Los Angeles — How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (Small Claims)

Source: https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/sc104c.pdf

To serve a public entity, see page 2. SC-104C How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (Small Claims)

You must serve the right person and write the exact name of the business and the person to be served. Use this form to make sure you serve correctly, and follow the instructions on Proof of Service, form SC-104.

Business Type: Sole Partnership Landlord Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Unknown Proprietorship Association Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), Business Type (Only 1 owner) Limited Partnership (LP) Serve: The owner If you are suing a The property owner or Agent for service listed with Agent for service listed with Someone who partnership, serve one manager (Read Civil Secretary of State or any Secretary of State seems to be in of the partners. Code sections 1962– corporate officer (president, charge of the 1962.7.) vice-president, secretary, To serve a limited partnership, you business during If you are suing a treasurer), chief executive can also serve the general partner. normal business partnership and the officer (CEO), controller, chief hours partners, serve each financial officer, or general partner. manager Write on your • Business name • Partnership name • Business name (if • Corporation name • Company or partnership name • Business name, Proof of • Owner's name and • Name of partner, there is one) • Name of corporate officer • Name of agent or partner for form unknown Service form: job title general manager, or • Owner's name or agent for service and job service and job title • Owner's name agent for service and and job title title and job title (if job title you know it) Check that you • County Clerk–Recorder's or County Tax County Tax Collector Search under Corporation, LP and LLC at the California Secretary Try the other have the exact Assessor's Office (Ask to see the fictitious of State website: bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business resources listed on names of the business name statement.) Your county's Or call:1-916-657-5448 this page to see if owner and Web site may have this information. OR they know more business with: Check: www.counties.org. County Clerk–Recorder's Office: (Ask to see the fictitious business about the name statement.) Your county's website may have this information. business's • City Clerk's Office (Ask to see the OR organization type, business license.) Your city's website may City Clerk's Office: (Ask to see the business license.) Your city's like corporation or have this information. website may have this information. sole proprietorship.

Need help?
For free help, contact your county’s Small Claims Advisor:? [space for local info here]

Or go to selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims-advisor.

Judicial Council of California, courts.ca.gov SC-104C, Page 1 of 2Revised July 1, 2025 How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (Small Claims)

To serve a business, see page 1. SC-104C How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (Small Claims)

You must serve the right person and write the exact name of the public agency and the person to be served. Use this form to make sure you serve correctly, and follow the instructions on Proof of Service, form SC-104.

City, County, or Public Entity State of California, Federal Agency
State Agency

Serve: City or county clerk, chief officer or director of public agency, Use this general address for service: You cannot sue a federal agency
or agent authorized to accept service Office of the Attorney General in small claims court.
1300 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Exception: if your claim involves California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), serve it at:
California Department of Transportation
1120 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Important! Note:
Before you sue, you must first file a claim with the public Before you sue, you must first file a claim with the state or
entity. Contact it and ask for the claim procedures. the state agency. To file a claim, see:
www.dgs.ca.gov/ORIM/File-A-Claim
or call: 1-800-955-0045
Write on your • Name of city, county, or public entity • Name of the agency you are suing
Proof of • Name of city clerk, county clerk, chief officer, or agent for • Name of agent for service
Service form: service and job title

Check that you Call the city or county clerk. See the government pages of Call the agency to confirm the name and address for have the exact your phone book. service. Use the State Directory: names of the 1-800-807-6755 owner and Or search under the California Roster at the California Or search www.ca.gov/departments/list/ business with: Secretary of State website: www.sos.ca.gov/administration/california-roster/

Need help?
For free help, contact your county’s Small Claims Advisor:? [space for local info here]

Or go to selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims-advisor.

Revised July 1, 2025 How to Serve a Business or Public Entity SC-104C, Page 2 of 2 (Small Claims) For your protection and privacy, please press the Clear This Form button after you have printed the form. Print this form Save this form Clear this form