Default Unit

The Default Unit processes the following:

UD-possession Judgments; UD-Money Judgments; Stipulated Judgments; Auto Deficiency; Common Counts- Open Book; Subrogation; Claim & Delivery; Bad Checks; Contracts; Personal Injury- Property Damage; 998 Offer to Compromise; Renewal of Judgment; Summary Judgments; Sister State Judgments; Labor Judgments, Judgment by State Bar, Confession of Judgment (CCP 1132), Summary Judgments-Criminal, and Summary Judgments-Tax Collector's Office. The Default Unit also schedules the hearing date for Default Prove-Up.

Email: default-judgments@sftc.org if you need to contact the Default unit. Include the case number, case name, Judgment type and your status request in the body of the email.

Helpful Resources for Requesting Default and Default Judgment:

HOW TO ASK FOR A DEFAULT AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT SELF-HELP GUIDE

SAN FRANCISCO LOCAL RULE 6.6 DEFAULT AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT

GUIDELINES FOR PROCESSING DEFAULT JUDGMENTS (SFCIV-020)

GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING DEFAULT AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT ON UNLAWFUL DETAINER ACTIONS (SFCIV-012)

These are only guidelines and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. It may not include all of the information that is legally required. Parties must also consult the Judgment Checklists  for further guidance on the requirements for obtaining judgments in Civil proceedings.

Fee Schedule for Attorney Compensation for Limited Jurisdiction Cases

Default Prove-Up Information

Default Judgment Prove-up Calendar is heard in Department 505 on WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS at 9:00 a.m.

Prove-Up hearing dates are obtained at the time of the submission of the motion to the Court. Cases mandated to e-filing must e-file the motion without a hearing date. You may suggest up to three (3) preferred dates (60 to 90 days out)  using the "Note to Clerk" option at the time the motion is submitted for e-filing. The clerk will select and schedule the hearing in accordance with CCP § 1005 and available calendar space.   The fee for the noticed motion is $60. The fee to file a request to waive the appearance of witness is $20; by ex parte application is $60.

Courtesy copies of Default Prove-Up documents to be heard in Department 505 must be submitted to Department 505  (7-10 days) prior to the hearing.  After your hearing is scheduled, you may email the department directly at Department505@sftc.org. 

There’s also more information about e-filing documents for defaults on this link: https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/online-services/efiling/efiling-special-instructions#defaults

The moving party may obtain a copy of the filed motion with the hearing date from the Case Information page; select case query and enter the last six (6) digits of the case number; highlight the document needed and select “View Document”.

Counsel and parties can appear by videoconference and the public can view and/or listen to hearings, by clicking on the appropriate links below:

Department 505 Prove-Up Hearings

Meeting ID: 160 4132 4666

Passcode: 872834

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cases mandated to e-filing MUST be submitted electronically unless the party is a pro per (Effective 12/8/14 cases mandated to e-filing MUST be submitted electronically unless the party is a pro per).
• One of the main reasons a Default is rejected is due to ‘typos.' Please check your information on lines 1a, 1b, and 1c on your CIV-100 form and make sure it matches the body of the complaint.  Plaintiff and Defendant names on all default forms and Proof(s) of Service of Summons must match EXACTLY how they appear in the body of the complaint.
• All documents in a default packet must be e-filed within the same transaction, but as separate documents. 
• Most documents are imaged and are available for viewing by going to the Case Information page; go to case query to view your case, with the exception of UD cases that are restricted.
• Effective Jan-01-2024, the EJ-195 (Notice of Renewal of Judgment) form has been revised.   The Notice of Renewal of Judgment is no longer issued at the time the EJ-190 (Application for and Renewal of Judgment) is filed.  The Notice of Renewal of Judgment must be served with a copy of the  EJ-190 (Application for and Renewal of Judgment) attached.  Until proof of service of the Notice of Renewal of Judgment  is filed, no writ may be issued, nor may any enforcement proceedings be commenced to enforce the judgment, except to the extent that the judgment would be enforceable had it not been renewed.  (CRC, Rule 3.1900 and CCP § 683.160)