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(213) 259-6399
Civil Process Server Types and Fees
PLAINTIFF'S CLAIM AND ORDER TO DEFENDENT (SMALL CLAIMS)
Court
Document
Required
 Two copies per defendant of the Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Defendant (form SC-100)
Purpose of
Process
 The small claims court acquires jurisdiction to hear the case when the Plaintiff’s Claim
and Order to Defendant is served on the defendant.
Process
Server's
Instructions
 Specify an address for service where the defendant usually works or lives.
Manner of
Service
 The defendant may be served by personal or substituted service. Personal service must
be made not less than 15 days before the hearing, or 20 days if the small claims court
hearing is in another county. Substitute service must be made at least 25 days before
the hearing, or 30 days if the court is in another county.
Time for Service
 The Process Server must receive the process no later than four weeks before the hearing.
Fee Deposit
 $34.99 or more
Fee
 $34.99 to start if served, not found or canceled.
Proof of
Service
 The Process Server will mail a Certificate of Service to the court and a Notice of Service to
the plaintiff if the Claim is served. If not served, a Not Found/No Service return is mailed
to the plaintiff explaining the reason for non-service.
Information Guide

A small claims case cannot be heard until the defendant (the person sued) is served with a copy of the
Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Defendant. The Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Defendant may be personally
served at least 15 days before the hearing if the place of service and the court are in the same county. If
the court is in another county, personal service must be made at least 20 days before the hearing. Service
may also be made by substitution in which a copy of the Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Defendant is left with
a suitable person at the defendant’s usual place of abode (residence) , employment or mailing address and
a copy mailed to the defendant at that address. Substitute service must be made at least 25 days before
the hearing or 30 days if the court is in another county. The Process Server will make up to three attempts
to serve the Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Defendant including one night time attempt after 6:00 p.m.
(unless the defendant cannot be found at the address in the evening.) If the defendant is served, the
Process Server will file a proof of service with the court and mail a notice of service to the plaintiff. If service
is unsuccessful, the Process Server will mail a certificate of not found/no service detailing the reasons for
non-service to the plaintiff. The plaintiff should not appear in court unless advised that the Plaintiff’s Claim
and Order to Defendant was served. The plaintiff should call the Process Server for a status check if a
mailed notification is not received at least five days before the hearing.
Checklist

  • $34.99 or more
  • Process Server Instructions
  • two copies of Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Defendant
  • deliver to Process Server Service of Los Angeles County at least four weeks before the hearing
Note: If you are in a different state than
California, simply use those required
court forms for your state.

All U.S. States are accepted by PSSLAC
for  process server service within
California.
Process Server Service of Los Angeles County
Process Serving Los
Angeles, CA:
(213) 259-6399