Stakeout and Surveillance Service in Sacramento
Some people do not want to be served. They know the papers are coming and they do everything they can to avoid them — leaving before dawn, refusing to answer the door, varying their routine so no one can predict when they will be home. Standard service attempts fail because the person is never where you expect them to be. When that happens, a stakeout is the next step.
What Is a Stakeout for Process Serving?
Sacramento Registered Process Server provides professional stakeout and surveillance services for process serving throughout the Sacramento region. At $75 per hour with a 2-hour minimum ($150 minimum), our servers conduct discreet, patient surveillance at a subject’s known location — their home, workplace, gym, or anywhere else they are likely to appear. The goal is simple: confirm the individual’s presence and patterns so we can serve them successfully.
This is not a last resort. It is a strategic approach to a common problem. Evasive defendants, uncooperative tenants, and individuals who work irregular hours or live in gated communities often require surveillance before service can be completed. Our servers are experienced, discreet, and know how to blend into Sacramento neighborhoods without drawing attention. When you need someone found and served, a stakeout gets it done.
How It Works
Step 1 — You Provide the Details
Submit your service order through our online intake form. Include all known information about the individual — their name, address, vehicle description, known schedule, workplace, and any previous service attempts. The more detail you provide, the more efficiently we can plan the stakeout.
Step 2 — We Conduct Surveillance
Our process server conducts a discreet stakeout at the designated location. The server monitors activity, watches for the subject, and documents observations including arrival and departure times, vehicles present, and any identifying information. If the subject appears during the stakeout, the server approaches and completes service on the spot.
Step 3 — Service Completed or Report Delivered
If service is completed during the stakeout, you receive a signed Proof of Service documenting the date, time, and manner of delivery. If the subject does not appear during the surveillance window, you receive a detailed surveillance report documenting what was observed — which informs the next steps, whether that is another attempt, a different location, or an alternative service method.
Pricing
Stakeout and surveillance is billed hourly:
Stakeout Rate: $75 per hour
Minimum: 2-hour minimum ($150)
Service of Process (if completed during stakeout): Included — no additional service fee
Court filing add-on: +$30
The hourly rate covers the server’s time on location conducting surveillance. If service is completed during the stakeout, there is no separate service fee — it is included. You are billed only for the actual time spent. If you want to set a maximum number of hours, let us know when you place the order and we will cap the surveillance at your limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Submit your documents through our intake form. We handle pickup, service, proof of service, and court filing — usually same-day across Sacramento County.