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Get Em Served provides practical process serving resources for attorneys, legal staff, businesses and self-represented litigants in San Jose, Santa Clara County and California.
Use these resources to prepare a process service assignment, understand basic service-of-process terminology, find official California court resources and review general Get Em Served guides.
Process Serving Resources
Before You Submit a Process Service Assignment
A better assignment starts with better information. A process server can only work with the documents, addresses, deadlines and identifying information provided by the client.
Supplying complete information at intake can reduce avoidable delays and provide better information for planning service attempts.
Confirm the Documents to Be Served
Provide complete and legible copies of the filed, issued or other papers that you want served. Include applicable attachments supplied for the assignment.
Get Em Served does not determine which documents your court matter legally requires you to serve.
Provide the Best Known Service Address
Include the most current address available. Provide apartment, unit or suite numbers, gate information, workplace details and other access information that may be relevant to the location.
Include Identifying Information When Available
A current photograph, physical description, vehicle information, known schedule or other useful identifying information can help distinguish the intended recipient and assist with planning attempts.
Provide the Deadline and Hearing Date
Tell Get Em Served about every known service deadline, hearing date, court date and other timing requirement that may affect the assignment.
The client remains responsible for determining the legally applicable deadline for the case.
Tell Us About Unusual Circumstances
Restricted-access buildings, gated communities, workplaces, hospitals, detention facilities and other special locations can require different planning or additional instructions.
Known safety concerns should also be disclosed before the assignment begins.
What to Send Your Process Server
Not every assignment will have every item listed below, but providing the information you have can make the service request easier to evaluate, identify and route.
Service Documents
Submit complete and readable papers to be served, including attachments or court-issued documents supplied by the client.
Recipient Name
Provide the recipient's full legal name when known. Aliases, business names or other identifying information can also be useful when appropriate.
Service Address
Provide the best current residential address, unit number, workplace or other known location where the recipient may reasonably be found.
Photo or Physical Description
A photograph or physical description can assist the process server with identifying the correct recipient at a residence, workplace or other service location.
Known Schedule
Work hours, usual days home, known schedules and other timing information can help with planning varied attempts when appropriate.
Deadline and Service Instructions
Include hearing dates, known service deadlines, court orders and client instructions relevant to the assignment.
California Service of Process Basics
Service of process is a procedural step and the details can matter. California court rules distinguish among different methods of service, and the permitted method can depend on the type of case, document, recipient and court order.
The information below is general educational information and is not legal advice.
Who Can Serve Court Papers in California?
California Courts generally describes a server as an adult who is at least 18 years old and is not a party to the case. A professional process server is one option for completing service.
Methods of Service
Personal service, substituted service, service by mail and other methods may be available in different circumstances.
The legally appropriate method should be determined from the applicable court rules, court instructions, court order or advice from a qualified attorney.
Proof of Service
Following service, the server generally completes the applicable proof or declaration describing how, when and where service occurred.
Responsibility for filing the completed proof depends on the assignment and services purchased. Court filing is separate unless specifically included in the order.
Get Em Served is not a law firm and does not determine which method of service is legally sufficient for a client's matter.
When you are unsure about legal requirements, review the applicable court instructions, contact the appropriate self-help center or consult a qualified attorney.
Official California and Santa Clara County Court Resources
When you need procedural guidance, official court resources should be a primary source. The following resources are maintained by California Courts or the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.
California Courts — Serving Court Papers
Statewide self-help guidance explaining service of process, who may serve court papers, common service methods and proof-of-service basics.
California Courts Serving Court Papers
Santa Clara County Superior Court Self-Help Center
Santa Clara County court information for self-represented parties, including civil, family, probate, small claims and other topics.
Santa Clara Court Self-Help Center
Santa Clara County Family Law Self-Help
Family-law self-help information concerning divorce, parentage, custody, support and related court procedures.
Santa Clara County Family Law Self-Help
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
Find court locations, local rules, court information, filing resources and other official Santa Clara County court materials.
Resources by Type of Court Matter
Different types of court matters can have different service requirements. Use official court resources to confirm requirements applicable to your case.
Get Em Served performs the process-serving assignment based on the documents, instructions and information supplied by the client.
Civil Lawsuits
California Courts provides general information concerning serving defendants in civil lawsuits.
California Courts Civil Lawsuit Service Information
Family Law
The Santa Clara County Superior Court provides local self-help resources for family-law matters and related procedures.
Santa Clara County Family Law Resources
Small Claims
California Courts provides self-help information concerning filing, responding to and serving papers in small claims matters.
California Small Claims Resources
Evictions
California Courts provides self-help information concerning eviction procedures, including service-related steps.
Get Em Served Process Serving Guides
Browse Get Em Served articles for general background and practical information about process serving. Blog content is informational and should not be treated as legal advice or as a replacement for current court rules.
How to Choose a Process Server Near Me
Factors to consider when comparing process-serving companies, including pricing, speed, availability and local familiarity.
Read How to Choose a Process Server Near Me
Duties and Responsibilities of a California Process Server
General information about the process server's role in delivering legal documents and documenting service activity.
Read About California Process Server Duties
Bay Area Process Server
General considerations for finding process-serving assistance in the Bay Area and evaluating local service options.
Questions About Avoiding Service of Process
General discussion concerning service of process and service avoidance. Legal questions should be verified using current court resources or with a qualified attorney.
When the Service Address May Be Outdated
An outdated address can turn a process-service assignment into an address-location problem.
When the address supplied for the recipient appears outdated or the person may have moved, Get Em Served may separately provide skip tracing or address-location research for the service assignment.
When available, results may include prior address history, recently associated addresses and a possible current residence. Skip-trace results are based on available records and should be treated as investigative leads.
Results are not guaranteed. A reported address does not guarantee that the subject currently resides there, will be present at the location or can successfully be served there.
Common Questions Before Hiring a Process Server
Can I Serve the Court Papers Myself in California?
California Courts generally states that a server must be at least 18 years old and cannot be a party to the case. A professional process server is one available option.
Always confirm the requirements applicable to your particular case and documents.
What Information Helps a Process Server Identify the Right Person?
Useful information can include the recipient's full name, current photograph, physical description, home or work address, vehicle information, known schedule and other information that may help identify the intended recipient.
Does Every Case Use the Same Method of Service?
No. Permitted service methods can vary based on the case type, document, recipient, applicable rules and court orders.
Personal service, substituted service, service by mail and other methods can have different legal requirements. Confirm the requirements before directing a server.
What Is a Proof of Service?
A proof of service is a court form or declaration used to document information concerning completed service, including how, when and where the papers were served.
The applicable form can depend on the matter and method of service.
What If I Am Unsure About My Service Deadline?
Review your court papers, applicable court rules and official court self-help resources, or consult a qualified attorney.
Get Em Served can work from a deadline provided by the client but does not determine the legal deadline for the case.
Important Process Serving Information
This Resources page provides general informational material about process serving and links to third-party court resources. It does not constitute legal advice.
Laws, court rules, forms and procedures can change, and different cases can require different service methods or deadlines.
Get Em Served does not determine the legal sufficiency of documents, select the legally required method of service, calculate legal deadlines or guarantee court acceptance.
When legal guidance is required, consult the appropriate court resource or a qualified attorney.
Start Your Process Service Assignment
If you have the documents and service address, submit the papers, recipient information, service address, deadline and relevant instructions through the Get Em Served online order form.
If the assignment involves unusual access, safety, timing or address circumstances, contact Get Em Served before ordering.
Phone: (856) 416-6311
Email: inquire@getemserved.com
Need help obtaining records or delivering a prepared packet? Review our court document retrieval, court filing services and courtesy-copy delivery requirements before requesting an assignment.