In California you cannot serve divorce papers yourself on your spouse (CCP §414.10). A neutral third party 18+ does it. Either a friend or family member, the sheriff, or a registered process server. Servd uses CCP §22440 registered servers — the same rules as a sheriff, with same-day availability in most metros.
What we serve
Every Judicial Council family-law form. Caption + filing court are pulled from your uploaded PDF; you confirm before dispatch.
How it works
Upload + AI extracts
Claude reads the FL-100 + FL-110. Pulls case number, court, both parties' names, your spouse's address. ~2 min.
You confirm
Account manager reviews the extraction, surfaces low-confidence fields (often the address). You sign off in chat before dispatch.
Server attempts personal service
CA-licensed server visits the address. Hands the papers to your spouse personally if available. CCP §415.10.
Substituted if needed
If your spouse isn't home after 3 attempts at different times, CCP §415.20 substituted service: leave with adult at the address + mail a copy. Counts as service.
FL-115 Proof of Service
AI drafts FL-115 from the attempt log. Human reviewer + the server sign. PDF emailed same day, original mailed.
Pricing
Flat-rate per case. No subscription. No success fee. Money-back if we don’t make every attempt in your service window. Skip-trace +$40 if the address turns out wrong.
DV-sensitive context
If your divorce involves domestic violence or you have an active restraining order, tell us in the intake form. Our servers are trained to:
- Coordinate with your attorney before any in-person attempt
- Use substituted service or service-by-mail when in-person is unsafe
- Never reveal who hired them when asked at the door
- Disengage immediately if the recipient becomes aggressive
Common mistakes
Trying to serve your spouse yourself
CCP §414.10 prohibits this. A judge will set it aside if your spouse files a motion to quash service. Always use a neutral third party.
Wrong address on the FL-110
The summons must list the right address, but service can happen anywhere your spouse is reasonably found (work, parent's house, hotel). Tell us the alternate locations in chat and we'll route the field server there if the home attempt fails.
Forgetting the FL-117 / FL-120 acknowledgement
If your spouse will accept service voluntarily, FL-117 Notice & Acknowledgement is the cheaper / faster path. We will switch to that flow if you tell us.
Service-by-publication too early
CCP §415.50 publication requires a court order showing you exhausted reasonable diligence. Don't default to publication; we attempt skip-trace first.
FAQ
What if my spouse refuses to take the papers?
Doesn't matter. CCP §415.10 only requires the server to deliver — the recipient doesn't have to physically accept. Server can drop them at the door if needed.
My spouse moved to another state. Can you still serve?
Yes. 50-state coverage. Out-of-state takes 3-7 business days typically. Pricing flat $99 + state-specific rush add-ons.
Can I serve at their workplace?
Yes, with conditions. CCP §415.20(b)(2)(B) allows substituted service at "place of business" but requires leaving with a person apparently in charge. Personal service at work is always permitted.
How long do I have to serve once I file?
CCP §583.210 gives you 3 years from filing to complete service. Most cases serve in 3-5 business days. Same-day available in CA metros.