Subpoena served. Witness fees handled. Records returned to your office.
Deposition subpoena, business-records subpoena, or trial subpoena. CA-licensed servers, witness-fee tender included where required, registered-agent routing for corporate custodians, and a clean POS-040. $99 standard per subpoena.
Subpoenas are served like any other process — personal delivery to the witness (or registered agent for a corporation), with the witness fee tendered for non-party individuals (CCP §1986.5). Service of a business records subpoena (SDT) on a custodian must be at least 20 days before production. We handle tender, registered-agent lookup, and the custodian-of-records declaration.
Subpoena types we serve
Deposition subpoena — personal appearance
CCP §2020.310. Witness appears at a deposition. 10-day minimum notice. Witness fee tendered at service.
Deposition subpoena — production of records
CCP §2020.410 (SDT). Custodian produces business records. 20-day minimum notice. Consumer-records exception (CCP §1985.3) applies for personal-records subpoena.
Deposition subpoena — personal appearance + records
Hybrid. Custodian appears + produces. Combines §2020.310 + §2020.410 timing.
Trial subpoena
CCP §1985-§1989. Witness or custodian appears at trial. 5-day minimum notice for non-incarcerated witness.
Out-of-state subpoena (IDS)
CCP §2029.200 et seq. Use the Interstate Deposition Subpoena process for witnesses in another state. We coordinate with the host-state server.
Federal subpoena (FRCP 45)
Federal-court subpoenas use FRCP 45 service rules. Witness fee + mileage tender required at service.
How it works
Upload subpoena
AI confirms it's the right form (SUBP-001 deposition, SUBP-010 trial, SUBP-020 SDT), checks the 10/20-day notice math, identifies witness/custodian.
Witness fee + mileage prepared
For non-party individuals, statutory fee is computed. Federal subpoenas: fee + mileage at the official rate (FRCP 45(b)(1)).
Server attempts personal service
For corporate custodian: SOS-registered agent lookup, then served at registered agent address (not the office).
POS + tendered-fee declaration
POS-040 filed; fee tender noted on the proof of service. If the witness refused the fee or wasn't available, server's declaration explains.
Records returned (SDT only)
For business-records subpoenas, custodian produces by the date specified — we follow up if the day passes and you haven't received.
Witness fees + mileage
| Subpoena | Witness fee | Mileage |
|---|---|---|
| CA — non-party individual | $35/day (CCP §1986.5) | $0.34/mi |
| CA — peace officer (CCP §68097.1) | $275 ½-day / $550 full day deposit | Included |
| Federal (FRCP 45) | $40/day | IRS standard rate (~$0.67/mi) |
| Records custodian (no appearance) | $15 to custodian (CCP §1563) | N/A |
Servd prepares the tender check or cash from your authorisation. The amount is added to your invoice along with the $99 service fee.
Pricing
| Subpoena service (per witness/custodian) | $99 |
| Witness fee tender (per CCP / FRCP rate) | pass-through |
| Out-of-state subpoena (IDS coordination) | $165 |
| Records retrieval + return courier | $50 |
| Same-day / rush add-on | +$25 / +$30 |
Common mistakes
Missing witness fee tender
CA + federal require fee + mileage tender AT service. Without tender the witness can refuse to appear. We always prepare the tender check.
20-day rule violation (SDT)
Business-records SDT must be served 20+ days before production. We auto-compute the earliest service date that respects the rule.
Serving custodian at the office
Most corporations route subpoena service to their SOS-registered agent. We always look up the agent first.
Consumer-records exception missed
CCP §1985.3 personal-records subpoena (medical, financial, employment) requires consumer notice. We surface this on intake and prepare the notice.
FAQ
Do I have to tender the witness fee in cash?
Check is acceptable in CA per CCP §1986.5. Federal subpoenas: cash or check; some witnesses request cash. We can prepare either.
What if the witness refuses to accept the subpoena?
CCP §1987 allows the server to drop the subpoena at the witness's feet after positive identification. Refusal doesn't void service.
Can you serve a federal subpoena?
Yes. FRCP 45 rules apply — fee + IRS-rate mileage tender required. We compute mileage based on residence to courthouse distance.
Out-of-state custodian — how do you coordinate?
Interstate Deposition Subpoena (CCP §2029.200) — we get the host state's clerk to issue a sister subpoena, then a server in that state delivers. $165 coordination fee + that state's service rate.
Consumer-records notice — what is it?
CCP §1985.3 requires notice to the person whose records are subpoenaed before the custodian produces. We prepare the notice + serve it 5 days before the SDT.