INFORMATION ON SERVICES

A Legal Document Assistant, as defined by the California Business & Professions Code (Section 6400 (c)) is: "Any person who is otherwise not exempted and who provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing himself or herself in a legal matter, or who holds himself or herself out as someone who offers that service or has that authority, or a corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that employs or contracts with any person who is not otherwise exempted who, as part of his or her responsibilities, provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing himself or herself in a legal matter or holds himself or herself out as someone who offers that service or has that authority."

A Process Server delivers legal documents to individuals involved in a court proceeding.  In California, a process server is defined as any person who makes more than 10 services of process within this state during one calendar year, for specific compensation or in expectation of specific compensation; or any corporation or partnership that derives or expects to derive compensation from service of process within this state.  Laws concerning process servers are set forth in California Business and Professions Code (BPC 22350-22360).

Pursuant to state law, process servers:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Cannot have a felony conviction
• Cannot be a party to the action in which they are serving process (i.e., Plaintiff, Defendant, Petitioner, Respondent)
• Must perform their duties in compliance with provisions of state and local laws governing the service of process
• Must register with the County Clerk of the county in which they reside or have their principal place of business