In superior courts the following papers, without being attached together, shall constitute the judgment roll:
§ 670.Papers Constituting Judgment Roll
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 670 lists the papers that make up the judgment roll in superior court, differing depending on whether the defendant defaulted by not answering or the case was contested, and covering everything from the summons and complaint to the verdict, statement of decision, and judgment itself.
Full Text of § 670
(a) In case the complaint is not answered by any defendant, the summons, with the affidavit or proof of service; the complaint; the request for entry of default with a memorandum indorsed thereon that the default of the defendant in not answering was entered, and a copy of the judgment; if defendant has appeared by demurrer, and the demurrer has been overruled, then notice of the overruling thereof served on defendant's attorney, together with proof of the service; and in case the service so made is by publication, the affidavit for publication of summons, and the order directing the publication of summons.
(b) In all other cases, the pleadings, all orders striking out any pleading in whole or in part, a copy of the verdict of the jury, the statement of decision of the court, or finding of the referee, and a copy of any order made on demurrer, or relating to a change of parties, and a copy of the judgment; if there are two or more defendants in the action, and any one of them has allowed judgment to pass against him or her by default, the summons, with proof of its service, on the defendant, and if the service on the defaulting defendant be by publication, then the affidavit for publication, and the order directing the publication of the summons.
Plain-English Summary
The judgment roll is the official paper record of how a case reached judgment, and § 670 defines its contents differently for two situations. When no defendant answered the complaint, the roll consists of the summons with proof of service, the complaint, the request for entry of default with the clerk's notation that default was entered and a copy of the judgment, notice of any overruled demurrer served on the defendant's attorney with proof of service, and — if service was by publication — the publication affidavit and order.
In every other case, the roll includes the pleadings, any orders striking pleadings in whole or part, a copy of the jury's verdict, the court's statement of decision or the referee's finding, any order on demurrer or on a change of parties, and a copy of the judgment. If multiple defendants were sued and one of them defaulted while others contested the case, the roll also includes the summons and proof of service on the defaulting defendant, with the publication affidavit and order if that service was by publication.
These papers don't have to be physically attached together — the statute only requires that they, collectively, constitute the judgment roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the judgment roll?
The set of papers that together document how a case reached judgment, as defined in § 670.
What goes into the judgment roll when a defendant never answered?
The summons and proof of service, the complaint, the default entry request and judgment copy, and, if the defendant demurred, notice of the overruled demurrer.
What goes into the judgment roll in a contested case?
The pleadings, orders striking pleadings, the verdict, the statement of decision or referee's finding, orders on demurrer or party changes, and the judgment.
Do the judgment roll papers need to be physically attached to each other?
No, the statute doesn't require that.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2002 ch 784 (SB 1316),s 67, 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 roll californiacontents of judgment roll