Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

California Unlawful Detainer

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

JUDGMENT - UNLAWFUL DETAINER

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY (Name, state bar number, and address):

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY (Name, state bar number, and address):

UD-110

FOR COURT USE ONLY

TELEPHONE NO.:

FAX NO. (Optional):

E-MAIL ADDRESS (Optional):

ATTORNEY FOR (Name):

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CITY AND ZIP CODE:

BRANCH NAME:

PLAINTIFF:

DEFENDANT:

CASE NUMBER:

JUDGMENT-UNLAWFUL DETAINER

By Clerk

By Default

After Court

Possession Only

Defendant Did Appear at Trial

JUDGMENT

1. BY DEFAULT

a. Defendant was properly served with a copy of the summons and complaint.

b. Defendant failed to answer the complaint or appear and defend the action within the time allowed by law.

c. Defendant's default was entered by the clerk upon plaintiff's application.

d. Clerk's Judgment (Code Civ. Proc., § 1169). For possession only of the premises described on page 2 (item 4).

e. Court Judgment (Code Civ. Proc., § 585(b)). The court considered:

(1) plaintiff's testimony and other evidence.

(2) plaintiff's or others' written declaration and evidence (Code Civ. Proc., § 585(d)).

2. AFTER COURT TRIAL. The jury was waived. The court considered the evidence.

a. The case was tried on (date and time):

before (name of judicial officer):

b. Appearances by:

Plaintiff (name each):

Continued on Attachment 2b (form MC-025).

Defendant (name each):

Continued on Attachment 2b (form MC-025).

Plaintiff's attorney (name each):

Defendant's attorney (name each):

c. Defendant did not appear at trial. Defendant was properly served with notice of trial.

d. A statement of decision (Code Civ. Proc., § 632) was not requested.

3. Parties. Judgment is entered as follows by:

THE COURT

THE CLERK

a. for plaintiff (name each):

and against defendant (name each):

Continued on Attachment 3a (form MC-025).

b. for defendant (name each):

4. Plaintiff Defendant is entitled to possession of the premises located at (street address, apartment, city, and county):

5. Judgment applies to all occupants of the premises including tenants, subtenants if any, and named claimants if any (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 715.010, 1169, and 1174.3).

6. Amount and terms of judgment

a. Defendant named in item 3a above must pay plaintiff on the complaint:

(1) Past-due rent: $

(2) Holdover damages: $

(3) Attorney fees: $

(4) Costs: $

(5) Other (specify): $

(6) TOTAL JUDGMENT $

b. Plaintiff is to receive nothing from defendant named in item 3b.

Defendant named in item 3b is to recover:

costs: $

and attorney fees: $

c. The rental agreement is canceled.

     The lease is forfeited.

7. Conditional judgment. Plaintiff has breached the agreement to provide habitable premises to defendant as stated in Judgment Unlawful Detainer Attachment (form UD-110S), which is attached.

8. Other (specify):

Continued on Attachment 8 (form MC-025).

Date:

JUDICIAL OFFICER

Date:

Clerk, by

Deputy

CLERKS CERTIFICATE (Optional)

I certify that this is a true copy of the original judgment on file in the court.

Date:

Clerk, by

Deputy

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What a California Unlawful Detainer Case Is

A California Unlawful Detainer is the state court action landlords use to recover possession of real property when a tenant unlawfully holds over, fails to pay rent, or otherwise breaches a lease. The statutory procedure appears in the California Code of Civil Procedure (see generally CCP §§1159–1179a and CCP §1161 for common grounds). The complaint seeks a judgment for possession and, where applicable, rent and damages; it is typically filed in the county superior court where the property is located. Timely notice requirements and proper service of process are essential before filing.

Why the Unlawful Detainer Process Matters

The Unlawful Detainer provides a narrow, expedited judicial path to regain possession, obtain a writ of possession, and quantify rent or damages; following statutory notice and service rules preserves legal remedies and reduces risk of dismissal.

Why the Unlawful Detainer Process Matters

Who Typically Prepares or Uses This Form

If you are unsure whether an eviction is appropriate, consult local court rules or qualified counsel before filing to avoid procedural missteps.

  • Private landlords and property owners who need a court order to regain possession.
  • Property managers and asset managers handling high-volume evictions across multiple units.
  • Tenant-attorneys and landlord counsel who draft complaints and handle courtroom hearings.

Step-by-step: Completing and Filing an Unlawful Detainer

Follow these core steps in sequence to preserve procedural rights and prepare for court processing.

  • 01
    Prepare Complaint: Draft complaint and summons with supporting notice details.
  • 02
    File in Court: Submit to the county superior court clerk and pay filing fee.
  • 03
    Serve Tenant: Arrange personal or substituted service by authorized process server or sheriff.
  • 04
    Proceed to Hearing: Attend trial or request default and obtain possession judgment.

Where to File, Serve, and Record the Case

The filing, service, and enforcement steps route through local court and civil process systems; follow local rules for filings and sheriff procedures.

  • Filing Court: County Superior Court where property is located.
  • Service: Personal or substituted service by process server or sheriff.
  • Clerk Acceptance: Court clerk stamps complaint and provides case number.
  • Enforcement: Sheriff executes writ of possession post-judgment.

Digital Workflow Checklist for Online Completion

Set up a repeatable online workflow to reduce errors and speed service preparation.

Field Configuration
Upload Document Use PDF or DOCX original with formatted caption.
Add Fillable Fields Place name, date, and signature fields for each signer.
Authentication Choose email or SMS code signer verification.
Export & File Generate final PDF for e-filing or clerk submission.

Technical Requirements for Electronic Signing and eSubmission

Confirm the court accepts electronically prepared PDFs; maintain an auditable certificate of completion and retain the original audit trail for enforcement.

  • Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms.
  • Integrations: Works with Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace.
  • Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption.

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Unlawful Detainer Workflows

Vendor features and pricing differ; select a provider that balances cost, HIPAA/retention needs, and integrations for court and property workflows.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7‑day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
HIPAA: Compliant — BAA required for PHI workflows
ESIGN / UETA: Compliant — supports legal eSignature frameworks
SOC 2 Type II: Certified — report available on request
ISO 27001: Certified — formal information security program
21 CFR Part 11: Support available for regulated records

Penalties and Risks of Filing Errors

Case Dismissal: Missing notice or service may lead to dismissal.
Default Judgment Risk: Improper defendant naming risks unenforceable judgment.
Delayed Possession: Incorrect filings extend time to regain possession.
Monetary Exposure: Errors can increase damages or fee exposure.
Security Noncompliance: PHI disclosure without BAA may violate HIPAA.
E‑filing Rejection: Court system format errors can reject submissions.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Listing the wrong defendant or omitting occupants, which leads to jurisdictional defects and possible dismissal if not corrected.
  • Failing to serve the required pre-filing notice or misdating the notice period, which negates the court's authority to proceed.
  • Using inconsistent addresses or relying on P.O. boxes for service, causing service challenges for sheriffs and process servers.
  • Uploading unsigned or improperly executed documents for e-filing, resulting in clerk rejection or motion practice.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Preparation

Use templates, validation checks, and a documented review process to reduce rework and preserve remedies.

Validate Names and Addresses
Confirm legal names and physical addresses against lease and government ID; this prevents service and enforcement disputes later in the case.
Track Notice Dates
Record notice served, method, and exact MM/DD/YYYY dates in a centralized file to establish statutory cure periods and prevent filing too soon.
Preserve Evidence
Attach copies of the demand, lease, ledgers, and photos to the complaint; courts rely on documentary support at short hearings.
Use Audit Trails
When using electronic completion, preserve the certificate of completion, IP addresses, and signer authentication logs for enforceability.

How Others Use Electronic Workflows for Evictions

Real-world examples show typical efficiencies and compliance considerations when using electronic templates and signatures.

Martin Properties

A regional landlord standardized UD templates to reduce preparation time.

  • Bulk sending cut document prep overhead per unit.
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security," said Tim Martin, Founder.

BIS

An operations firm integrated signable forms into property management software.

  • Automation ensured notice date accuracy across portfolios.
  • Dan Rotelli, CEO, cited SOC 2 compliance as a key reason for adoption and audit readiness.

FAQs and Troubleshooting for California Unlawful Detainer Filings

Answers to frequent questions about validity, service, e-signatures, and common court process issues.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Affidavit of Loss Release of Interest Proof of Delivery or Mail of Superior Court Maricopa County Notice of Pendency of Action 3 Day Notice to Pay Rent Deed of Trust Form Missouri Permissive Cross Complaint
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.