CCP 587 mailing: item 6 must be filled. Self-represented filers commonly skip item 6 and the clerk bounces the form back. The mailing must happen BEFORE filing CIV-100 with the court. (2) Nonmilitary status (item 8): a default judgment cannot enter without this declaration. The standard pro se path is the SCRA database check (item 8a). (3) Path coherence: in a UD case, the form-title checkboxes 'Entry of Default' and 'Clerk's Judgment' must both be checked plus item 1e(1) for the restitution-only judgment. Missing 1e(1) leads to the clerk entering default but not issuing the writ.

You'll likely also file

Other Ezel-supported forms that commonly file alongside CIV-100. Each one has its own guided fill, AI review, and PDF render.

Field-by-field guidance

Plain-English notes on every field on the form, with severity for what the AI completeness review treats as a blocker.

Show all 34 fields
Your Name
blocker

Caption must identify the attorney or self-represented party.

Firm Name
none

Attorneys only.

Bar Number
none

Attorneys only.

Your Street
blocker

Caption address required.

Your City
blocker

Address part.

Your State
blocker

Address part. Defaults to CA.

Your Zip
blocker

Address part.

Your Phone
blocker

Required.

Your Email
none

Optional in practice for self-represented filers.

Atty For
blocker

Identifies who the filer represents.

Court County
blocker

Court county on caption.

Court Street
blocker

Court street address.

Court Mailing
none

Optional; only when different from street.

Court City Zip
blocker

Court city and ZIP.

Court Branch
blocker

Branch name required for routing in counties with multiple courthouses.

Case Number
blocker

Case number on every page.

Plaintiff Caption
blocker

Plaintiff name on caption matches the original Complaint exactly.

Defendant Caption
blocker

Defendant name(s) on caption. If multiple defendants, list all.

Request Path
blocker

Mutual exclusive request path. The 'UD default + clerk's judgment for restitution only' path is the most common for pro se landlords; clerk both enters default AND issues judgment of possession in one trip. The 'default only' path enters default without judgment, leaving the user to bring UD-110 separately.

Complaint Filed Date
blocker

Date the complaint was filed and stamped by the clerk. Without this date the clerk can't match this request to the case file.

Filer Name Item 1b
blocker

Plaintiff name. Same as caption plaintiff.

Default Defendants
blocker

Names of defendants whose default is being requested. Must match the Complaint and POS-010 exactly.

Include Unnamed Occupants
info

Conditional: only check this box if the Prejudgment Claim of Right to Possession (CP10.5) was actually served with the summons. If checked without CP10.5 having been served, the judgment is vulnerable to challenge from any unnamed occupant.

Uda Used
blocker

Required disclosure. Software is not an LDA/UDA. Truthful answer for self-help users using only software is 'did not.'

Mailing Status
blocker

Mailing of CIV-100 to defendants is required by CCP section 587. The clerk will reject CIV-100 if item 6 is blank or shows no mailing was done. Mail BEFORE filing the original.

Mailing Unknown Names
warning

Required if mailing status is 'unknown address'; otherwise blank.

Mailing Date
warning

Date mailed. Required if mailing was done.

Mailing Recipients
warning

Names and addresses on the envelopes. Required if mailing was done.

Nonmilitary Basis
blocker

Required for any default judgment. Most pro se landlords use the SCRA database check at scra.dmdc.osd.mil and select item 8a. If the defendant is a business entity, choose item 8e (not eligible to serve).

Page1 Sign Date
blocker

Date and signature of the plaintiff or attorney. Without a date the request cannot be processed.

Page1 Sign Name
blocker

Printed name of declarant.

Page2 Decl1 Date
blocker

Required date for the under-penalty-of-perjury declaration covering items 4 (UDA), 5 (Rees-Levering), and 6 (mailing).

Page2 Decl1 Name
blocker

Printed name of declarant.

Page3 Decl Date
blocker

Date of the nonmilitary declaration.

Ezel is a self-help tool. Ezel is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. You are the filer. Review the form carefully before submitting it to the court, and consult a licensed attorney if you have questions about your case. For free legal help, contact your local legal aid office or court self-help center.

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