California Filing Guides · Electronic Service

CCP 1010.6: Electronic Service in California

Who can receive papers electronically, what consent means, and why sending a filing to the court is a separate step from serving another party.

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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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E-filing and e-service do different jobs

E-filing sends documents to the court. Electronic service sends documents or a notification of access to a person who must be served. California Rules of Court, rule 2.251, governs electronic service under CCP 1010.6. A receipt for a court filing does not by itself establish service on everyone in the case.

Consent and required service

Rule 2.251 describes express consent, local-rule requirements and court-ordered electronic service. A self-represented party who is not required to e-file must affirmatively consent before receiving electronic service under the rule’s mandatory-service provision. Documents that require personal service remain subject to that requirement.

The rule identifies a notice of consent and form EFS-005-CV as ways to record express consent.
The designated electronic service address matters; the rule requires notice when it changes.
A nonparty needs consent or another legal basis for electronic service.

Completion, proof and response time

Rule 2.251 addresses when service through a provider is complete and requires proof under CCP 1013b. CCP 1010.6 generally adds two court days to specified periods after electronic service, with exceptions. A current published court ruling quotes that provision; it is not a universal extension for every deadline. Check the governing statute, rule and court order before counting time.

Check the service details before submitting

Keep the recipient list and service addresses with the filing record. Confirm which documents require service, who may receive them electronically, and what proof is needed. Legal Hub Group includes e-service free with an e-filing where available; a service feature does not decide whether a particular recipient may legally be served that way.

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$14.99 Legal Hub Group fee per e-filing, plus applicable court and court-system fees. No subscription. E-service is included free where available.

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Questions

Common questions

Does an email address in the case make e-service valid?

Not by itself. The applicable consent, statutory requirement or court order and the proper service address must be considered.

Can I email a summons instead of arranging personal service?

Rule 2.251 preserves personal-service requirements. Do not assume ordinary electronic service replaces service of initial papers.

Do I always add two court days?

No. CCP 1010.6 has exceptions, and some proceedings have different timing rules. This guide does not calculate the deadline in a particular case.

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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.