SERVICE OF PROCESS FAQs
(Now available in California)

How are the process servers assigned a case?

Contracted servers are typically assigned a case based on the location of the service and the required service deadlines. Assignment is often handled in a "round robin" fashion to distribute work evenly among available contractors in a specific geographic area, though a server may be chosen specifically if the serve is complex or urgent.

What is your standard turnaround time for the first service attempt, assuming the request is placed today and is not marked as a rush?

It could be as soon as same day, but the average is in just over 2 days.

If an attempt at service requires an unexpected fee adjustment (due to difficult service, a distant address, etc.), how quickly will we be notified of the required change?

Our process server will typically contact you within the same business day of encountering the issue to explain the required additional expense (e.g., stakeout, extended mileage) and request approval.

Subsequent service attempts will only be placed on hold if the required additional expense is necessary to perform that specific second attempt (e.g., waiting for approval to attempt service at a newly discovered, distant address). If the required expense is unrelated to the immediate next scheduled attempt, the service schedule will continue until approval is needed for the specific action.

The Alameda Superior Court requires service (but not filing) of their ADR Packet. Do you include that with process service?

Any documents returned to us by the court following the acceptance of your filing will be included with the served papers. We strongly recommend adding specific instructions to your service request to guarantee the inclusion of the ADR packet.

Do you do investigations of witnesses?

Currently we do not provide this service.

Do you file the Proof of Service?

Currently, we do not automatically file the Proof of Service (POS) with the court, and this action is not included in our standard process. Upon successful completion of service, the signed and notarized Proof of Service document will be provided directly to you. You are then responsible for electronically filing (e-filing) the document with the appropriate court.

Will you have a feature to file the Proof of Service in the future?

We are actively developing a feature to handle the automatic e-filing of the POS on your behalf and anticipate this service becoming available in the near future.

Are gated communities an issue?

Typically gated communities do not pose a problem to accomplishing service.

What service areas do you cover in California and the rest of the United States?

We cover the entire state of California and the US.

Is there only one invoice with the amount or is an additional service fee sent thereafter?

When requesting service of process in the process as e-filing, there will be one invoice for the e-filing, and one invoice for the service of process job. If using the stand along service of process screen there will be just one invoice for the service of process job.

Is Service of Process through Green Filing required by the Los Angeles Superior Court?

No.

What are the specific turnaround time variations (e.g., number of business days for the first attempt) that differentiate regular service from rush service?

Rush service ensures a first attempt within 24 hours. Standard service ensures a first attempt within 5 days.

If Green Filing has not integrated with a court's e-filing system (such as the San Joaquin Superior Court), can we still submit a Service of Process order through your system for that court's case? If so, what is the required manual upload or submission process?

Currently, our Service of Process feature is limited exclusively to cases within courts where we also provide integrated e-filing services. Because courts like San Joaquin Superior Court utilize their own independent e-filing platform, we are unable to process service requests for those cases at this time.

While we are actively developing the capability to expand our service to cover counties with non-integrated e-filing systems in the near future, our fulfillment partner, One Legal, is fully capable of handling Service of Process for non-integrated courts at this time, including San Joaquin. To proceed with service for this case, you will need to submit the request directly through the One Legal platform.

If the service involves personal service and we switch to posting mail instead how does the pricing change?

The pricing will change and the amount of that change will be communicated to you prior to switching service methods.

How do service agents connect with an attorney—via email or a portal?

The primary means of communication is through the filing the service was submitted in through our portal. Users can directly send messages to the agents via that filing. Additionally, users will receive email notifications indicating there is an update. In some instances, our staff or the process server will connect with you directly by email or phone as well.

How many service attempts are included in the standard fee, and at what point is the service considered complete or terminated due to inability to locate the party?

The standard fee includes 4-6 attempts per address, per court requirements.

Do you offer substituted service if personal service is unsuccessful?

Yes, we will sub-serve when appropriate and allowed by code.

Is substituted service already covered in the pricing?

Yes, substitute service would be completed wherever appropriate. The only additional cost would be our Mailing Declaration Fee that covers the mailing required after sub-service.

What happens if the person served refuses the served document? How is that documented and that service was actually accomplished?

This depends on the situation. The process server provides all information gathered during the attempt and will advise if they are confident service was valid.

Do you do international service of process? If so, with or without the Hauge Convention?

At this time we do not offer international service of process. We do plan to add this capability in the future.

How does service of process work with the issuance of the Summons? I've found that my local clerk is taking 8-9 days to process anything, let alone the Summons.

Unfortunately the time it takes the court to review and process filings can vary widely between county / court and is out of our control. As soon as we have an issued summons, however, we will begin the process of serving right away.

What happens if the service cannot be completed and we need to request for an OTP? How much time will the order be open until we get that from court?

The order will be closed and a Non Service Report will be provided. Once the OTP is obtained then you can place a new order for us to post.

How does the e-serve option work?

E-Service generates an email to the party which provides the recipient a link to download the served documents. This process is fully tracked by the system, allowing the filer to view the delivery status in the Service Contact section of the filing.

Is there a mail serve option instead of personal service?

Yes, you can request mail service through Green Filing. However, it is the filer's responsibility to select the appropriate type of service for the document(s) they are filing and the circumstances of your case.

Regarding subpoenas for records, do you monitor timelines for a Notice to Consumer?

No, we do not monitor timelines for Notice to Consumer. We do serve each type of document but they will have to be submitted at the proper time.

And can you mail serve subpoenas for records too?

No, we do not serve by mail at this time.

Can you copy records if doing a subpoena for records and the entity requires a copy service?

No, we do not act as a subpoena officer.

Is there a way to contact the process server after service for such things as a mistake on the proof of service?

Once completed, no. You are always welcome to contact our support team via email, live chat, or phone and we are happy to put you in touch with the process server.

If service is unsuccessful, is there still a charge? If so, how much?

Yes. The job is worked and therefore a charge still occurs at the estimated price plus any additional approved fees.

If a case is in a county that does not have e-filing yet, is there an option to get the original Proof of Service?

We can serve documents in counties where e-filing is not yet available and yes we will provide a proof of service that can be printed and filed with the court.

What if my attorney does not populate?

That would indicate the attorney hasn’t been added to your e-filing account. You’ll need to go to Settings > Manage Users and add the attorney.

What's the difference between electronic service and service of process?

Electronic service simply emails copies of your document to the party. Service of Process is where a registered process server personally hand delivers and serves your documents to the party.

Not exactly service of process related, but do you assist with notice requirements (i.e., publication in a newspaper)?

No. At this time we do not.

When you use the mail serve option, does that include the notice and acknowledgment of receipt with the proof of service?

If you use mail service you are provided information showing documents have been mailed, but there is no proof of service. You would generate that on your own and indicate you used your e-filing service provider to mail the documents.

Is it the fee for each attempt?

No. The fee is for the job whether it takes 1 attempt of 5 attempts to successfully serve.

Is the process server option available to send documents to a Sheriff's Office?