An eviction in California is two service events: the 3-day, 30-day or 60-day notice, served under Code of Civil Procedure section 1162 before you can file, and the summons and complaint after filing. Get either wrong and the case can be dismissed with the tenant still in possession.
StrikeServe serves both stages through California registered process servers, logs each attempt with GPS and a timestamp, and returns a signed proof: a declaration for the notice, or the POS-010 for the summons.
Which documents get served depends on the stage.
Three-day notices are in Code of Civil Procedure section 1161; 30- and 60-day notices in Civil Code section 1946.1. All are served under section 1162.
Starts the court case after the notice period runs; attaches the notice and its proof of service.
Tells the tenant they have 10 days, excluding weekends and judicial holidays, to respond. Served with the complaint on every named tenant.
Completed by the server after delivering the summons and complaint; filed with the court.
Include the blank UD-105 Answer and any prejudgment claim form your court requires.
Section 1162 does not require a third party to serve the notice, so a landlord or agent may, though many use a disinterested server. The summons is different: Code of Civil Procedure section 414.10 limits service of a summons to a person at least 18 who is not a party, and the landlord is the plaintiff, so the landlord cannot serve the SUM-130.
Because the proof is scrutinized at any default or trial, most landlords use a registered server for the summons stage; the registration number goes on the POS-010.
Three flat tiers, the same price in all 58 California counties. Every tier includes up to three attempts and a court-formatted proof of service.
First attempt within 5–7 business days. For 30- and 60-day notices, and summons packets when the calendar allows.
First attempt within 2–3 business days. For 3-day notices where each day of delay costs rent.
Order by noon; first attempt the same day. When the notice period must start today, or an evasive tenant is known to be home now.
File-stamped papers, blank response forms, the service address and any notes.
Routine, Rush or Same-Day. Flat price, up to three attempts. Same-Day orders must be placed by noon.
Each attempt appears on your timeline with GPS coordinates and a timestamp.
Court-formatted, signed under penalty of perjury, or a Declaration of Non-Service if service fails.
Ready when you are. Upload the packet to start.
Section 1162 lists the methods in order. Personal delivery comes first. If the tenant is absent from home and work, the server may leave a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at either place and mail a copy to the residence. If neither place can be found or no suitable person is there, the server may post the notice in a conspicuous place on the property, give a copy to anyone living there, and mail a copy to the tenant at the property. The proof records which method was used and why, and is attached to the UD-100.
After the notice period expires and the complaint is filed, the SUM-130 and UD-100 are served like any civil summons: personal service under section 415.10 first, then substituted service under section 415.20(b) after reasonable diligence, complete ten days after mailing. Under section 1167, as amended effective 2025, the response is due within 10 days after service, excluding weekends and judicial holidays.
Posting the summons on the door is not an option unless a judge has ordered it. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 415.45, an unlawful detainer summons may be served by posting only after an affidavit satisfies the court that the tenant cannot with reasonable diligence be served any other way. The court then orders the summons posted on the premises and a copy mailed by certified mail to the tenant's last known address, and service is complete on the tenth day after posting and mailing. StrikeServe's Declaration of Non-Service is the kind of evidence that supports that application.
A proof that names the wrong tenant, omits the mailing date for substituted service, describes a method section 1162 does not allow, or is signed by the plaintiff can lead to a denied default, a granted motion to quash or a dismissal, and weeks lost serving again.
Every visit is recorded on your timeline with GPS coordinates, a timestamp and notes: who answered, whether the tenant was seen, vehicles present, whether a suitable adult was available. Those notes become the declaration of diligence for substituted service or posting, or the Declaration of Non-Service if service fails.
Order online in a few minutes, or call and we will set it up with you.