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What Is "Proof of Service?" (Small Claims)

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2026

This form explains the rules for officially delivering court papers to the person or group you are suing in a Small Claims case. It describes two ways to deliver papers: personal service and substituted service.

The court describes it as: Explains how to have court forms delivered ("served") to the other side in your Small Claims case.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Hearing

Stage: Hearing

This form is used to understand the proper way to deliver court documents to the other side in a Small Claims case. It also provides deadlines for when service must happen before the trial.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

What is 'service' in this context?
Service means that someone who is not you or anyone else in the case gives a copy of your court papers to the person, business, or public entity you are suing. This lets the other party know what you are asking for and when the trial is.
Who can serve the papers?
A friend, a process server, or the sheriff can serve the papers. The person doing the serving must be at least 18 and cannot be listed in the case.
When must the papers be served?
The deadline for serving the papers depends on what form you are using and if the person is in the same county. For example, when using form SC-100, personal service must happen 15 days before the trial date.

Revision history

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

Related forms

  • SC-100

    Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

    This form is used to start a case in Small Claims Court. It asks the person filing the claim (the plaintiff) to state who they are suing (the defendant), how much money they are claiming, and why they believe they are owed money.

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  • SC-104

    Proof of Service (Small Claims)

    This form is used to tell the court that you have officially given copies of the small claims court papers to the other person involved in the case. The person who delivers the papers must sign this form.

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  • SC-104C

    How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (Small Claims)

    This form explains the rules for correctly delivering court papers to a business or a public agency in a Small Claims case. It provides specific instructions on who to serve and what information to write on the Proof of Service form.

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  • SC-120

    Defendant's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

    This form is used by a person who is being sued in Small Claims Court to file their own claim against the person who sued them. It asks the court for an order to proceed with the case in Small Claims Court.

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  • SC-150

    Request to Postpone Trial (Small Claims)

    This form is used to ask a Small Claims judge if you can move your court hearing to a different date. It asks for details about your case, your current trial date, and the reason you want to postpone the hearing.

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  • SC-112A

    Proof of Service by Mail (Small Claims)

    This form is used to tell the court that certain small claims documents were sent out through the mail. It asks the person mailing the documents to fill out details about themselves, what was mailed, and when and where the mailing happened.

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  • SC-100A

    Other Plaintiffs or Defendants (Attachment to Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court)

    This form is used to list extra people who are either suing with you or who are being sued in a small claims case. It must be attached to the main claim forms (SC-100 or SC-120).

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  • SC-100-INFO

    Information for the Plaintiff (Small Claims)

    This sheet gives general information about Small Claims Court to the person who starts a lawsuit (the plaintiff). It explains basic rules, like how much money can be claimed and how to properly notify the person being sued (the defendant).

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