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California Unsecured Promissory Note

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Promissory Note Form

California Unsecured Note

PROMISSORY NOTE

(Fixed Rate, Installment Payments)

[Date]

[City]

[State]

[Property Address]

1. BORROWER'S PROMISE TO PAY

In return for a loan that I have received, I promise to pay U.S. $ (this amount is called "principal"), plus interest, to the order of the Lender. The Lender is

I will make all payments under this Note in the form of cash, check, certified funds or money order at the option and direction of Lender. I understand that the Lender may transfer this Note. The Lender or anyone who takes this Note by transfer and who is entitled to receive payments under this Note is called the "Note Holder."

2. INTEREST

Interest will be charged on unpaid principal until the full amount of principal has been paid. I will pay interest at a yearly rate of %. The interest rate required by this Section 2 is the rate I will pay both before and after any default described in Section 6(B) of this Note.

3. PAYMENTS

(A) Time and Place of Payments

I will pay principal and interest by making a payment every month. I will make my monthly payment on the day of each month beginning on . I will make these payments every month until I have paid all of the principal and interest and any other charges described below that I may owe under this Note. Each monthly payment will be applied as of its scheduled due date and will be applied to interest before principal. If, on I still owe amounts under this Note, I will pay those amounts in full on that date, which is called the “maturity date." I will make my monthly payments at

r at a different place if required by the Note Holder.

(B) Amount of Monthly Payments

My monthly payment will be in the amount of U.S. $

4. BORROWER'S RIGHT TO PREPAY

{initial desired provision}

I have the right to make payments of principal at any time before they are due. A payment of principal only is known as a “prepayment.” When I make a prepayment, I will tell the Note Holder in writing that I am doing so. I may not designate a payment as a prepayment if I have not made all the monthly payments due under the Note. I may make a full prepayment or partial prepayments without paying a prepayment charge. The Note Holder will use my prepayments to reduce the amount of principal that I owe under this Note. However, the Note Holder may apply my prepayment to the accrued and unpaid interest on the prepayment amount, before applying my prepayment to reduce the principal amount of the Note. If I make a partial prepayment, there will be no changes in the due date or in the amount of my monthly payment unless the Note Holder agrees in writing to those changes.

I shall not have the right to prepay this Note unless I pay a prepayment penalty for early prepayment in the amount determined by the Note Holder, not to exceed the maximum amount allowed by the laws of the state where the property is located.

5. LOAN CHARGES

If a law, which applies to this loan and which sets maximum loan charges, is finally interpreted so that the interest or other loan charges collected or to be collected in connection with this loan exceed the permitted limits, then: (i) any such loan charge shall be reduced by the amount necessary to reduce the charge to the permitted limit; and (ii) any sums already collected from me which exceeded permitted limits will be refunded to me. The Note Holder may choose to make this refund by reducing the principal I owe under this Note or by making a direct payment to me. If a refund reduces principal, the reduction will be treated as a partial prepayment.

6. BORROWER'S FAILURE TO PAY AS REQUIRED

(A) Late Charge for Overdue Payments and Receipt of Payments

If the Note Holder has not received the full amount of any monthly payment by the end of {enter days before late charges are due under your State's laws} calendar days after the date it is due, I will pay a late charge to the Note Holder. The amount of the charge will be % of my overdue payment of principal and interest or dollars for each late payment]. I will pay this late charge promptly but only once on each late payment. In no event will the late charge exceed the maximum amount allowed by the applicable state law.

Payments to the note holder shall not be considered made until received by the Note Holder at the address specified. Mailing is insufficient to constitute delivery to the Note Holder.

The number of days required for payment of a late charge shall not be considered as a grace period for the payment date required under this Note and the Borrower shall be default if the payment is not paid on the due date.

(B) Default

If I do not pay the full amount of each monthly payment on the date it is due, I will be in default.

(C) Notice of Default

If I am in default, the Note Holder may send me a written notice telling me that if I do not pay the overdue amount by a certain date, the Note Holder may require me to pay immediately the full amount of principal which has not been paid and all the interest that I owe on that amount. That date must be at least 30 days after the date on which the notice is mailed to me or delivered by other means.

(D) No Waiver By Note Holder

Even if, at a time when I am in default, the Note Holder does not require me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will still have the right to do so if I am in default at a later time.

(E) Payment of Note Holder's Costs and Expenses

If the Note Holder has required me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will have the right to be paid back by me for all of its costs and expenses in enforcing this Note to the extent not prohibited by applicable law. Those expenses include, for example, reasonable attorneys' fees.

7. GIVING OF NOTICES

Unless applicable law requires a different method, any notice that must be given to me under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to me at the Property Address above or at a different address if I give the Note Holder a notice of my different address. Any notice that must be given to the Note Holder under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to the Note Holder at the address stated in Section 3(A) above or at a different address if I am given a notice of that different address.

8. OBLIGATIONS OF PERSONS UNDER THIS NOTE

If more than one person signs this Note, each person is fully and personally obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note, including the promise to pay the full amount owed. Any person who is a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note is also obligated to do these things. Any person who takes over these obligations, including the obligations of a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note, is also obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note. The Note Holder may enforce its rights under this Note against each person individually or against all of us together. This means that any one of us may be required to pay all of the amounts owed under this Note.

9. WAIVERS

I and any other person who has obligations under this Note waive the rights of presentment and notice of dishonor. "Presentment” means the right to require the Note Holder to demand payment of amounts due. “Notice of dishonor" means the right to require the Note Holder to give notice to other persons that amounts due have not been paid.

WITNESS THE HAND(S) AND SEAL(S) OF THE UNDERSIGNED

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

(Seal)

Borrower

Enter text

What a California Unsecured Promissory Note Is and when it’s used

A California Unsecured Promissory Note is a written, legally binding promise by a borrower to repay a specified sum to a lender under stated terms, without a security interest in real or personal property. It sets the principal, interest, payment schedule, default remedies, and governing law. Unsecured notes rely on the borrower’s credit and contractual remedies rather than collateral; lenders may pursue judgment and collection if the borrower defaults. Many private loans, family loans, and short-term business advances in California use unsecured promissory notes to document obligations clearly.

Why documenting an unsecured loan matters

A written California Unsecured Promissory Note creates clear payment terms, evidence of debt, and a contractual basis for collection or litigation if necessary. It reduces misunderstandings and provides documentation for tax and accounting purposes.

Why documenting an unsecured loan matters

Who typically prepares and signs these notes

Use the note when you need enforceable, written proof of debt but do not intend to create or record a security interest.

  • Private lenders and investors using notes to formalize personal or portfolio loans with clear repayment schedules.
  • Small business owners borrowing from friends, owners, or lines of credit to document terms and protect business records.
  • Individuals (family or peer-to-peer) creating written evidence of a loan to avoid disputes and provide proof for taxes.

Step-by-step: preparing and executing the note

Follow these sequential steps to complete, sign, and distribute a California Unsecured Promissory Note correctly.

  • 01
    Draft terms: Define principal, rate, schedule, and default provisions clearly in writing.
  • 02
    Verify parties: Confirm legal names and addresses to ensure enforceability and proper service.
  • 03
    Sign and date: Obtain all signatures and dates; keep copies with original signatures or validated e-sign records.
  • 04
    Distribute copies: Provide signed copies to both lender and borrower; retain originals in the loan file.

How to configure an online completion workflow

Set up a repeatable digital workflow that ensures correct field placement, signer order, and retention of evidence.

Field Configuration
Principal Field Require numeric format with currency mask and validation.
Interest Field Constrain to percentage format and show example.
Signature Field Place final signature for each party with date field.
Signer Order Set lender first or borrower first depending on workflow.

Where to send and how to store completed notes

After execution, route signed copies to the parties and store a master file with supporting evidence and audit trail.

  • Lender File: Retain the original signed copy and proof of delivery for collections.
  • Borrower Copy: Provide a fully executed copy for the borrower’s records and accounting.
  • Accounting: Record loan details in accounting software and reconcile payments.
  • Legal Counsel: Share copies with counsel if complex terms or disputes are anticipated.

Digital signing and platform requirements

Ensure the platform provides tamper-evident PDFs, an audit trail, and export options for long-term retention and compliance.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX supported for preservation and signatures.
  • Integrations: Options for Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, and Box.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced signer verification methods.

Required details to include on the note

Parties: Full legal names
Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP
Principal: Exact dollar amount
Interest: Annual percentage rate
Repayment: Schedule and due dates
Default Terms: Remedies and fees

Key provisions to include in a professional California Unsecured Promissory Note

A complete note anticipates payment mechanics, enforcement, and contingencies; include clear clauses to reduce later disputes.

Principal and Interest

Specify the exact principal amount, how interest is calculated (simple or compound), the APR, any maximum or floor rates, and rounding rules so both parties understand accrual and total owed.

Payment Terms

Describe payment schedule, installment amounts, payment methods, due dates, grace periods, and how partial payments are applied to principal or interest to avoid ambiguity.

Prepayment and Fees

State whether prepayment is allowed, if there are penalties, late fees, returned-check fees, and fee caps to ensure transparent cost allocation for the borrower.

Default and Remedies

Define events of default, acceleration rights, collection costs, and attorney fees so the lender’s remedies and borrower obligations are clearly documented.

Governing Law and Venue

Designate California law as the governing law and name the county or court for disputes to reduce jurisdictional uncertainty and litigation venue disputes.

Representations and Warranties

Include borrower representations (authority, solvency) and lender acknowledgments to allocate risk and support enforceability if contested.

Common errors to avoid when preparing the note

  • Using ambiguous payment terms such as 'due on demand' without defined notice procedures and timing for demand.
  • Failing to specify whether interest compounds and on what schedule, leading to calculation disputes and accounting mismatches.
  • Omitting default remedies or acceleration language, which can limit collection options and delay enforcement.
  • Entering mismatched party names or addresses, which can hinder service of process or challenge the note’s validity.

Risks and legal consequences of an incorrect or incomplete note

Enforceability Risk: Ambiguous terms may render remedies unenforceable
Usury Exposure: Excessive rates risk state usury penalties
Tax Consequences: Misreported interest affects returns
Collection Costs: Borrower nonpayment increases legal expenses
Judgment Delay: Incomplete documentation slows court remedies
Withholding Trigger: Missing TIN can trigger backup withholding

eSignature pricing and capability comparison relevant to promissory notes

Select a provider that supports secure PDFs, audit trails, and required compliance (HIPAA/BAA if applicable). Pricing below highlights common starting points and feature availability.

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 trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Who signs and who approves the note

Lender — Loan Officer

A lender’s representative signs to accept the note, confirm terms, and acknowledge receipt of executed document. The lender maintains the original and enforces payment rights under stated remedies.

Borrower — Individual

The borrower signs to accept the obligation, agree to repayment terms, and permit credit checks or collection procedures as stated. Accurate identity and signature attribution are crucial for enforceability.

Frequently asked questions about California Unsecured Promissory Notes

Answers to common legal and practical questions about completing, signing, and preserving an unsecured note in California.


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