How to Serve Papers for Small Claims Court

how to collect a small claims court judgment in california

How to Serve Papers for Small Claims Court?

The law says that when you sue a person, partnership, corporation, or the government in small claims court you must give formal notice to the other side that you have started the legal process.  You are required to give the other side notice of the paperwork you have filed. The legal way to give formal notice is to have the other side “served” with a copy of the small claims court paperwork that you have filed with the court.

Small Claims Court Sacramento

Service of Small Claims Court Papers” means that the other side must get copies of any paper you file with the court.  In “service” a third person (NOT you) is the one who actually delivers the paperwork to the other side. The person who does this is called the “server” or “process server.”

My name is Lance Casey.  I am a California Private Investigator and Process Server.  I serve small claims court paperwork.

small claims process server6

We provide service of process of your small claims paperwork to:

  • People at home and work
  • Partnerships, Corporations, LLC
  • Government Agencies

Service of small claims court paperwork can be complicated and it is VERY important. If it is not done right, you will not be able to move forward with your case.  That is why you should hire a professional process server to serve your small claims court papers.

Small claims papers can be served by personal service, substituted service and certified mail (provide by court).

  • Personal Service

We will give the small claims papers to the party being served. It can be at the party’s home, work, or anywhere on the street.

  • Substituted Service

If the person to be served is not there, we will leave the papers with someone at the other party’s house, at least 18 years old, who lives there.  If the server is trying to serve the papers at the other party’s work, then the papers can be left with someone at the office that appears to be in charge and is at least 18 years old.  Next, the server must mail a copy of the papers to the other party at the address where the papers were left.

Proof of Service Form

The court must know that the other side was properly served. To do this, the process server must carefully fill out and sign the Proof of Service detailing how service was done, on whom, where, and when. The process server then gives you the Proof of Service to file with the court.

Order Process Service

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