Article 1 - General

California Code of Civil Procedure — §§ 413.10-413.40

Sections (4)

Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 191, Sec. 1.

Except as otherwise provided by statute, a summons shall be served on a person:

(a)Within this state, as provided in this chapter.

(b)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.

(c)Outside the United States, as provided in this chapter or as directed by the court in which the action is pending, or, if the court before or after service finds that the

service is reasonably calculated to give actual notice, as prescribed by the law of the place where the person is served or as directed by the foreign authority in response to a letter rogatory. These rules are subject to the provisions of the Convention on the “Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents” in Civil or Commercial Matters (Hague Service Convention).

§ 413.20

Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1610.

If a summons is served by mail pursuant to this chapter, the provisions of Section 1013 that extend the time for exercising a right or doing an act shall not extend any time specified in this title.

§ 413.30

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 403, Sec. 1. (SB 85) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)(1) If no provision is made in this chapter or other law for the service of summons, or if a plaintiff, despite exercising reasonable diligence, has been unable to effect service of the summons by any of the methods authorized under this chapter, the court in which the action is pending

may, upon motion, direct that summons be served in a manner that is reasonably calculated to give actual notice to the party to be served, including by electronic mail or other electronic technology, and that proof of such service be made as prescribed by the court.

(2)A plaintiff seeking to establish reasonable diligence under this section shall set forth facts detailing all attempts to serve the defendant by each of the methods prescribed by statute, including facts demonstrating why each method was unsuccessful at every address or location where the defendant is likely to be found.

(b)This section does not apply in an action against a governmental entity or an agent or employee of the governmental entity who has been sued in an official or individual capacity.

§ 413.40

Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1661.

Any service of summons which complies with the provisions of this chapter shall not be rendered invalid or ineffective because it was made by a person in violation of Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 22350) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code.