Process serving · California
How to serve small claims papers in California
California's Small claims court (California superior courts) lists this method: You cannot serve the papers yourself. Someone 18 or older who is not part of the case can hand them to the other side (personal service) or to someone at their home or work and then mail a copy (substituted service); some courts offer certified mail by the clerk for $15. Serve at least 15 days before the court date (20 days if the other side is in a different county), and file the Proof of Service at least 5 days before the hearing. If that method lets you use a private process server or another adult, we can arrange a vetted local server in California, quoted per job and confirmed before any work starts.
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Send the requestBefore you hire anyone in California, check whether the court serves the papers itself. Its own guide says:
| Court | Small claims court (California superior courts) |
|---|---|
| Service | You cannot serve the papers yourself. Someone 18 or older who is not part of the case can hand them to the other side (personal service) or to someone at their home or work and then mail a copy (substituted service); some courts offer certified mail by the clerk for $15. Serve at least 15 days before the court date (20 days if the other side is in a different county), and file the Proof of Service at least 5 days before the hearing. |
| Where the case is filed | Usually the county where the other side lives or does business. Other options depend on the claim: where an accident or injury happened; for a contract, where it was made, broken or to be performed; for an item sold, where the buyer lives or bought it. Filing in the wrong county can get the case dismissed. |
| Small claims limit | $12,500. Individuals can generally sue for up to $12,500; businesses up to $6,250. Since October 1, 2025 a landlord can't sue in small claims for unpaid COVID-19 rental debt above $12,500. |
| Filing fees | claim up to $1,500: $30; over $1,500 up to $5,000: $50; over $5,000 up to $12,500: $75; filed more than 12 small claims in the past 12 months: $100 |
| Who can file | Anyone who believes a person, business or government agency owes them money. |
When we can help in California
Where California leaves delivery to the plaintiff, we line up a local server, pass along your deadline and send back the signed proof of service when it's done.
The full California small claims page, with limits and fees, is here.
Alabama · all states · serving someone in another state
If you represent yourself, you are responsible for your documents: what they say, that they are complete and signed, which court they go to and that they are filed on time. We are not lawyers, we do not give legal advice or draft pleadings, and we cannot guarantee any legal outcome. We file, serve or pull exactly what you send.
Sources
Before you send
- Send the papers to serve as a PDF, with every page in order.
- Give the best address, a description or photo of the person, and the times they're usually home.
- Up to three attempts at different times of day are included.
- You get a notarized affidavit of service once service is made.
- Rules on who may serve papers vary by state. The desk confirms them for your state before assigning a server.
Prefer to talk?
Call the desk and we'll take the request by phone.
Questions
Who serves small claims papers in California?
The court's guide says: You cannot serve the papers yourself. Someone 18 or older who is not part of the case can hand them to the other side (personal service) or to someone at their home or work and then mail a copy (substituted service); some courts offer certified mail by the clerk for $15. Serve at least 15 days before the court date (20 days if the other side is in a different county), and file the Proof of Service at least 5 days before the hearing.
What does a California serve cost?
Outside New Jersey every serve is quoted per job, because local server rates and travel differ. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you tell me if service was done correctly?
No. The California court decides whether service was proper. We send you the server's proof of service so you can file it.