How Do I Become a Process Server in California?
Becoming a process server in California is relatively simple. There are no tests or exams to pass. You will be required to fill out some paperwork, register with the County Clerk or Recorder in the county in which you will be serving papers, and you will be required to post a $2,000 bond or make a $2,000 cash deposit with the state. You will also need to be fingerprinted, since individuals with felony convictions cannot be process servers in the state of California unless there is a pardon, a certificate of rehabilitation, or an expungement of your conviction.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Proof of one year of residency in California
- Fingerprints (fee involved)
- $2,000 bond (fee involved)
- Passport photos
- Registration fee
- Bond recording fee (minimal)
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to your County Clerk or Recorder's office and obtain the form you must complete to become a process server in the state of California. Fill out the form but do not sign the form until you return it to the Country Clerk or Recorder; forms must be signed in the presence of the County Clerk or Recorder.
-
2
Ask the County Clerk or Recorder which method of fingerprinting is acceptable in your country. There are two forms of fingerprinting and some counties accept both forms while other counties accept only one form.
-
-
3
Make a fingerprinting appointment with your local police or sheriff's office if a fingerprint card is required in your county. Be prepared to show a photo ID when you arrive for your appointment. You will be required to fill out two fingerprint cards; one will be sent to the FBI and the other will be sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The purpose of the fingerprints is to confirm that you do not have a felony conviction. There will be a minimal fee for having your fingerprints taken. Keep the cards with you, as you will need to take them to your County Clerk or Recorder.
-
4
Make an appointment with your local police or sheriff's office for LiveScan fingerprinting if your county accepts this form of fingerprinting. If LiveScan fingerprinting is required, obtain and fill out the LiveScan form. These forms are available from your County Clerk or Recorder. You will need to show a valid photo ID when getting your LiveScan fingerprints. A fee will be required for sending your prints to the FBI and to the DOJ at the time of your LiveScan fingerprinting. In 2009 the fee was approximately $56 plus a small fee for the actual fingerprinting, but check with your local law enforcement agency for current pricing. You will not carry any fingerprint cards to the County Clerk or Recorder if you use the LiveScan fingerprinting option, but you must obtain a form, signed by a law enforcement officer, attesting to the fact that you obtained and paid for a LiveScan fingerprinting.
-
5
Contact an insurance company or a surety company to obtain your $2,000 bond. The bond must be valid for all of the two years that your initial process server documents will be good for, so plan ahead. Ask your County Clerk or Recorder when the best date for getting your bond is. There will be a fee for the bond, which varies between companies, so check around.
-
6
Obtain two passport photos. There will be a small fee for these.
-
7
Pay a processing fee to the County Clerk or Recorder for processing your application as a process server. In 2009 the fee in most counties was approximately $134.
-
8
Bring all of your paperwork to your County Clerk or Recorder. This will include the original registration form you filled out, which now must be signed in the presence of the Clerk or Recorder, your fingerprint cards or proof of your LiveScan fingerprinting (if you hand carry your fingerprint cards you must pay the FBI and DOJ fee to the Clerk or Recorder at this time), your bond, the two passport photos, a photo ID. Be prepared to pay any additional fees that may be required. Each county has its own fees and rules, so check with your Clerk or Recorder ahead of time.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Once you are licensed to be a process server in the state of California, you may wish to purchase a few additional items, such as guides and manuals for the process serving business.
References
- Photo Credit woman with papers image by starush from Fotolia.com
