Request for Entry of Default (Application to Enter Default)
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File CIV-100 with Ezel
Fill CIV-100 with Ezel
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What Ezel does with CIV-100
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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.
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Caption must identify the attorney or self-represented party.
Attorneys only.
Attorneys only.
Caption address required.
Address part.
Address part. Defaults to CA.
Address part.
Required.
Optional in practice for self-represented filers.
Identifies who the filer represents.
Court county on caption.
Court street address.
Optional; only when different from street.
Court city and ZIP.
Branch name required for routing in counties with multiple courthouses.
Case number on every page.
Plaintiff name on caption matches the original Complaint exactly.
Defendant name(s) on caption. If multiple defendants, list all.
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.
Date the complaint was filed and stamped by the clerk. Without this date the clerk can't match this request to the case file.
Plaintiff name. Same as caption plaintiff.
Names of defendants whose default is being requested. Must match the Complaint and POS-010 exactly.
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.
Required disclosure. Software is not an LDA/UDA. Truthful answer for self-help users using only software is 'did not.'
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.
Required if mailing status is 'unknown address'; otherwise blank.
Date mailed. Required if mailing was done.
Names and addresses on the envelopes. Required if mailing was done.
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).
Date and signature of the plaintiff or attorney. Without a date the request cannot be processed.
Printed name of declarant.
Required date for the under-penalty-of-perjury declaration covering items 4 (UDA), 5 (Rees-Levering), and 6 (mailing).
Printed name of declarant.
Date of the nonmilitary declaration.
Sources
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