California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 2948

A mortgage of real property may be made in substantially the following form:

This mortgage, made the ______ day of ______, in the year ______, by A. B., of ______, mortgagor, to C. D., of ______, mortgagee, witnesseth:

That the mortgagor mortgages to the mortgagee [here describe the property], as security for the payment to him of ______ dollars, on [or before] the ______ day of ______, in the year ______, with interest thereon [or as security for the payment of an obligation, describing it, etc.] A.B.