Source: https://www.lamesa.com/business/law-directory/civil-litigation-law/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 16:16:55+00:00

Document:
Disclaimer: Laws regarding process serving can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page. Please consult legal counsel in your state.
Does a process server have to be licensed in California?
You can get California Process Servers License. If you don’t have your license, you must be registered and bonded. Read more below.
A summons may be served by any person who is at least 18 years of age and not a party to the action.
The Federal Law on this subject is covered in Title 18 U.S.C. § 1501, which provides in relevant part: Assault on Process Server Whoever knowingly and willingly obstructs, resists or opposes any officer of the United States, or other person duly authorized, in serving, or attempting to serve or execute, any legal or judicial writ or process of any court of the United States…shall, except as otherwise provided by law, be fined not more than $300 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Please note that lobbyists are active in California and laws concerning civil procedure and process serving can change. Therefore the information listed below may have been amended. For updated process serving legislation, please visit the California Judiciary and Courts website.
§ 413.10 Law governing service.
Within this state, as provided in this chapter.
Outside this state but within the United States, as provided in this chapter or as prescribed by the law of the place where the person is served.
Comment: The 1997 legislature enacted substantial changes in Section 22350, et seq. of the Business and Professions Code, requiring that all process servers who serve process for compensation-and also any corporation or partnership that derives compensation for service of process within California-be registered with the county clerk in the county where he or she resides or has a principal place of business. Licensed private investigators and their employees are among those exempted from registration.
In lieu of personal delivery of a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the person to be served as specified in Section 416.10, 416.20, 416. 30, 416.40, or 416.50, a summons may be served by leaving a copy of the summons and of the complaint during usual office hours in his or her office with the person who is apparently in charge thereof, and by thereafter mailing a copy of the summons and of the complaint (by first-class mail, postage prepaid) to the person to be served at the place where a copy of the summons and of the complaint were left. Service of a summons in this manner is deemed complete on the 10th day after such mailing.
§ 415.21 Access to gated communities.
(1) A badge or other confirmation that the individual is acting in his or her capacity as a representative of a county sheriff or marshal.
(2) Evidence of current registration as a process server pursuant to Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 22350) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code or of licensure as a private investigator pursuant to Chapter 11.3 (commencing with Section 7512) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b) This section shall only apply to a gated community that is staffed at the time service of process is attempted by a guard or other security personnel assigned to control access to the community.
§ 415.40 Service on person outside of state. A summons may be served on a person outside this state in any manner provided in this article or by sending a copy of the summons and complaint to the person to be served by first class mail, postage prepaid, requiring a return receipt. Service of summons by this form of mail is deemed complete on the 10th day after such mailing.
§ 415.95 Service on a business – form unknown.
(a) A summons may be served on a business organization, form unknown, by leaving a copy of the summons and complaint during usual office hours with the person who is apparently in charge of the office of that business organization, and by thereafter mailing a copy … by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the person to be served at the place where a copy of the summons was left. Service of a summons in this manner is deemed complete on the 10th day after the mailing.
(b) Service of a summons pursuant to this section is not valid for a corporation with a registered agent for service of process listed with the Secretary of State.
(a) If served under §§ 415.10, 415.20 or 415.30, by the affidavit of the person making such service showing the time, place, and manner of service and facts showing that service was made in accordance with this chapter. [It] shall recite … the name of the person to whom a copy … was delivered, and, if appropriate, his title or capacity in which he is served, and the notice required by § 412.30 appeared on the copy .. served, if in fact it did appear.
(f) All proof of personal service shall be made on a form adopted by the Judicial Council.
§ 2015.5 Certification or declaration under penalty of perjury.
You should contact a California Process Server if you have specific questions about Process Serving in California.

References: § 1501

§ 413

§ 415

§ 415

§ 415
 § 412

§ 2015