How to Fill Out California Form MC-012 (w/Examples) + FAQs

If you won a money judgment in California, you fill out Form MC-012 to record post-judgment costs, credits paid, and accrued interest before you collect. The form turns your unpaid judgment into a current, enforceable dollar amount on a writ of execution or other collection paper.

Roughly one in three civil judgments in California go unpaid for more than a year, according to data tracked by the California Courts Self-Help Center, which is why MC-012 matters so much. The form forces you to do the math the right way, gives the debtor credit for what they paid, and protects you from a quick objection under Code of Civil Procedure § 685.070(c).

Here is what this guide covers:

• 📝 Line-by-line walkthrough of every box and declaration on MC-012
• 💰 How to calculate 10%, 7%, and the new 2% medical-debt interest rates
• ⚖️ Three named worked examples with real numbers and dates
• 🚫 Seven costly mistakes that get MC-012 forms struck or objected to
• 📬 Service, filing, and timing rules under California Rules of Court 3.1700

What Form MC-012 Actually Is

Form MC-012, titled Acknowledgment of Satisfaction, Memorandum of Costs After Judgment, Acknowledgment of Credit, and Declaration of Accrued Interest, is a Judicial Council of California form. It is not optional paperwork. If you want a sheriff to seize wages, levy a bank account, or place a lien using a writ of execution, the clerk needs an updated balance, and MC-012 is how you give it.

The form has three working parts. The Memorandum of Costs After Judgment lists money you spent enforcing the judgment, like sheriff fees and filing costs allowed under CCP § 685.040. The Acknowledgment of Credit lists every dollar the debtor paid since judgment. The Declaration of Accrued Interest shows the running interest at the legal rate set by CCP § 685.010.

A common misconception is that MC-012 creates new rights. It does not. It only memorializes what the law already allows. The consequence of skipping it is that the writ clerk uses your original judgment amount, and you lose every dollar of post-judgment interest and cost recovery that you forgot to claim.

For example, Carlos Mendez sued a former tenant in Riverside and won $9,800 in 2023. He never filed MC-012. When he finally levied a bank account in 2026, the sheriff collected only $9,800, even though the debtor actually owed roughly $11,750 with interest. Carlos lost almost $1,950 because he assumed the judgment “auto-updated.”

The form must be signed under penalty of perjury per CCP § 2015.5. False numbers can trigger sanctions and even criminal exposure. The plain-English point: if you list a cost or interest figure you cannot back up, you are swearing to it under oath.

Who Files MC-012 and When

The judgment creditor (the winner who is owed money) files MC-012. The judgment debtor (the loser who owes money) almost never files it, except to demand an acknowledgment of partial satisfaction under CCP § 724.110. Knowing your role matters, because the form is signed and verified differently depending on which side you are on.

Timing is governed by CCP § 685.070(b). You must file MC-012 within two years of incurring the cost you want reimbursed. If you wait longer, the cost is forever waived, and you cannot revive it by filing an amended form. The consequence is hard: a $200 sheriff fee from 2022 is gone in 2025 if you sat on it.

You also must serve the debtor a copy before filing, not after. Service is by mail under CCP § 1013, and the debtor then has 10 days plus 5 for mailing to file a motion to tax costs. Filing before serving is a frequent procedural error that gets costs struck.

A real example: Priya Shah, a Sacramento landlord, mailed MC-012 to her former tenant on May 1, 2026, and filed the original with the court the same day. The tenant had until May 16, 2026, to object. Because Priya served first and filed second on the same day with proof of service attached, the clerk accepted the form without question.

The form is not used in small claims the same way. Small claims creditors typically use Form SC-145 (writ packet) and may attach an MC-012 only when transferring the small claims judgment to civil for enforcement. Confusing the two forums is a common error that delays collection by weeks.

Caption Box — Top of Page 1

The caption is everything above the title line. It must mirror the original judgment caption exactly, including the court branch, case number, and party names. If your case was titled Mendez v. Acme Roofing, Inc., the MC-012 must say the same, in the same order, with the same spelling. The consequence of a mismatch is that the clerk may reject the filing or the debtor may argue the costs apply to a different case.

In the attorney/party box at the upper left, self-represented creditors write “In Pro Per” or “Self-Represented” where the State Bar number would be. Attorneys list their bar number. The mailing address you put here is the address the debtor uses to serve any motion to tax costs, so use one you actually monitor.

The court name block must include the exact branch. “Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Stanley Mosk Courthouse” is correct. “LA Superior” is not. A misnamed branch can route the filing to the wrong clerk and cause weeks of delay.

The case number is the original civil case number assigned at filing. Do not invent a new number, even if the judgment was renewed under CCP § 683.120. Renewal does not change the case number, only the expiration date.

A misconception worth busting: people think they can use a DBA or nickname in the caption. They cannot. If the judgment names “John Doe,” the MC-012 must say “John Doe,” even if everyone calls him “JD.” Mismatched names invite claims of exemption and identity disputes at the bank levy stage.

Part 1 — Acknowledgment of Satisfaction (Full or Partial)

This part is checked only if the judgment is fully or partially paid off. A full acknowledgment under CCP § 724.030 closes the judgment forever. A partial acknowledgment leaves the rest collectible. Most creditors filing MC-012 to update a balance leave Part 1 blank and skip to the memorandum of costs.

If you do mark “Full,” you must also sign in front of a notary public per CCP § 724.060, or your signature is invalid. The consequence of skipping the notary is that the debtor cannot use the form to clear an abstract of judgment lien from the county recorder, and you may owe the debtor $100 plus actual damages under CCP § 724.050.

A common misconception: creditors think a partial payoff also needs notarization. It does not. Only the full acknowledgment requires notary. Partial credits go in Part 3 and are signed under penalty of perjury, not before a notary.

Example: Rachel Kim won a $20,000 judgment, and the debtor wired $20,000 plus all interest in March 2026. Rachel marked “Full” in Part 1, signed before a notary at her credit union, and recorded the form with the Los Angeles County Recorder. The lien on the debtor’s home cleared in about 10 business days.

Part 2 — Memorandum of Costs After Judgment

This is where you list every cost you incurred after the original judgment was entered. Costs before judgment go on a different form, MC-010, filed under California Rules of Court 3.1700. Mixing the two is a top reason costs get struck.

Allowable Costs Under CCP § 685.040

CCP § 685.040 limits post-judgment costs to those that are reasonable and necessary to enforce the judgment. The statute names specific categories: levy fees, recording fees, statutory attorney fees, and certain process server costs. Anything outside the statute is presumptively not recoverable.

The California Supreme Court’s reasoning in Lucky United Properties Investment, Inc. v. Lee (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 125 confirmed that creditors cannot pad costs with general overhead, postage, or office time. The consequence of padding is a granted motion to tax and a public order finding your declaration was not credible.

Example: Daniel Owens listed “$300 office time researching debtor assets” on his MC-012. The debtor moved to tax, and the judge struck the $300 because office time is not authorized by CCP § 685.040. Daniel kept the $40 levy fee and the $25 abstract recording fee, both clearly allowed.

Line 4a — Statutory Attorney Fees

Attorney fees are recoverable post-judgment only when authorized by contract or statute, per CCP § 685.040. A contract clause that says “prevailing party recovers attorney fees” usually carries through to enforcement. Without such a clause or a fee-shifting statute, leave 4a blank.

You must attach a separate motion for these fees in some courts. Local rules vary, so check your court’s local rules page before filing. The consequence of skipping a required motion is automatic denial of the fee, even if your contract supports it.

A misconception is that you can claim future attorney fees on MC-012. You cannot. The form only memorializes fees already incurred and approved by court order.

Line 7 — Total Post-Judgment Costs

Line 7 totals all itemized costs from lines 1 through 6. It must add up correctly. Math errors here are the #1 reason clerks bounce the form back. The consequence of a wrong total is a re-filing, re-service, and another 15-day waiting period.

Part 3 — Acknowledgment of Credit

Part 3 is where you give the debtor credit for everything they paid since judgment, whether voluntarily or through garnishment. CCP § 724.250 requires creditors to record partial payments accurately and in good faith. Failing to credit the debtor is a separate cause of action that can cost you damages.

You list each payment with the date received and the amount. The order matters because California uses the U.S. Rule of payment application: each payment is applied first to accrued interest, then to costs, then to principal. The consequence is that a $500 payment on a judgment with $200 of accrued interest only knocks $300 off the principal.

Example: Maria Lopez won $10,000 on January 15, 2024. The debtor paid $1,000 on January 15, 2025, when one year of interest at 10% had accrued ($1,000). Under the U.S. Rule, the entire $1,000 payment went to interest. Principal remained $10,000. Many creditors mistakenly subtract from principal first, which understates the balance owed.

A common misconception: creditors think they can apply payments however they want. They cannot, unless the debtor designates the application in writing at the time of payment, per Civil Code § 1479. Without that designation, the U.S. Rule controls.

Part 4 — Declaration of Accrued Interest

This is the math heavy part. Interest on California money judgments accrues daily and is simple, not compound, under CCP § 685.020. It starts the day the judgment is entered, not the day of the verdict, and it stops the day the form is signed.

The 10% Default Rate (CCP § 685.010)

Most private money judgments accrue at 10% per year, set by CCP § 685.010. The daily rate is 10% ÷ 365, or about 0.0274% per day. On a $10,000 judgment, that is roughly $2.74 per day in interest.

The plain-English formula is: (Principal × 0.10 × Days) ÷ 365. For a $10,000 judgment outstanding 500 days, the interest is (10,000 × 0.10 × 500) ÷ 365 ≈ $1,369.86. Round to the nearest cent on the form.

The consequence of using a monthly approximation instead of daily is an overstatement, which the debtor will catch in a motion to tax. Use daily math every time.

The 7% Public Entity Rate

Judgments against the State of California or its subdivisions accrue at 7% per year under Article XV § 1 of the California Constitution. This is the constitutional cap when no statute sets a different rate. The consequence of using 10% against a city or state agency is a granted motion to tax and lost credibility.

Example: Jamal Brooks won $50,000 against a city public works department in 2025. He correctly used 7% on MC-012, accruing about $9.59 per day instead of the $13.70 per day he would have claimed at 10%.

The 2% Medical Debt Cap (SB 1200)

Senate Bill 1200, effective January 1, 2023, caps post-judgment interest at 2% per year on personal-debt judgments arising from medical expenses. The cap is codified at CCP § 685.011. The consequence of charging 10% on a medical-debt judgment is automatic strike and possible Rosenthal Act exposure under Civil Code § 1788.

A misconception is that SB 1200 only applies to hospitals. It applies to any judgment based on personal medical debt, including dental, ambulance, and lab bills, when the debtor is a natural person.

Worked Interest Calculation Walk-Through

Take a $15,000 judgment entered January 15, 2024, with a single $2,000 payment on January 15, 2025, and the calculation through May 19, 2026. Step one: from January 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, is 366 days (leap year). Interest at 10% = (15,000 × 0.10 × 366) ÷ 365 = $1,504.11.

Step two: apply the $2,000 payment under the U.S. Rule. First $1,504.11 wipes interest. The remaining $495.89 reduces principal to $14,504.11. Step three: from January 15, 2025, to May 19, 2026, is 489 days. Interest = (14,504.11 × 0.10 × 489) ÷ 365 = $1,943.21.

Total balance on May 19, 2026: principal $14,504.11 + accrued interest $1,943.21 + post-judgment costs (say, $65 in sheriff fees and recording) = $16,512.32. That is the number the writ clerk uses.

Three Common Scenarios on MC-012

The cleanest way to see how MC-012 works is to walk through three real fact patterns and what gets entered where.

Fact Pattern	What Goes on MC-012
Credit-card judgment, $8,000 entered 2024, debtor paid $500 in 2025	Part 3 lists $500 credit dated; Part 4 calculates 10% from entry to signing date; Part 2 lists $40 levy + $25 recording fees
Hospital bill judgment, $4,500 entered 2024, no payments	Part 4 calculates 2% per year under SB 1200; Part 2 lists allowed enforcement costs only
City of Oakland public-entity judgment, $25,000 entered 2025	Part 4 calculates 7% per year under California Constitution; Part 2 lists statutory costs; Part 1 left blank

Each scenario uses the same MC-012 but a different rate and different boxes. The form is flexible, but the rate choice is not. Picking the wrong one is the fastest way to lose money or face sanctions.

Mistakes to Avoid on MC-012

Even careful creditors slip up on this form. Here are the seven errors that trigger the most motions to tax and clerk rejections.

• Filing before serving the debtor. CCP § 685.070(b) requires service on the debtor first. Filing first means the clock to object never starts and the costs are vulnerable.
• Compound interest math. California uses simple interest under CCP § 685.020. Compounding inflates the balance and gets the form struck.
• Wrong interest rate. Using 10% on medical debt or against a public entity is an automatic loss in court.
• Padding costs with overhead. Postage, mileage, and office time are not allowed under Lucky United v. Lee.
• Missing payment credits. Failing to credit the debtor under CCP § 724.250 can spawn a separate damages claim.
• Late filing of a cost. Costs older than two years are forever waived under CCP § 685.070(b).
• Skipping the notary on Part 1 full satisfaction. Without a notary, the form will not record and the debtor can sue for $100 plus damages under CCP § 724.050.
• Forgetting to attach proof of service. Without Form POS-030 or equivalent, the clerk treats the filing as incomplete.

Do’s and Don’ts of MC-012

A short rule list keeps the form clean and defensible. Each item below comes with the why so you do not just memorize it.

• Do calculate interest daily, because CCP § 685.020 requires day-count accuracy.
• Do mail the form to the debtor before filing, so the 15-day objection window starts cleanly.
• Do keep receipts for every cost, since the debtor can demand them in a motion to tax.
• Do apply payments under the U.S. Rule unless the debtor designated otherwise in writing under Civil Code § 1479.
• Do match the case caption exactly to the original judgment, because clerks reject mismatches.
• Don’t list pre-judgment costs, because those belong on Form MC-010.
• Don’t claim attorney fees without a contract clause or fee-shifting statute, since CCP § 685.040 bars unsupported fees.
• Don’t sign Part 1 “Full” without a notary, because the Los Angeles County Recorder and every other county will reject it.
• Don’t round interest to the nearest dollar, because the debtor will spot the rounding and tax the excess.
• Don’t file MC-012 in small claims court without first transferring the judgment to civil under CCP § 116.820.

Pros and Cons of Filing MC-012

The form is powerful, but it has trade-offs creditors should weigh before filing.

• Pro: It updates the official balance, so the sheriff collects the full amount with interest under CCP § 699.520.
• Pro: It locks in costs that would otherwise be waived after two years per CCP § 685.070.
• Pro: It creates a paper trail, which protects you if the debtor later claims overpayment under CCP § 724.110.
• Pro: It can be combined with a renewal under CCP § 683.120, extending enforcement to 20 years total.
• Pro: It is free to file in most courts, since post-judgment cost memos usually have no filing fee per the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule.
• Con: It opens a 15-day window for the debtor to file a motion to tax costs, which can strike weak entries.
• Con: Errors in math expose you to perjury risk under CCP § 2015.5.
• Con: Filing too often (every few months) annoys judges and can earn a vexatious label under CCP § 391.
• Con: It tips off the debtor that you are about to enforce, giving them time to move assets.
• Con: It does not, by itself, force payment; you still need a writ of execution to actually collect.

Service, Filing, and Proof of Service

After filling in MC-012, you must serve the debtor by first-class mail under CCP § 1013 at their last known address. Personal service is allowed but not required. Any adult who is not a party can do the mailing.

The server signs Form POS-030 (Proof of Service by First-Class Mail), which gets attached to the MC-012 when you file with the court. The consequence of skipping POS-030 is the clerk treats the filing as incomplete, and the 15-day objection window never opens.

File the original MC-012 plus POS-030 with the same court that issued the judgment, in the same case file. E-filing is allowed in most counties; check your court’s e-filing portal. Keep a stamped copy in your records.

A misconception is that you can serve the debtor’s lawyer instead of the debtor when the case is closed. You cannot, unless the lawyer has a current authorization on file post-judgment per CCP § 1015. Most attorneys withdraw their representation once the judgment is final.

Motion to Tax Costs (MC-013)

The debtor’s primary defense against MC-012 is a motion to tax costs, filed within 15 days of service (10 days plus 5 for mailing). The motion challenges any cost the debtor believes is unreasonable, unauthorized, or already paid. The court then holds a hearing.

The creditor must come ready to prove every line item with receipts, levy fee schedules, and recording stamps. The consequence of weak proof is that the judge strikes the cost and may award the debtor’s costs of the motion under CCP § 685.070(d).

Example: Tina Reyes moved to tax a $475 line item her creditor labeled “investigator fees.” The creditor produced no invoice, only a handwritten note. The judge struck the entire $475 and awarded Tina $60 in motion costs.

Renewing the Judgment Alongside MC-012

A California money judgment expires 10 years after entry unless renewed under CCP § 683.120. Renewal is done with Form EJ-190, and creditors often file MC-012 in tandem to lock in costs and interest before renewal locks the new principal.

The reasoning is mechanical: once a judgment is renewed under CCP § 683.150, the renewed amount becomes the new principal, and interest starts accruing on that bigger number. The consequence of filing MC-012 first is a slightly higher renewed balance and faster compounding-style growth (still simple interest, but on a larger base).

A common misconception is that renewal cancels prior MC-012 filings. It does not. All prior filings remain in the court file as evidence of the running balance.

Recapping Key Court Rulings

Three opinions shape MC-012 practice. Lucky United Properties Investment, Inc. v. Lee (2010) confirmed that overhead and unsupported costs are not recoverable post-judgment. Globalist Internet Technologies, Inc. v. Reda (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1267 held that the two-year clock under CCP § 685.070 is strict and unforgiving.

Jaffe v. Pacelli (2008) 165 Cal.App.4th 927 reinforced that creditors must apply payments under the U.S. Rule absent debtor designation. Together, these cases tell creditors the same thing: be precise, be timely, be honest. The consequence of ignoring them is lost money and possible sanctions.

Where to Get the Form and Help

The current MC-012 (revised effective January 1, 2024) is available free at the Judicial Council forms page. Self-represented filers can also use the California Courts Self-Help Center for plain-English instructions and worksheets.

Many counties run free Self-Help Centers inside the courthouse where staff can review your math. Legal aid organizations like Bay Area Legal Aid or Public Counsel help low-income creditors and debtors with form review at no cost. The consequence of skipping these resources is usually a math error that costs more than a paid attorney would.

FAQs

Do I have to file MC-012 every year?

No. You file only when you want to enforce the judgment, claim new costs, or update interest, but costs older than two years are waived under CCP § 685.070.

Is interest on a California judgment compound or simple?

No, it is not compound. California uses simple interest under CCP § 685.020, calculated daily on the unpaid principal.

Does the 2% medical debt cap apply to old judgments?

Yes. SB 1200 applies to interest accruing on or after January 1, 2023, even on judgments entered earlier, when the underlying debt is personal medical.

Can I file MC-012 myself without a lawyer?

Yes. Self-represented creditors regularly file MC-012 using the free Judicial Council forms and self-help resources.

Do I need to notarize MC-012?

No, except when you mark Part 1 as a full satisfaction of judgment, which requires notarization under CCP § 724.060.

Can the debtor object to my MC-012?

Yes. The debtor has 15 days after mail service to file a motion to tax costs under CCP § 685.070(c).

Does MC-012 work for small claims judgments?

No, not directly. You must transfer the small claims judgment to civil court under CCP § 116.820 before filing MC-012.

Is there a filing fee for MC-012?

No. Most California courts charge no fee for post-judgment cost memoranda per the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule.

Can I include attorney fees on MC-012?

Yes, but only if a contract clause or fee-shifting statute authorizes them, per CCP § 685.040, and many courts require a separate fee motion.

Do I list payments the sheriff collected from a wage garnishment?

Yes. Every dollar applied to the judgment, including sheriff-collected wages, must be credited in Part 3 under CCP § 724.250.

Can MC-012 extend the life of a judgment?

No. Only Form EJ-190 renewal extends the 10-year life under CCP § 683.120; MC-012 only updates the balance.

What happens if I make a math mistake on MC-012?

No good outcome. A debtor motion to tax will likely strike the wrong figure, and intentional errors expose you to perjury under CCP § 2015.5.