California Process Server Registered Servers in All 58 Counties, Under Code Civ. Proc. §§ 413.10–417.40

Anyone at least 18 years of age and not a party to the action may serve a summons (Code Civ. Proc. § 414.10). Registration is a separate duty: a natural person who makes more than 10 services of process in California during one calendar year, for compensation directly attributable to the service, must file and maintain a verified certificate of registration with the county clerk of the county where the person resides or has a principal place of business (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22350(a)). The chapter does not reach sheriffs, marshals and government employees acting within their employment, attorneys and their employees serving process in cases the attorney handles, persons a court specially appoints to serve its process, private investigators holding a state license and their employees, or a registered professional photocopier whose only service is of records subpoenas naming it to copy the records (§ 22350(b)). A violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor (§ 22359), yet a service that complies with the Code of Civil Procedure is not invalid or ineffective because the person who made it violated the registration chapter (Code Civ. Proc. § 413.40). A registered server’s return establishes a presumption, affecting the burden of producing evidence, of the facts stated in it (Evid. Code § 647). Under Code Civ. Proc. § 415.21, a gated community or covered multifamily dwelling staffed at the time by a guard or other security personnel must grant access for a reasonable period of time, for the sole purpose of serving process or a subpoena, to a person who displays a current driver’s license or other identification and one of the listed items, among them evidence of current registration as a process server.

For a defendant served under §§ 416.60, 416.70, 416.80 or 416.90, an individual included, the papers may be left only if the summons and complaint cannot with reasonable diligence be personally delivered. They may then be left at the person’s dwelling house, usual place of abode, usual place of business, or usual mailing address other than a United States Postal Service post office box, in the presence of a competent member of the household or a person apparently in charge of the office, place of business or mailing address, at least 18 years of age, who is informed of the contents, and a copy is then mailed first-class, postage prepaid, to the person at the place where the papers were left (§ 415.20(b)). For a corporation, an association, a public entity or another defendant served through a person named in §§ 416.10–416.50, the papers may be left during usual office hours in that person’s office or, if no physical address is known, at the usual mailing address other than a post office box, with the person apparently in charge, then mailed the same way; at a mailing address the person receiving them must be at least 18 and informed of the contents (§ 415.20(a)). Either way, service is deemed complete on the 10th day after the mailing. If the only address reasonably known is a private mailbox at a commercial mail receiving agency, service may be made on the first delivery attempt by leaving the papers with the agency as Bus. & Prof. Code § 17538.5(d) describes (§ 415.20(c)). This version of § 415.20 remains in effect only until January 1, 2027.

Assembly Bill 747 (Stats. 2025, ch. 563) replaces several sections on that date. For substituted service, a party shows reasonable diligence by attempting personal delivery, in good faith, on at least three occasions on three different days at three different times, with one at the dwelling in a consumer-debt action if it is known or could be determined with reasonable effort (§ 415.20(b)(2)–(3)), and the follow-up copy may go by first-class mail, Priority Mail with tracking, or Certified Mail with return receipt requested (§ 415.20(b)(1)). A proof of service for personal, substituted or posted service must include one or more photographs of the site of each effected or attempted service, each carrying a readable stamp that automatically records the date, time and location coordinates; at a home or business at least one photograph must show the door, or the entrance if the door is not reasonably accessible, with an explanation (§ 417.10(a)(1)–(2)). A detailed statement takes the place of the stamp where no signal is available, and of the photograph where taking one would compromise the server’s safety (§ 417.10(a)(1)(B), (a)(4)). A proof signed by a person required to register must show the number the county clerk assigned (§ 417.40), and in actions not arising on a contract or judgment for money or damages only, the clerk enters a default on the plaintiff’s written application and proof of service of the summons (§ 585(b)). If substituted service may be needed, tell us when you order so the attempts can fall on different days and at different times where timing allows.

The summons and complaint are mailed by first-class mail or airmail, postage prepaid, with two copies of the notice and acknowledgment set out in § 415.30(b) and a postage-prepaid return envelope addressed to the sender (§ 415.30(a)). Service is deemed complete on the date the written acknowledgment of receipt is executed, if it is then returned to the sender (§ 415.30(c)), and the proof of service includes that acknowledgment or another written acknowledgment satisfactory to the court (§ 417.10(a)). If the person does not complete and return the form within 20 days from the mailing, that party is liable for the reasonable expenses afterwards incurred in serving or attempting to serve by another method the chapter permits, and, except for good cause shown, the court on motion, with or without notice, shall award those expenses (§ 415.30(d)). Proof may also be made by the written admission of the party (§ 417.10(d)), and a general appearance by a party is equivalent to personal service of summons on that party (§ 410.50(a)).

Under § 416.10, the papers go to the agent designated for service of process under Corp. Code §§ 202, 1502, 2105 or 2107; to the president, chief executive officer or other head of the corporation, a vice president, a secretary or assistant secretary, a treasurer or assistant treasurer, a controller or chief financial officer, a general manager, or a person the corporation authorized to receive service; and, if the corporation is a bank, also to a cashier or assistant cashier. Section 415.20(a) also allows leaving them during usual office hours in the office of the person to be served with the person apparently in charge, then mailing a copy; service is complete on the 10th day after the mailing. The copy served must carry the § 412.30 notice to the person served, or no default may be taken against the corporation. A foreign corporation is validly served by hand delivery to any officer or its general manager in California (for a bank, a cashier or an assistant cashier), to a natural person it designated as agent, or, if it designated a corporate agent, to any person named in that agent’s latest § 1505 certificate (Corp. Code § 2110). When a domestic corporation’s agent has resigned without replacement, cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the designated address, or was never designated, and an affidavit shows to the court’s satisfaction that the process cannot be served with reasonable diligence on the agent by hand under Code Civ. Proc. §§ 415.10, 415.20(a) or 415.30(a), or on the corporation under § 416.10(a), (b) or (c) or § 416.20(a), the court may order hand delivery to the Secretary of State of one copy of the process for each defendant with a copy of the order, complete on the 10th day after delivery (Corp. Code § 1702(a)). The Secretary of State forwards it by registered mail with request for return receipt to the principal office, or, if its records show no principal office address, to the last designated agent who has not resigned, and the Secretary of State’s certificate is prima facie evidence of receipt, notice and forwarding (§ 1702(b)–(c)). For a foreign corporation, § 2111(a) allows the order when its natural-person agent cannot be found with due diligence, no one can be found for delivery to its corporate agent, the agent is no longer authorized to act, or none was designated and no § 2110 officer or agent can be found after diligent search, shown by affidavit; the order calls for two copies of the process and of the order, or one of each with an address for forwarding if the corporation never filed its § 2105 statement. The summons gives 30 days after service to file a written response (Code Civ. Proc. § 412.20(a)(3)).

Corp. Code § 17701.16 adds to the Code of Civil Procedure methods: personal delivery to an individual the LLC or foreign LLC designated as agent or, if the designated agent is a corporation, to any person named in that corporate agent’s latest § 1505 certificate at the corporate agent’s office is valid service (§ 17701.16(a)–(b)). If the agent has resigned without replacement or cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the designated address, and an affidavit shows to the court’s satisfaction that the process cannot be served with reasonable diligence on the agent by hand under Code Civ. Proc. §§ 415.10, 415.20(a) or 415.30(a), the court may order hand delivery to the Secretary of State of one copy for each defendant with a copy of the order, for a domestic or registered foreign LLC, complete on the 10th day after delivery (§ 17701.16(c)). A general or limited partnership is served through the agent named in a statement filed with the Secretary of State, a general partner or the general manager; another unincorporated association through its agent so named, its president or other head, a vice president, a secretary or assistant secretary, a treasurer or assistant treasurer, a general manager, or a person it authorized to receive service (Code Civ. Proc. § 416.40(a)–(b)). A business organization of unknown form may be served by leaving the papers during usual office hours with the person apparently in charge of its office and then mailing a copy first-class, postage prepaid, to the place where they were left, complete on the 10th day after the mailing; that method is not valid for a corporation with a registered agent for service of process listed with the Secretary of State (§ 415.95).

A minor: deliver the summons and complaint to a parent, guardian, conservator or similar fiduciary or, if none can be found with reasonable diligence, to a person who has the care or control of the minor, with whom the minor resides or by whom the minor is employed, and also to the minor if at least 12 years of age (§ 416.60). A person other than a minor who has a guardian, conservator or similar fiduciary: deliver to the fiduciary and to the person, though for good cause shown the court may dispense with delivery to the person (§ 416.70). A public entity: deliver to the clerk, secretary, president, presiding officer or other head of its governing body (§ 416.50(a)). Section 416.50(b) defines a public entity to include the State and any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission or agency of the State, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in California. Court-directed service under § 413.30 is not available in an action against a governmental entity, or its agent or employee sued in an official or individual capacity (§ 413.30(b)).

Rule 3.110(b) of the California Rules of Court requires the complaint to be served on all named defendants, and proofs of service filed, within 60 days after the complaint is filed, and a defendant added by amendment to be served, with proof filed, within 30 days after the amended complaint is filed. The court may extend or otherwise modify those times on its own motion or on a party’s application, which must be filed before the time for service has elapsed, with a declaration showing why service has not been completed, the efforts made, and the date by which service is proposed to be completed (rule 3.110(e)). Without an extension order, the court may issue an order to show cause why sanctions shall not be imposed (rule 3.110(f)). The rule does not apply to collections cases under rule 3.740(a), unlawful detainer actions, Family Code proceedings, or proceedings with different service requirements prescribed by law; a collections case has 180 days to serve and file proofs or to obtain an order for publication (rule 3.740(d)). The outer limit is statutory: service within three years after the complaint is filed (Code Civ. Proc. § 583.210(a)), or the action shall not be further prosecuted and shall be dismissed by the court on its own motion or on motion of any interested person, after notice to the parties (§ 583.250(a)). That limit is mandatory and not subject to extension, excuse or exception except as a statute expressly provides (§ 583.250(b)): the parties may extend it by written stipulation (§ 583.230(a)); time is excluded while the defendant was not amenable to the court’s process, a stay affected service, the validity of service was being litigated, or service was impossible, impracticable or futile for causes beyond the plaintiff’s control (§ 583.240); and it does not apply once the defendant enters into a written stipulation or does another act that constitutes a general appearance (§ 583.220).

Yes. Section 415.40 allows service on a person outside California in any manner the article provides, or by first-class mail, postage prepaid, requiring a return receipt, deemed complete on the 10th day after mailing. Proof of that mailing must include evidence satisfactory to the court establishing actual delivery to the person to be served, by a signed return receipt or other evidence (§ 417.20(a)). Elsewhere in the United States, service may follow the California chapter or the law of the place where the person is served (§ 413.10(b)), and proof may follow that place’s law for proof of service in its courts of general jurisdiction, subject to any added requirements of the court where the action is pending (§ 417.20(c)). Outside the United States, service may be made as the chapter provides or as the court directs, or, if the court finds it reasonably calculated to give actual notice, as the law of the place prescribes or as the foreign authority directs in response to a letter rogatory, all subject to the Hague Service Convention (§ 413.10(c)). When a summons is served by mail under the chapter, the time extensions of § 1013 do not extend any time specified in that title of the Code (§ 413.20). A California court may exercise jurisdiction on any basis not inconsistent with the Constitution of California or of the United States (§ 410.10).

Any person may serve a subpoena (§ 1987(a)). Except as Gov. Code §§ 68097.1–68097.8 provide, it is served by delivering a copy, or a ticket containing its substance, to the witness personally, giving or offering at the same time, if the witness demands them, the fees for travel to and from the place designated and one day’s attendance there, and it must be served so as to allow the witness a reasonable time for preparation and travel to the place of attendance. A deposition subpoena may likewise be served by any person, by personal delivery of a copy to the deponent or, for an organization, to any officer, director, custodian of records, or agent or employee authorized by the organization to accept service of a subpoena (§ 2020.220(b)). If a deposition subpoena requires the deponent’s personal attendance, the party noticing the deposition pays the deponent, in cash or by check, the witness fee and mileage required for attendance and testimony before the court where the action is pending, whether or not the deponent demands it, at that party’s option either when the subpoena is served or when the deponent attends to testify (§ 2020.230(a)). For a civil action or proceeding in the superior courts, Gov. Code § 68093 sets the daily witness fee and the mileage actually traveled, both ways, except as otherwise provided by law. A witness is not obliged to attend unless a resident of California at the time of service (§ 1989).

California’s Interstate and International Depositions and Discovery Act, Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2029.100 through 2029.900, has a party submit the foreign subpoena to the clerk of the superior court in the county where discovery is sought, with a Judicial Council application; the request is not an appearance in California courts (§ 2029.300(a)–(b)). An active California attorney retained by a party may instead issue the subpoena (§ 2029.350(a)), subject to the limits in § 2029.350(b)–(c): no subpoena based on another state’s law interfering with gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care, and none relating to a foreign penal civil action that would require disclosure of information related to sensitive services. Section 2029.300(e) bars issuance in certain cases. The California subpoena must be personally served in compliance with California law (§ 2029.400).

For personal, substituted or notice-and-acknowledgment service, Code Civ. Proc. § 417.10(a) requires the server’s affidavit showing the time, place and manner of service, facts showing compliance with the chapter, the name of the person who received the papers and, if appropriate, that person’s title or capacity, and whether the § 412.30 notice appeared on the summons. Proof of personal service must be made on a Judicial Council form (§ 417.10(f)); that form is POS-010, Proof of Service of Summons, adopted for mandatory use, which the server signs under penalty of perjury as Code Civ. Proc. § 2015.5 allows. A proof signed by a registered process server, or the server’s employee or independent contractor, must show the county of registration and the registration number (§ 417.40). Under § 417.30, proof of service must be filed unless the defendant has already made a general appearance, and § 583.210(b) requires it within 60 days after the time the summons and complaint must be served. In an action arising upon contract or judgment for the recovery of money or damages only, where the defendant was served other than by publication and no answer, demurrer or listed motion was filed within the time in the summons, the clerk enters the default on the plaintiff’s written application and proof of the service of summons (§ 585(a)).