California Conditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment

Learn when this CA Civil Code ยง 8136 form is appropriate, then use the selector tool to confirm and download the correct California waiver PDF.

When to use the Conditional Final form?

In California, the Conditional Waiver on Final Payment should be used when:

  • The project is 100% complete and you are billing for your final invoice.
  • You are requesting the release of your final retention money.
  • You have NOT yet received the final check, or it hasn't cleared your bank account.
Why it's essential: This is the most common form exchanged at the end of a job. It tells the General Contractor/Owner "I will permanently waive my lien rights to this property, but ONLY after this final payment clears the bank."

When NOT to use this form?

  • If you already have the money in the bank: You must use the Unconditional Final waiver to formally close out the job.
  • If you will have more invoices coming later: Do not use this form. Use a Progress Payment waiver instead, even if it's the end of a particular phase.

Not sure if this is the right form? Use our quick Waiver Selector Tool.