Service of Process

Corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships are required by statute to designate an agent for service of process.

The business entity's listed agent for service of process is available through bizfile Online, the Secretary of State's online portal to help businesses file documents and to assist businesses and the public in searching, viewing and ordering business records.

To search for a particular business of record with our office, the Business Search contains the most current filings that are of record in this office, including the name and address of the agent for servcie of process, if any.

Currently, information for limited liability partnerships (e.g. law firms, architecture firms, engineering firms, public accountancy firms, and land survey firms), general partnerships, associations, and other entity types are not contained in the Business Search. If you wish to obtain information about these entity types, download, complete, and submit a Business Entities Records - Order Form (PDF) to request copies of filings for these entity types.

Note: Serving the designated agent is not the only method of serving a particular business entity with process. The Code of Civil Procedure and Corporations Code provide multiple methods for direct service and for substituted service of process. Please refer to the following code sections for further information:

• California Code of Civil Procedure, section 415.30 (notice and acknowledgment by mail)
• California Code of Civil Procedure, sections 416.10–416.40 (multiple methods of serving designated agents for service of process, as well as other agents of entities upon whom service may be made)
• California Corporations Code, sections 1702, 2011, 2111, 6410, 6721, 8410, 8723, 9670, 12610, 12662, 15800, 15901.16, 15911.05. 16310, 16905, 16914, 16962, 17701.16, 17707.07, 17710.05 and 18220 (methods of direct and substituted service of process for business entities)
• Government Code section 12197 (substituted service of process fees)

Substituted service of process through the Secretary of State's office may be made upon a business entity if:

• Attempts at direct service of process have been unsuccessful;
• Attempts at direct service have been proven to the court to be reasonably diligent; and
• The court issues an order that service can be made upon the entity by hand delivering to the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento, as substituted service of process upon the entity, the following:
  
  • A copy of the process (generally the summons and complaint) to be served;
  • A copy of the court order permitting the service; and
  • The statutory $50.00 fee.

  Substituted service of process in this manner is not permitted by mail. The order, process to be served and $50.00 fee must be hand delivered to our public counter in Sacramento office during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding state holidays ), at 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 390. Substituted service of process through the Secretary of State's office is only available in Sacramento. We are unable to accept these in the Los Angeles office.

  Related Links

  • Legislation
  • California Codes
  • California Regulations
  • Private Service Companies