Download the 2026 deadline chart
California process service deadlines can depend on the documents, service method, where the person is located, and the date of the hearing or other event. Our two-page 2026 chart puts common timing requirements in one place so you can quickly find the rule you need to check.
View or download the 2026 deadline chart →Updated September 24, 2026 · Two-page PDF
What the chart covers
The California process service deadlines chart lists selected requirements for subpoenas and notices, judgment enforcement and levies, motions, restraining orders, and small claims. Each entry identifies the document or action, the time allowed or required, and the California law or court form used as its source.
California process service deadlines for small claims
The chart separates personal service from substituted service and shows different timing when the defendant is in the county where the case was filed or in another county. For substituted service, the papers must also be mailed. The chart includes the separate deadline for filing the proof of service.
How to use California service day requirements
Start with the hearing, appearance, production, or service date shown in your papers. Check whether the applicable rule counts calendar days or court days, and whether you count backward from that date or forward from a completed event. Court holidays, the way papers are served, and any order issued in your case can change the calculation. The California Court Holidays page may help when a rule calls for court days.
Use the chart as a starting point, then confirm the current requirement with the applicable California Superior Court, the controlling law, and your issued court papers. If you need guidance about a legal deadline, ask your attorney.
Have documents ready for service? Contact JPL Process Service with the documents, service address, and your requested timing. For more about how service works, visit our process service FAQ.