Mendocino — CH-200-INFO

Source: http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/ch200info.pdf

CH-200-INFO What Is "Proof of Personal Service"?

What is "service"? A registered process server is a business you pay to deliver Service is the act of giving your court papers to the other papers. To hire a process server, look for “process server” party in your case. There are different ways to serve the on the internet or in the yellow pages. other party: in person, by mail, and others. How do I have my court papers served? Step 1: Choose a serverWhy do my court papers need to be served? The person who gives your court papers to the otherBefore a judge can grant a civil harassment restraining party is called a server. Your server must be at least 18order (which can last up to five years), the person you want years old. They must not be protected by the restraininga restraining order against must know about your request order or involved in your case. This means that youand have a chance to go to court to explain their side. cannot serve your own court papers.Also, if a restraining order is in place, the police cannot arrest the restrained person for violating the restraining Step 2: Have your server give your court order until the restrained person is served with the order. papers to the other party Give your server these instructions: What is "personal service"? 1 Before you serve the forms, note which forms you Personal service is when someone, known as a server, have, including the name of the form and the form personally delivers your court papers to the other party. number. See form CH-200 for a list of forms. In most cases, these forms must be served on the other 2 Find the person you need to serve. Make sure youparty by personal service: are serving the right person by asking the person’s Form CH-109; name. Form CH-100; 3 Give the person the papers. If the person refuses to Form CH-110; take the papers, put them on the ground or Form CH-120 (leave this form blank); somewhere next to the person. The person doesn’t have to touch or sign for the papers. It is okay if they Form CH-120-INFO; and tear them up. Form CH-250 (leave this form blank). 4 Fill out form CH-200 completely and sign. Who can serve my court papers? 5 File form CH-200 with the court or give form Any adult who is not protected by the restraining order can CH-200 to the person who is asking for the serve your court papers. You cannot serve your own restraining order so they can file it. court papers. Step 3: File proof with the court Some situations may be dangerous. Think about The court needs proof that service happened and that it people’s safety when deciding who you want to was done correctly. If your server was successful, have ! serve your papers. your server fully complete and sign form CH-200. The A sheriff or marshal will serve your court papers for free if: person you want restrained does not sign anything. The court granted you a fee waiver; or File form CH-200 with the court in your case as soon as The restraining order is based on stalking, violence, or a possible. This information will automatically go into a credible threat of violence. restraining order database that police have access to. Another peace officer may also serve the orders for free. If the sheriff or marshal served your court papers, they See selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/CH-restraining-order/sheriff- may use another form for proof besides form CH-200. serves-request for additional information regarding free Make sure a copy is filed with the court and that you get service by a sheriff, marshal, or other peace officer. a copy.

Judicial Council of California, courts.ca.gov CH-200-INFO, Page 1 of 2Rev. January 1, 2026, Optional Form What Is "Proof of Personal Service"? (Civil Harassment Prevention)

CH-200-INFO What Is "Proof of Personal Service"?

When is the deadline to serve my court What happens if I can't get my court papers papers? served before the court date? It depends. To know the exact date, you need to look at two You will need to ask the court to reschedule (continue) items on form CH-109. Follow these steps: your court date. Fill out and file form CH-115 and form CH-116. These forms ask the judge for a new court Step 1: Look at the court date listed under date and to make any temporary orders last until the end of item 3 on page 1. the new court date. If the judge gives you a new court date, the person you want restrained will have to be served with form CH-115, form CH-116, and the original papers you filed. You should keep a copy of form CH-115, form CH-116, and a copy of your original paperwork. That way, the police will know your orders are still in effect. For more information on asking for a new court date, read form CH-115-INFO.

Step 2: Look at the court date listed under What if the other party is avoiding (evading) item 6 on page 2. service or cannot be located?
If you’ve tried many times to serve the restrained person,
and you can show the judge that the restrained person is
avoiding (evading) service or cannot be located, you may
ask the court to allow you to serve another way. If you
want to make this request, at your first court date tell the
Step 3: Look at a calendar judge details about your attempts to have the restrained
Subtract the number of days in item 6 from the court person served. The judge may require a written statement
date. That’s the deadline to have your court papers for this.
served. It’s okay to serve your court papers before
Read form CH-205-INFO, What If the Person I Want the deadline.
Protection from Is Avoiding (Evading) Service or Cannot
If nothing is written in item 6, you must have your Be Located?, for more information.
court papers served at least five days before your
court date.

Rev. January 1, 2026 What Is "Proof of Personal Service"? CH-200-INFO, Page 2 of 2 (Civil Harassment Prevention)