How Much Does a Process Server Cost?

No statute sets what a private process server charges; each company publishes or quotes its own price. What the law does set in California is the sheriff's and marshal's fee, who pays it under a fee waiver, and what can be recovered as costs.

The sheriff or marshal

The fee for serving process is set by statute at $50, with no extra fee for substituted service when it is authorized (Government Code sections 26721 and 26720.9).
A not-found return, certifying that the person or property cannot be found at the address given, is also $50 (section 26738).
Cancelling service of process (other than a summons) before it is completed is $50, but not if another fee was already charged for attempting service (section 26736).
No fee may be charged to serve a domestic violence emergency protective order, protective order or restraining order on a respondent who is in custody (section 26721).
A sheriff or marshal may require the fee in advance, if public agencies and private parties are treated alike (section 6103.2(b)).

Fee waivers

When a court grants an initial fee waiver, sheriff's and marshal's fees are among the costs that must be waived (California Rules of Court, rule 3.55). The court's order is form FW-003.

Getting service costs back

A party who wins costs can generally recover service fees: for a public officer, the fee set by law; for a registered process server, the amount actually incurred, including stakeouts or other efforts to locate the person, unless successfully challenged; and for publication, the amount actually incurred (Code of Civil Procedure section 1033.5(a)(4)). For anyone else, it is the lesser of the amount spent or what a public officer would be allowed, unless the court allows the full amount. The fee goes on the proof of service: POS-010 asks the server to state the fee for service. And a person who ignores a mailed acknowledgment for 20 days can be ordered to pay the reasonable expenses of serving them another way (section 415.30(d)).

What a private process server charges

Prices usually depend on the state, how fast the first attempt has to happen, and how many people are served at one address. Legal Hub Group publishes its routine, rush and same-day rates for every state on its pricing page, shows the price before you submit a serve, and offers subscription plans that lower every serve. Each state's page under process serving by state shows that state's prices.

Legal Hub Group's process serving is for law firms. Representing yourself? Our sister company Famous Legal Services serves papers for individuals.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Questions

How much does the sheriff charge to serve papers in California?

State law sets the sheriff’s or marshal’s fee for serving process at $50, with no extra fee for authorized substituted service (Government Code sections 26721 and 26720.9). A not-found return also costs $50 (section 26738).

Can the sheriff’s fee be waived?

If the court grants an initial fee waiver, sheriff’s and marshal’s fees are among the costs that must be waived (California Rules of Court, rule 3.55). Serving certain domestic violence orders on a respondent in custody is never charged (Government Code section 26721).

Can service costs be recovered from the other side?

A party entitled to costs can generally recover the fee set by law for a public officer, or the amount actually incurred by a registered process server, including efforts to locate the person, unless successfully challenged (Code of Civil Procedure section 1033.5(a)(4)).