Service deadline calculator
Serving late is the most common way a winnable case gets postponed or thrown out. Enter your hearing date to see the date you have to beat.
As printed on your stamped SC-100.
Why this is the step that kills cases
People put enormous effort into the merits of their claim and then lose the hearing date on a technicality: the defendant was served too late, or by the wrong person, or the proof was never filed. The court cannot proceed against someone who was not properly notified, and it will not bend on this.
The rules in short
- You cannot serve the papers yourself. Use the sheriff's civil division, a registered process server, or any adult who is not a party to the case.
- Service must be completed a set number of days before the hearing, and the period is longer when the defendant is outside the county.
- Proof of service must be filed on SC-104 before the hearing — not handed over on the day.
- Substituted service needs a follow-up mailing, declared on SC-104C. It is not complete without it.
Confirm the exact number with your court
This calculator uses the standard in-county and out-of-county periods. Deadlines can be affected by the method of service, court holidays and local rules, and your stamped SC-100 or the clerk's office is the authority. Treat the result as a planning date, and give yourself margin.
What to do if you are already late
Ask the court to postpone rather than turning up and hoping. A continuance for defective service is routine and costs you weeks; proceeding on bad service costs you the case.
Start with a demand letter
Most California small claims cases settle before anyone sees a courtroom. The letter is free to write, and you can have us print and certified-mail it for $29.
No account needed to start. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice.