Action to recognize a foreign-country money judgment: 10 years from the date the judgment became effective in the foreign country (or earlier if it stops being effective there)
120 months after date the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1721.
Rule text
CCP 1721: "An action to recognize a foreign-country judgment shall be commenced within the earlier of the time during which the foreign-country judgment is effective in the foreign country or 10 years from the date that the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country."
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Add 120 months: Thursday, November 6, 2036.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1721
CCP 1721: "An action to recognize a foreign-country judgment shall be commenced within the earlier of the time during which the foreign-country judgment is effective in the foreign country or 10 years from the date that the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country."Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 350
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 350: "An action is commenced, within the meaning of this Title, when the complaint is filed."Official source
- 10 years = 120 months. Whichever is earlier: the other alternative (end of effectiveness under foreign law) is event-dependent and must be checked separately.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Monday, March 16, 2037.
- Trigger (Date the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Add 120 months: Sunday, March 15, 2037.
- That day is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, March 16, 2037 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 350).
Notes
10 years = 120 months. Whichever is earlier: the other alternative (end of effectiveness under foreign law) is event-dependent and must be checked separately.
Related deadlines
- Action upon a judgment (U.S. or sister-state court): 10 years (120 months after)
Rules current as of 2026-10-27. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.