Default judgment in Oregon: how to set it aside

Missed the deadline? Here is how to ask the court to cancel the default.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

A default judgment means the court decided against you because you didn't answer. File a motion under ORCP 71 B to be relieved from the judgment for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, fraud or similar reasons, within a reasonable time and no more than 1 year after you got notice of the judgment.

Shortest time to ask
1 year (ORCP 71 B motion)
Time to answer
30 days

What a default judgment means in Oregon

If you do not appear within 30 days, the plaintiff can ask for a default judgment for the amount claimed plus fees, service costs and a prevailing party fee. That judgment can be used to garnish your wages or bank account or take property.

Asking the court to undo a default in Oregon

File a motion under ORCP 71 B to be relieved from the judgment for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, fraud or similar reasons, within a reasonable time and no more than 1 year after you got notice of the judgment. A judgment for a debt buyer that did not follow ORS 646A.670 can also be challenged by an ORCP 71 motion.

Law: ORCP 71 B(1); ORS 646A.670(2)(b)

Count your deadline to set aside a default

The date is counted in your browser.

The court's name is at the top of the judgment.

An estimate from our state data, not legal advice. Court holidays and local rules can change a deadline. File early, and ask the court clerk if you are not sure.

What the judgment means in Oregon

Interest after the judgment

9% a year simple interest from the date of judgment, unless the contract bears more than 9% (then the contract rate). Interest also runs on attorney fees and costs in the judgment.

How long it lasts

Judgment remedies expire 10 years after the judgment is entered. Before they expire, the creditor can extend them once by filing a certificate of extension; the extended remedies expire 10 years after the certificate is filed.

Law: ORS 82.010(2); ORS 18.180(3); ORS 18.182(1), (5)

After a judgment in Oregon

Military service and defaults

Before the court gives the plaintiff a default judgment, the plaintiff must file a sworn statement saying whether you are in military service.

Law: 50 U.S.C. 3931(b)(1)

What to do now in Oregon

  1. Get the judgment papers

    Get the judgment from the clerk; the date on it starts your time limits.

  2. Act within the time limit

    In Oregon: File a motion under ORCP 71 B to be relieved from the judgment for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, fraud or similar reasons, within a reasonable time and no more than 1 year after you got notice of the judgment.

  3. Give your reason and your defense

    Most courts want to know why you didn't answer and what your defense is. Attach your answer if the court asks.

  4. Watch for garnishment

    Read After a judgment in Oregon.

Free help in Oregon

Questions about default judgments in Oregon

What is the deadline to answer a debt suit in Oregon?

Circuit court civil action: file a motion or answer within 30 days from the date you were served. Small claims: return the Defendant's Response within 30 calendar days after you received service (you can deny the claim, pay it, counterclaim, or ask for a jury trial if the claim is over $750).

Can the plaintiff win by default in Oregon?

If you do not appear within 30 days, the plaintiff can ask for a default judgment for the amount claimed plus fees, service costs and a prevailing party fee. That judgment can be used to garnish your wages or bank account or take property.

How long do I have to undo a default in Oregon?

File a motion under ORCP 71 B to be relieved from the judgment for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, fraud or similar reasons, within a reasonable time and no more than 1 year after you got notice of the judgment. A judgment for a debt buyer that did not follow ORS 646A.670 can also be challenged by an ORCP 71 motion.

Related Oregon pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources