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California Filing Guides · Starting a Case
Summons in California
A summons gives notice of a court case. The correct form, response warning and proof of service depend on the kind of case.
As of October 2026 · Official court sources below.
Not legal advice. This guide explains forms and procedures; it does not tell you what to put in your case or calculate your legal deadline.
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The summons gives notice; the pleading states the request
California Courts’ civil summons guide explains that the summons identifies the lawsuit while the accompanying complaint describes the claims. The printed warning concerns responding to the court. A filing receipt, a phone call or a conversation with the other side is a different thing from a formal response.
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Use the form for the case
The official court instructions identify different summonses. This is why a single response period cannot safely be applied to all papers headed “Summons.”
- SUM-100: the general civil summons.
- FL-110: the summons listed in the ordinary divorce instructions.
- SUM-130: the summons listed in the eviction instructions.
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Court issuance and service follow their own rules
Rule 2.259(e) allows electronic issuance of a summons bearing the court’s seal and assigned case number. The rule explains the legal effect of serving a printed electronically transmitted summons. The separate service process determines how the defendant or respondent receives the papers.
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The proof records the actual delivery
For a civil summons, the SUM-100 form points to POS-010. It records the papers, recipient, place, time, method and server. Family law and small claims have their own instructions and proof forms. A document check can spot missing details, but cannot establish disputed facts about service or determine which response is legally best.
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The free check remains available where we cannot e-file. Legal Hub Group also offers paper filing by request and process serving in all 50 states.
Questions
Common questions
Does every California summons give 30 days?
No. SUM-100 has a 30-calendar-day warning, but eviction and other proceedings use different forms and rules. Read the actual summons and applicable court instructions.
Does e-filing the summons notify the defendant?
Court filing and service on the other side are separate requirements. Confirm the issued papers and the applicable service process.
Can Lexary choose my response?
No. Lexary’s check is about filing problems, not selecting a defense or legal strategy. The court self-help center or a lawyer can explain response options.
Related forms
Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.
Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.