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California Proof of Personal Service

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PROOF OF PERSONAL SERVICE

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY (under Family Code, §§ 11475.1, 11478.2)

(Name, state bar number, and address):

FOR COURT USE ONLY

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CITY AND ZIP CODE:

BRANCH NAME:

PETITIONER/PLAINTIFF:

RESPONDENT/DEFENDANT:

OTHER PARENT:

PROOF OF PERSONAL SERVICE

CASE NUMBER:

1. This is a proof of service of a temporary or permanent restraining order regarding personal conduct, stayaway, or residence exclusion. (This information is required for the Domestic Violence Restraining Order Registry.)

2. I am over the age of 18, not a party to this action, and not a protected person listed in any of the orders.

3. Person served (name):

4. I served copies of the following documents (specify):

by personally delivering copies to the person served, as follows:

a. Date:

b. Time:

b. Address:

5. I am

a. not a registered California process server.

b. a registered California process server.

c. an employee or independent contractor of a registered California process server.

d. exempt from registration under Bus. & Prof. Code section 22350(b).

e. a California sheriff or marshal.

6. My name, address, and telephone number, and, if applicable, county of registration and number (specify):

7. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

8. I am a California sheriff or marshal and I certify that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date:

(TYPE OR PRINT NAME OF PERSON WHO SERVED THE PAPERS)

(SIGNATURE OF PERSON WHO SERVED THE PAPERS)

INFORMATION SHEET FOR PROOF OF PERSONAL SERVICE

Use these instructions to complete the Proof of Personal Service (form FL-330).

A person 18 years of age or older must serve the documents. There are two ways to serve documents: (1) personal delivery and (2) by mail. See the Proof of Service by Mail (form FL-335) if the documents are being served by mail. The person who serves the documents must complete a proof of service form for the documents being served. You cannot serve documents if you are a party to the action.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PERSON WHO SERVES THE DOCUMENTS (TYPE OR PRINT IN BLACK INK)

You must complete a proof of service for each package of documents you serve. For example, if you serve the Respondent and the Other Parent, you must complete two proofs of service, one for the Respondent and one for the Other Parent.

Complete the top section of the proof of service forms as follows:

First box, left side: In this box print the name, address, and phone number of the person for whom you are serving the documents.

Second box, left side: Print the name of the county in which the legal action is filed and the court's address in this box. Use the same address for the court that is on the documents you are serving.

Third box, left side: Print the names of the Petitioner/Plaintiff, Respondent/Defendant, and Other Parent in this box. Use the same names listed on the documents you are serving.

First box, top of form, right side: Leave this box blank for the court's use.

Second box, right side: Print the case number in this box. This number is also stated on the documents you are serving.

1. Check this box if you are serving either a temporary worker or permanent restraining order.

2. You are stating that you are over the age of 18 and that you are neither a party of this action nor a protected person listed in any of the orders.

3. Print the name of the party to whom you handed the documents.

4. List the name of each document that you delivered to the party.

a. Write in the date that you delivered the documents to the party.

b. Write in the time of day that you delivered the documents to the party.

c. Print the address where you delivered the documents.

5. Check the box that applies to you. If you are a private person serving the documents for a party, check box "a."

6. Print your name, address, and telephone number. If applicable, include the county in which you are registered as a process server and your registration number.

7. You must check this box if you are not a California sheriff or marshal. You are stating under penalty of perjury that the information you have provided is true and correct.

8. Do not check this box unless you are a California sheriff or marshal.

Print your name, fill in the date, and sign the form.

If you need additional assistance with this form, contact the Family Law Facilitator in your county.

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What the California Proof of Personal Service Is

The California Proof of Personal Service documents that a person or process server personally delivered court papers, pleadings, notices, or other legal documents to a named recipient. It records who served, what was served, where and when service occurred, and the recipient’s identity or refusal. Courts accept the Proof of Personal Service as evidence that the defendant or interested party received papers under California Rules of Court and local rules, and it commonly includes a sworn declaration or statements made under penalty of perjury.

Why an Accurate Proof Matters

A clear, complete Proof of Personal Service establishes the official record of service, supports procedural deadlines, and reduces the risk of challenges to service. Courts rely on its details to confirm jurisdictional notice requirements and to proceed with hearings or default judgments when service is uncontested.

Why an Accurate Proof Matters

Typical users and participants

The Proof of Personal Service is used by parties in litigation, their counsel, and professional process servers to document personal delivery of legal papers.

  • Plaintiffs and plaintiffs’ attorneys: prepare and file the proof after service to meet court deadlines and support motions.
  • Professional process servers: complete detailed delivery information, provide a sworn declaration, and may sign under penalty of perjury.
  • Defendants and recipients: listed as the served party; their response rights and timelines depend on the recorded service date.

Accurate completion benefits all parties by reducing disputes over notice and enabling timely court action.

Who May Sign the Proof

Process Server — Declaration

A registered or professional process server who made personal delivery typically signs the declaration under penalty of perjury, describing method, date, time, and recipient identity in complete detail.

Attorney or Representative

An attorney or authorized agent who supervised service or accepted substituted service may sign or file the proof, provided the statement accurately reflects the serving party’s firsthand knowledge or verified server report.

Step-by-step: completing the Proof of Personal Service

Follow these steps in order to prepare a compliant Proof of Personal Service suitable for filing with California courts.

  • 01
    Prepare documents: Gather all papers delivered and note page counts.
  • 02
    Complete server details: Record server name, address, and ID if applicable.
  • 03
    Describe recipient: Enter recipient name, relation, and physical address.
  • 04
    Sign declaration: Sign under penalty of perjury and date the form.

Process overview: from service to filing

These core actions show how service of process becomes an official court record once the Proof is filed.

  • Serve the papers: Deliver documents directly to the named individual.
  • Record details: Server completes time, place, and recipient identifiers.
  • Swear or affirm: Signer declares accuracy under penalty of perjury.
  • File with court: Submit the completed proof per local filing procedures.

How to configure an online completion workflow

Set up a simple online workflow to collect server details, signatures, and file-ready PDFs while preserving an audit trail and timestamps.

Field Configuration
Template Create a reusable form with required fields and validation.
Signer Roles Assign server as primary signer and clerk as recipient when needed.
Authentication Use email or SMS code to attribute signatures.
Retention Enable automatic PDF storage and audit trail retention.

Platform capabilities to consider

Choose tools that support secure signatures, audit trails, and standard document formats to create court-ready proofs.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Formats: PDF, DOCX, fillable forms
  • Security: TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest

These capabilities help preserve admissibility, verify signer attribution, and streamline filing across case management systems and cloud storage.

Timing considerations and common court expectations

Filing and deadline rules depend on local court calendars; timely filing of the Proof preserves response and hearing schedules.

File promptly:

File the proof as soon as possible after service to document the official date.

Hearing timelines:

Court-set hearing dates may be affected by the recorded service date.

Response periods:

Service date triggers statutory or procedural response periods for the recipient.

Multiple attempts:

Document each attempt separately with times and locations for accuracy.

Local variations:

Check local court rules for specific filing time limits and requirements.

Key milestones from service to court record

A concise sequential view of the milestones that lead to a filed Proof of Personal Service.

01

Serve Papers

Physical hand delivery to the named party at the stated address.

02

Complete Proof

Server fills date, time, recipient description, and document details.

03

Swear Declaration

Server signs under penalty of perjury or completes notary block if required.

04

File with Court

Submit to the court clerk and retain a stamped copy for records.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Omitting the full recipient name; nicknames cause identification disputes and may be rejected by the court.
  • Leaving out the exact address or using only a P.O. box; personal service requires a physical location for delivery.
  • Failing to record the exact time or AM/PM; ambiguous times complicate deadline calculations and hearing scheduling.
  • Skipping sworn language or signature; unsigned proofs can be treated as incomplete and give rise to motion practice.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete proofs

Case delay: Incomplete proof can result in continuances or rejected filings.
Default risks: Improperly documented service may invalidate attempts to obtain default judgment.
Perjury exposure: False statements in a sworn proof can trigger perjury allegations.
Increased costs: Errors lead to additional service attempts and legal fees.
Administrative denial: Courts may refuse to accept defective proofs for the record.
Admissibility issues: Ambiguous recipient details can undermine evidentiary weight.

Essential elements of a professional Proof of Personal Service

Include these structured elements to ensure the proof meets court expectations and preserves the service record.

Server Identity

Full legal name, address, phone number, and process server registration or badge number when applicable, to allow verification of the server's authority.

Recipient Identification

Full name, relationship (if different name used), and physical description if identity was confirmed but differed from name on documents.

Document Description

Exact document titles and page counts served to prevent disputes about what the recipient received.

Time and Location

Precise local time, AM/PM, and street address to anchor response deadlines and hearing scheduling accurately.

Method of Service

Clear statement that service was personal delivery, including any relevant details about how delivery occurred.

Sworn Declaration

Signed statement under penalty of perjury or notarized acknowledgment attesting to the accuracy of the service details.

Practical examples of use

Two real-world examples illustrate how organizations document personal service and retain evidence for court proceedings.

Optica Ventures example

A venture firm used an online proof template to record timely service details and signatures.

  • Server logged exact time and address on-site.
  • The court accepted the sworn proof without follow-up, and the firm retained the stamped copy in its matter folder for compliance and audit purposes.

Martin Properties example

A property manager filed proofs for tenant-related notices using consistent forms.

  • Each entry included a physical description when occupants differed from lease names.
  • Standardized proofs reduced disputes, expedited hearings, and simplified recordkeeping across multiple eviction matters.

Practical tips for accurate completion

Adopt standard procedures to reduce errors, preserve evidence, and speed court processing when filing proofs.

Use a consistent template
Standardize forms across cases so each proof collects the same required fields and reduces omission risks during high-volume filings.
Photograph delivery location
When appropriate and lawful, capture a photo of the delivery location to corroborate address and circumstances, noting time and place in the proof.
Record recipient details verbatim
Transcribe names and identifying details exactly as presented; avoid abbreviations that could create ambiguity at hearing or motion stages.
Retain audit evidence
Keep timestamps, server logs, and signed PDFs for the full retention period required by your jurisdiction or organizational policy.

Comparison: eSignature vendor pricing and key features

A neutral comparison of starting prices and core capabilities to consider when choosing an eSignature provider for court-ready proofs.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Proofs of Personal Service

Answers to common questions about filling, filing, and validating a California Proof of Personal Service.


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