Serving the other side isn't enough on its own — the court only knows it happened once you file proof. Here's which Proof of Service form matches how you served, how to fill it out, and what happens if you skip it.
Whoever hands over or mails the documents must be at least 18 and have no personal stake in your case — that rules out you.
There isn't one universal proof of service form — pick the one that matches what your server actually did.
Documents were handed directly to the other party by your server.
You mailed the documents with a Notice and Acknowledgment for the other party to sign and return.
Documents were simply mailed, first-class, postage prepaid — no acknowledgment required.
Documents went out by overnight delivery, a messenger service, or fax.
Use POS-020 when your server personally handed a non-summons document to the other party. (Personal service of the very first summons and complaint in a case uses POS-010 instead.)
Anyone 18 or older who isn't a party to your case can serve — a friend, coworker, relative, or a professional process server. You cannot serve your own documents.
Personal hand-delivery, mail with a signed acknowledgment, plain mail, or substituted service each have their own form — use the picker above to find yours.
The server — not you — fills in the date, time, address, and method of service, then signs under penalty of perjury.
Every proof of service form asks exactly what was served — list every document by name and form number, not just "all the paperwork."
Turn in the completed, signed proof of service to the clerk before your hearing — keep a copy for your own records.
Fill any of these directly in your browser — no printing, scanning, or separate PDF editor required.
Covers hand-delivery of non-summons documents directly to the other party.
Mailed with the documents so the other party can sign and return it; the signed form becomes your proof once it comes back.
For documents simply mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, with no acknowledgment required.
The flexible, general-purpose form for service by mail, overnight delivery, messenger, or fax.
Covers documents served electronically — by email or an approved e-filing service — to a party who has already appeared in the case.
Proof of service forms use specific legal terms. Here's what each one actually means.
A signed statement, filed with the court, confirming that specific documents were delivered to the other party on a specific date and by a specific method.
Handing the documents directly to the other party in person.
Leaving the initial summons and complaint with another responsible person at the party's home or workplace when personal delivery isn't possible, followed by a required mailing — documented on POS-010, not the forms covered here.
A form the other party signs to confirm they received mailed documents, avoiding the need for personal service. Service isn't complete until it's signed and returned.
A legal declaration that everything stated on the form is true — knowingly filing false information is a crime.
A postponement of a scheduled hearing to a later date, sometimes ordered when proof of service is missing or incomplete.
No. The server must be 18 or older and not a party to the case — a friend, relative, coworker, or professional process server can do it instead.
A server can still complete personal service by leaving the documents nearby if the person is present and refuses to physically take them — note the refusal on the proof of service.
File it as soon as your server completes it, and always before your hearing — some courts require it a set number of days in advance, so check your local rules.
Contact your server for a duplicate or ask them to sign a new one describing the same service — the court needs a validly signed original or copy on file.
No — one proof of service form can cover an entire packet of documents served together at the same time, as long as each is listed.
Formbono is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. If your situation involves domestic violence, urgent safety concerns, or is otherwise complex, consider contacting a local self-help center or legal aid.