Service by Posting in Sacramento
When every attempt to personally serve someone has failed and they simply cannot be found, California law provides an alternative: service by posting. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 415.45, a court can authorize service by posting the legal documents in a conspicuous place at the person’s last known address. This method is reserved for situations where personal service and substitute service have been exhausted and due diligence has been documented.
Sacramento Registered Process Server handles service by posting throughout Sacramento County for a flat rate of $45. Once you have obtained a court order authorizing service by posting, we physically post the documents at the designated address, document the posting with photographs and detailed notes, and prepare a court-ready Proof of Service. We know the requirements, we follow them precisely, and we make sure your service holds up in court.
If you have been trying to serve someone who is avoiding service and your attorney has obtained — or is seeking — a court order for alternative service, posting may be the right next step. We handle the execution so you do not have to.
What Is Service by Posting?
Service by posting is a method of serving legal documents by physically attaching them to a conspicuous location at the person’s last known address — typically the front door. It is one of several alternative service methods available under California law when personal service cannot be accomplished through reasonable effort.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 415.45 authorizes service by posting in specific circumstances. This statute applies primarily to unlawful detainer (eviction) cases where the defendant cannot be personally served or served by substituted service. In these cases, after the plaintiff demonstrates that reasonable diligence was used to attempt personal service, the court may issue an order allowing service by posting and mailing. The documents are posted at the property and a copy is mailed to the defendant at the same address.
Service by posting is different from service by publication, which involves publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. Posting is generally faster, less expensive, and more commonly used in landlord-tenant disputes. Publication, on the other hand, is typically used in civil actions where the defendant’s address is entirely unknown. Both methods require a court order and documented evidence that personal service was attempted and failed. Your attorney can advise which method is appropriate for your case.
How It Works
Step 1 — Obtain a Court Order
Before we can post documents, you must have a court order authorizing service by posting. Your attorney files a motion with the Sacramento Superior Court demonstrating due diligence — the failed attempts at personal service and substitute service. Once the court grants the order, you are ready to proceed.
Step 2 — We Post the Documents
Our registered process server goes to the address specified in the court order and physically posts the documents in a conspicuous place — typically affixed to the front door. We document the posting with the date, time, exact location, and a description of how the documents were affixed. A copy of the documents is also mailed to the same address via first-class mail as required by the statute.
Step 3 — You Receive Proof of Service
We prepare a detailed Proof of Service by Posting documenting when and where the documents were posted, how they were affixed, and confirming that a copy was mailed. This proof is court-ready and delivered to your inbox. If you need the original filed with the court, we offer court filing for an additional $30.
When Do You Need Service by Posting?
Service by posting is most commonly needed in Sacramento eviction cases. When a landlord files an unlawful detainer action and the tenant cannot be personally served — because they are not home, are refusing to come to the door, or appear to have abandoned the property — posting becomes the fallback method after substitute service has also failed or is not possible.
Sacramento’s rental market generates a high volume of unlawful detainer filings, and landlords and property managers regularly encounter situations where tenants are unreachable. The tenant may have left the property but still has belongings inside. They may be avoiding the process server. In these situations, the landlord’s attorney petitions the court for an order allowing service by posting under CCP 415.45, and once granted, the documents are posted at the rental unit.
Beyond evictions, service by posting may be authorized by court order in other civil matters where the court determines it is reasonably calculated to give the defendant notice. This is less common than in eviction cases but does occur. If you are unsure whether posting is the right method for your situation, consult your attorney. The court will only grant a posting order if you can demonstrate that you made genuine, documented efforts to serve the person by other means — and a skip trace showing no alternative address was found strengthens that showing.
Pricing
Service by posting is a flat-rate service:
Service by Posting: $45 flat rate
Court filing add-on (Proof of Service): +$30
The $45 covers the physical posting of documents at the designated address, mailing of the required copy, and preparation of the Proof of Service by Posting. The court order authorizing posting must be obtained before we can proceed — that is handled by your attorney through the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a court order before you can post documents? Yes. Service by posting requires a court order in California. You cannot simply decide to tape documents to someone’s door and call it valid service. Your attorney must file a motion demonstrating due diligence and obtain the court’s authorization before posting can occur. Once you have the order, we handle the rest.
What is the difference between service by posting and service by publication? Service by posting involves physically affixing documents to a location — usually the defendant’s last known address. Service by publication involves publishing a notice in a newspaper of general circulation. Posting is faster and less expensive, and is most commonly used in unlawful detainer cases. Publication is typically used in civil actions where the defendant’s address is completely unknown. Both require a court order.
What does “due diligence” mean in this context? Due diligence means you made reasonable, documented efforts to serve the person through standard methods before requesting alternative service. This typically includes multiple attempts at personal service on different days and times, attempts at substitute service, and in many cases a skip trace or other efforts to locate a current address. The court reviews your due diligence declaration before granting a posting order.
How long after posting is service considered complete? Under CCP 415.45, service by posting in an unlawful detainer case is deemed complete 10 days after the documents are posted and mailed. This timeline is set by statute. The defendant then has 5 days to respond to the complaint after service is complete, rather than the standard 30 days that apply in personal service situations.
Can you post documents at any address? We post documents at the address specified in the court order. This is typically the subject property in an unlawful detainer case or the defendant’s last known address in other matters. We cannot post at a random address — the location must be authorized by the court as reasonably calculated to provide notice to the defendant.
Ready to Get Started?
Have a court order for service by posting in Sacramento? We will get it done.