File request for entry of default
10 days after date the defendant's time to respond elapsed (with no response and no extension), under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(g).
Rule text
If a responsive pleading is not served within the time limits specified in this rule and no extension of time has been granted, the plaintiff must file a request for entry of default within 10 days after the time for service has elapsed.
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date the defendant's time to respond elapsed (with no response and no extension)): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 10 calendar days: Monday, November 16, 2026.
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(g)
If a responsive pleading is not served within the time limits specified in this rule and no extension of time has been granted, the plaintiff must file a request for entry of default within 10 days after the time for service has elapsed.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10
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 12b: "If any city, county, state, or public office, other than a branch office, is closed for the whole of any day, insofar as the business of that office is concerned, that day shall be considered as a holiday for the purposes of computing time under Sections 12 and 12a." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135."Official source
- Chain: response due date (answer_to_complaint, including any 3.110(d) stipulated 15-day extension, 430.41 automatic extension, or 418.10 extension) + 10 days. Sanction is an OSC (3.110(g)), not loss of the right to default. Not applicable to collections cases (3.740(a)), unlawful detainer, Family Code.
- 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 defendant's time to respond elapsed (with no response and no extension) on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Thursday, March 25, 2027.
- Trigger (Date the defendant's time to respond elapsed (with no response and no extension)): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 10 calendar days: Thursday, March 25, 2027.
Notes
Chain: response due date (answer_to_complaint, including any 3.110(d) stipulated 15-day extension, 430.41 automatic extension, or 418.10 extension) + 10 days. Sanction is an OSC (3.110(g)), not loss of the right to default. Not applicable to collections cases (3.740(a)), unlawful detainer, Family Code.
Related deadlines
- Answer, demurrer, or motion to strike in response to complaint (30 days after)
- Unlawful detainer: response to complaint (10 court days after)
- Response to cross-complaint (30 days after)
- Response to amended complaint (or amended cross-complaint) (30 days after)
- Amend or answer after ruling on demurrer (10 days after)
- Demurrer hearing to be set within 35 days of filing (35 days after)
- Anti-SLAPP special motion to strike (60 days after)
- Serve cross-complaint on new parties and file proof of service (30 days after)
Local rules by county
County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Rules current as of 2026-10-25. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.