Skip to content
LitigationForms
CH-205-INFOOptional

What If the Person I Want Protection From is Avoiding (Evading) Service or Cannot be Located?

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective September 1, 2022

This form explains options for serving court papers when the person you need to serve is avoiding service or cannot be found. It describes different methods a judge might allow, such as alternative service, substituted service, or service by publication.

The court describes it as: Explains what you can do if the other side is avoiding "personal service."

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This form is used when a person needs to file for a civil harassment restraining order but cannot personally deliver the required court papers to the person against whom the order is sought.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What is the main purpose of this form?
This form explains what options are available if the person you want protection from is avoiding or cannot be located for service of court papers.
Does this form tell me how to get a restraining order?
No, it explains what to do with service when the person is hard to reach, and it mentions that a judge must grant the order first.
What is 'alternative service'?
Alternative service is when a judge allows you to give the restraining order papers to the person in a way other than personal delivery.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect September 1, 2022.

Related forms

  • CH-100

    Request For Civil Harassment Restraining Orders

    This form is used to ask a judge for a restraining order to protect you from harassment by another person. It asks for details about you, the person you want protection from, and the harassment that has occurred.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-117

    Order Granting Alternative Service

    This form is a court order that gives permission for a protected party to serve another person in a special way when normal service is difficult. It lists the specific steps and documents that must be used to officially deliver the papers.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • CH-130

    Civil Harassment Restraining Order After Hearing (CLETS-CHO)

    This form is a court order that officially puts in place a long-term restraining order after a hearing. It asks the court to document the protective orders granted to certain people and details what the restrained person must and must not do.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-200-INFO

    What Is "Proof of Personal Service?"

    This form explains what

    OptionalFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-115

    Request to Continue Court Hearing (Temporary Restraining Order)

    This form is used to ask the court to change or reschedule a court date for a Temporary Restraining Order hearing. It asks the filer to provide information about the case and the reason why the date needs to be moved.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-116

    Order on Request to Continue Hearing (Temporary Restraining Order) (CLETS-TCH)

    This form is a court order used to officially change a court date or to confirm the status of a temporary restraining order in a civil harassment case. It records whether the hearing date was moved and details any new or continuing restraining orders.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-160

    Request to Keep Minor's Information Confidential

    This form asks a judge to keep certain information about a child (age 0-18) private in a civil harassment restraining order case. It asks the court to make the information confidential from the public or from the person who is being restrained.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • CH-160-INFO

    Privacy Protection for a Minor (Person Under 18 Years Old)

    This form explains how to ask a judge to keep information about a child under 18 private in court records. It tells people that if the judge agrees, the public cannot see the minor's information on the case papers.

    OptionalFillable PDF