Form POS-010 at a glance
What it is: POS-010 is the Proof of Service of Summons, a Judicial Council of California form adopted for mandatory use.
Who signs: The person who served the papers (or the sheriff or marshal) signs on the signature line, with date and name.
Separate proof of service is required for each party served.
A filled-in Form POS-010 example: a friend serves a summons in person
How to fill out Form POS-010, box by box
ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY and the court
Under ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY (Name, State Bar number, and address), enter the name, State Bar number, and address, then TELEPHONE NO., FAX NO. (Optional), E-MAIL ADDRESS (Optional) and ATTORNEY FOR (Name).
Enter the Superior Court of California, county of, then the street address, mailing address, city and zip code and branch name.
Enter PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER, DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT, CASE NUMBER and Ref. No. or File No.
Documents served
a. summons, b. complaint, c. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) package, d. Civil Case Cover Sheet (served in complex cases only), e. cross-complaint, f. other (specify documents).
Party served and address
Party served: specify name of party as shown on documents served.
Person (other than the party in item 3a) served on behalf of an entity or as an authorized agent: specify the name and relationship to the party named in item 3a (and not a person under item 5b on whom substituted service was made).
Address where the party was served.
By personal service or substituted service
5. I served the party (check proper box): a. by personal service. I personally delivered the documents listed in item 2 to the party or person authorized to receive service of process for the party (1) on (date) and (2) at (time).
b. by substituted service. On (date) at (time): I left the documents listed in item 2 with or in the presence of (name and title or relationship to person indicated in item 3): (1) (business) a person at least 18 years of age apparently in charge at the office or usual place of business of the person to be served. I informed him or her of the general nature of the papers.
(2) (home) a competent member of the household (at least 18 years of age) at the dwelling house or usual place of abode of the party.
(3) (physical address unknown) a person at least 18 years of age apparently in charge at the usual mailing address of the person to be served, other than a United States Postal Service post office box.
(4) I thereafter mailed (by first-class, postage prepaid) copies of the documents to the person to be served at the place where the copies were left (Code Civ. Proc., § 415.20). I mailed the documents on (date) from (city) or a declaration of mailing is attached. (5) I attach a declaration of diligence stating actions taken first to attempt personal service.
By mail or by other means
5. c. by mail and acknowledgment of receipt of service: I mailed the documents listed in item 2 to the party, to the address shown in item 4, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, (1) on (date) (2) from (city).
(3) with two copies of the Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt and a postage-paid return envelope addressed to me. (Attach completed Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipt.) (Code Civ. Proc., § 415.30.)
(4) to an address outside California with return receipt requested. (Code Civ. Proc., § 415.40.)
d. by other means (specify means of service and authorizing code section): Additional page describing service is attached.
Notice to the Person Served
6. The "Notice to the Person Served" (on the summons) was completed as follows: a. as an individual defendant. b. as the person sued under the fictitious name of (specify):
c. as occupant. d. On behalf of (specify): under the following Code of Civil Procedure section:
416.10 (corporation), 415.95 (business organization, form unknown), 416.20 (defunct corporation), 416.60 (minor), 416.30 (joint stock company/association), 416.70 (ward or conservatee), 416.40 (association or partnership), 416.90 (authorized person), 416.50 (public entity), 415.46 (occupant), other:
Person who served papers
Person who served papers a. Name: b. Address: c. Telephone number:
d. The fee for service was: $
e. I am: (1) not a registered California process server. (2) exempt from registration under Business and Professions Code section 22350(b). (3) a registered California process server: (i) owner employee independent contractor. (ii) Registration No.: (iii) County:
Penalty of perjury and signature
8. By signing, the person who served the papers declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that it is true and correct.
or 9. I am a California sheriff or marshal and I certify that it is true and correct.
The person who served the papers (or the sheriff or marshal) signs on the signature line, with date and name.
Common questions about Form POS-010
Where do I file it?
Make one copy of your filled-out Proof of Service form. Give the original and copy to the court clerk. The court will keep the original and return the copy to you.[2]
Sources
[1] Form POS-010 (Rev. January 1, 2007), Proof of Service of Summons, Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).
[2] selfhelp.courts.ca.gov, submission_method (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov). Accessed October 20, 2026.
