Except as provided in Section 668.5, the clerk of the superior court, must keep, with the records of the court, a book called the "judgment book," in which judgments must be entered.
§ 668.Judgment Book
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 8. The Manner of Giving and Entering Judgment · Last amended 2003 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 668 requires the superior court clerk to keep a judgment book recording all judgments, except in counties that qualify for § 668.5's electronic or microfilm alternative.
Full Text of § 668
Plain-English Summary
This is a short administrative rule: outside of counties covered by § 668.5's alternative, the clerk of the superior court has to maintain a "judgment book" as part of the court's records, and every judgment goes into it.
Most courts today rely on the electronic and microfilm systems § 668.5 describes rather than a physical judgment book, but § 668 is still the default rule that applies when those alternatives aren't in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the judgment book?
A record the clerk of the superior court keeps of the judgments entered in that court.
Does every county still use a physical judgment book?
No, § 668.5 lets counties with electronic or microfilm recordkeeping skip it.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2002 ch 784 (SB 1316),s 66, eff. 1/1/2003.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: judgment book california