Educational guide
California Civil Electronic Service Checklist
A practical general-information checklist for electronic service of papers in a California civil case, based on California Rules of Court, rule 2.251 and Judicial Council forms. It is not individualized legal advice and does not calculate any filing or response deadline.
- Confirm that electronic service is permitted or required for the document, recipient and case. Rule 2.251 generally authorizes electronic service when a document may be served by mail, express mail, overnight delivery or fax, but statutes, court orders, local rules and the stage of the case can impose different requirements.
- Determine the basis for electronic service before sending anything. Depending on the case, service may rest on express consent, affirmative consent through a court or electronic filing service provider, or a law or court order requiring electronic service.
- For voluntary consent, review rule 2.251 and Consent to Electronic Service and Notice of Electronic Service Address, form EFS-005-CV. The consent must identify the electronic service address, and the notice must be served and filed as the rule requires.
- Use the recipient's current electronic service address. Check the docket, filed notices and service list rather than relying on an old email thread, and review any filed notice changing or withdrawing an electronic service address.
- Use the court-approved electronic filing service provider when the court or case requires one. Preserve the transmitted document, service list, date and time and the provider's confirmation or notification; a courtesy email is not automatically valid electronic service.
- Have the person who performed service complete Proof of Electronic Service, form POS-050/EFS-050, or another proof permitted by the governing procedure. The proof should identify the documents, recipients, electronic addresses, transmission date and the person who served them.
- File proof of service when required and keep it with the confirmation records. Rule 2.251 has a specific proof-of-service provision, and moving papers have additional filing timing under rule 3.1300(c).
- Do not calculate a deadline from this checklist. Completion of electronic service, any time extension and the effect of a failed transmission can depend on the governing statute, rule, court order and facts, so check the assigned court's current instructions and seek qualified legal advice for a disputed or time-sensitive service.
Official resources
This guide provides general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Rules and individual circumstances differ. In an emergency, call 911.