Service and Proof of Service Rules
7280 rules across 73 courts
Service rules govern how parties must deliver filed documents to other parties and how that service must be proved. In e-filing courts, service can depend on whether a party is registered for electronic service, whether self-represented parties must receive paper service, and whether a certificate or proof of service must be attached. These rules often sit outside the filing portal itself, so a technically accepted filing can still be deficient if service is missing or late.
Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa
View all rules for CA-CONTRA-COSTA-SUPERIOR.When an heir’s or beneficiary’s address is unknown, a declaration detailing the search efforts is required before notice may be excused or an alternative notice prescribed.
Objections to motions in limine must be filed and served 5 calendar days before the issue conference, with a copy lodged with the assigned department's chambers.
The opposition statement must be served within 5 calendar days after the party receives the early conference request.
Copies of all written reports issued by a court-appointed Evidence Code section 730 expert must be transmitted to every counsel or unrepresented party at least 30 calendar days before trial.
The Evaluator must submit a written response addressing all complaint issues to the bench officer and copy all parties at least 2 calendar days before the Recommendation Conference.
A copy of confidential reports intended for use at a hearing must reach the courtroom clerk and all parties no later than five calendar days before the hearing.
A copy of the Request for Assignment of Discovery Facilitator must be served on every party to the action.
Represented parties in Designated Cases must allow service electronically.
Seven days before trial, parties must serve and file a list identifying all non-expert witnesses.
The petitioner must give opposing counsel or an unrepresented party notice of the ex parte application as required by California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1203, but need not notify the Court before presenting it.
A complaint declaration must be served on the other party, accompanied by a filed proof of service, and provided to the Family Court Services Manager.
Counsel must serve the complaint and file the required proof of service; failure to do so may result in an Order to Show Cause and sanctions.
Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
View all rules for CA-SAN-FRANCISCO-SUPERIOR.A proof of service of summons is required for every method of service, including notice and acknowledgment of receipt.
The Juvenile Probation Officer must provide notice concerning the authorization application.
When serving the first defendant, plaintiffs must contemporaneously serve DDC with the complaint, Preliminary Fact Sheet, and exhibits in cases where DDC serves as Designated Defense Counsel.
Notice of the final-account or final-report settlement hearing must be given to the probate estate's personal representative, any relevant trust trustee, and the parties identified in Probate Code § 2621.
Parties must file and serve SFUFC Form 11.16 with any petition under the Family Law Act or Uniform Parentage Act.
The filing party must provide either at least three days of telephonic notice or at least five days of mailed notice to all interested parties after filing the ex parte petition.
A proposed order must be served on the other party and lodged with the court no later than five court days before the hearing.
An amended or cross-complaint served by mail within California is subject to five calendar days when the party has appeared.
A request to depose another party's expert must be in writing and served on all parties.
Within 24 hours after receipt of the signed, endorsed-filed JV-183 order, the requester must give notice of the hearing date and time and serve the petition by e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. mail on all parties and the HSA court office.
The copy of an appearance-and-examination order must be personally served on the judgment debtor or a third party at least ten days before the hearing.
After the court signs an order for posting, the petitioner must post the summons and any other specified document in the location most likely to give actual notice for four consecutive weeks.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
View all rules for CA-LOS-ANGELES-SUPERIOR.In newly filed cases, Defendant must serve verified responses to the Standard Request for Production of Documents on Plaintiff within 60 days after service of its answer to the complaint.
Motions in limine must be served on all opposing parties and counsel at least 10 calendar days before the FSC.
Orders withdrawing counsel become effective only upon filing the proof of service of the conformed order on all parties and clients.
All defendants must be served with the complaint by the case management conference.
Plaintiff's attorney must serve this Order and the attached Joint Case Management Conference Statement Addendum on all defense attorneys upon service of the Summons and Complaint.
All exhibits must be exchanged with opposing counsel early, long before trial.
Parties must disclose closing-argument graphics, demonstrative exhibits, and visual aids to opposing counsel by 8:30 am on the day of closing arguments or risk the Court prohibiting their use.
The Song-Beverly Act Addendum to the Case Management Conference Statement must be served on all parties/attorneys of record concurrently with the Notice of Case Management Conference.
Both parties must serve verifications along with the documents they produce.
The moving party must provide notice of this Standing Order (the IDC requirement).
At the conclusion of each court day, counsel must advise opposing counsel of the witnesses to be called the next day.
Within 30 days of the CMC order, plaintiff must provide copies of specified documents (purchase/lease contracts, vehicle registration, finance/account information, repair orders, incidental damages documents, market value information, and pre-suit communications) to the opposing side(s).
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Palm Beach County
View all rules for FL-FIFTEENTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.Requests must be raised by a petition or motion filed with the clerk, with a copy served on the opposing side and a courtesy copy provided to the court.
Judge Coates requires electronic service in Division V matters.
At least three days before trial, counsel must pre-mark the exhibits and exchange the pre-marked exhibits with opposing counsel.
The unilateral proposed stipulation must be provided to opposing counsel at least 48 hours before submission to the court, and opposing counsel must not have responded.
The plaintiff must serve the case-management order on every defendant with the initial complaint or petition and summons.
The listed ex parte motions may be submitted to Chambers with proposed orders only if served on all parties.
Plaintiff must serve the standing order on defendant's counsel within 20 days of counsel's first appearance and schedule a meet and confer within 60 days after service.
Plaintiff must serve the standing order on Defendant's counsel within 20 days after counsel first appears.
The noncompliance suggestion must identify the person and conduct at issue, be served on all parties, and be sent to chambers.
If the motion is granted, Plaintiff must prepare a Notice of Sale and send a copy to every party.
The designated filer must provide a copy of the proposed order or judgment to the opposing party for review by mail, hand delivery, email, or fax.
By opting in, the self-represented litigant agrees that court filings and written communications will be sent to the designated email addresses instead of regular U.S. Mail.
18th Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County
View all rules for IL-DUPAGE-CIRCUIT.DCFS must provide a case/service plan within 45 days of placement.
An employer moving to vacate a conditional judgment must send the Notice of Motion, answer, and motion to vacate to the judgment creditor or their attorney and the judgment debtor.
Petitioners must serve written notice of the filing on the DuPage County Board of Elections within 24 hours of filing the petition.
If one party is absent at the initial court date, the appearing party must deliver a copy of the arbitration order to the non-appearing party by mail or hand delivery within 3 business days.
GAL pleadings must be served on all parties.
Notice of a final account hearing must be sent to a represented person's attorney no less than 20 days before the hearing.
Discovery documents may be served personally, by U.S. mail, or by email, and proof of service and notice of filing must be filed with the Clerk.
No summary judgment motion may be heard until ten days after service of the notice of motion under Supreme Court Rule 11.
Each party must serve a completed Financial Affidavit on all parties entitled to notice within 30 days of the respondent's general appearance or first responsive pleading.
Pleadings, motions, and other documents filed without service in compliance with Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12 will be stricken.
Accepted personal sureties' schedules of property must be filed with the bond and served on all opposing parties under Supreme Court Rule 11 within 48 hours of court acceptance.
The DuPage County Board of Elections must be a necessary party to any judicial review proceeding of electoral board decisions when it handles ballot printing, election materials, or absentee voting.
Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami-Dade County
View all rules for FL-MIAMI-DADE-CIRCUIT.Proof of service must be filed in the court record before the pre-trial conference; cases without it may be removed from the calendar or not called.
Before the hearing, parties must provide copies of all proposed exhibits to the opposing party and attempt to stipulate to exhibits.
A copy of the exhibit list and exhibits must be provided to the opposing party or their attorney before the hearing.
Emails to the JA (nrubio@jud11.flcourts.org) must copy all parties on the case.
Mandatory disclosure (including financial affidavit) must be exchanged within 45 days of serving the initial pleading, and non-compliance may result in an order to show cause why the matter should not be dismissed or default entered.
No emergency hearing will be scheduled on a new case without proper service, and a return of service must be filed with the Clerk of Courts.
Filings must be e-served on the opposing side through the E-Filing Portal.
If the opposing party is not registered for CourtMAP, the movant must generate their own notice of hearing with a certificate of service and mail it to the opposing party.
The service list must include all parties' email addresses for Trial Order delivery, and parties without email must be notified by the Plaintiff via US Postal regular mail.
All parties must be copied on the email submitting an agreed transfer to chambers.
Written notice with a copy of the motion must be provided to opposing counsel/parties immediately after a hearing is set, and the setting party must file the Notice of Hearing on the docket.
Emergency motions must be filed with the Clerk of Court and copies provided to opposing counsel.
Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Orange and Osceola Counties
View all rules for FL-NINTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.When any party receives service by U.S. mail, the proposed order and e-filed cover letter must also be delivered in hard copy by U.S. mail, overnight delivery, or hand delivery to chambers.
The motion must identify who received a copy and how it was received.
Counsel must provide copies of the withdrawal materials to every person who does not use the e-portal filing system.
The document is served electronically on the same day to all attorneys and interested parties listed on the ePortal Electronic Service List through Notices of Electronic Filing.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
A self-represented party must immediately notify the Clerk of Court and all other lawyers or parties in writing when contact information changes.
PowerPoints and similar presentations must be provided to opposing counsel sufficiently in advance to permit objections to be raised and resolved.
Case law and other non-exhibit documents must be emailed to the court and opposing party at least three business days before the hearing or trial.
The e-filed Notice and Form 51 must be emailed to the division email address with all parties copied to begin the trial procedure.
The parties must serve counter or fairness deposition designations at least 20 days before the Pretrial Conference.
Within the same advance period, the State must serve the Defense a list of intended PTD witnesses with sufficient identifying and locating information.
Hearing materials must be emailed to chambers and opposing counsel at least three days before the hearing.
Central District of California
View all rules for CDCA.Ex parte applications must be served electronically if possible; service is deemed upon e-filing, with exempt defendants served by fax or personal service.
Each party must serve objections to the other party's proposed jury instructions and verdict forms ten days before the Local Rule 16-2 meeting.
Government counsel must disclose to defense counsel whether electronic surveillance evidence or informant testimony exists.
Plaintiff's counsel must immediately serve the civil standing order on all parties and their attorneys, including any newly added parties.
Counsel must exchange objections to the proposed instructions 21 calendar days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Parties must exchange proposed general and special jury instructions at least 35 calendar days before the Final Pretrial Conference (FPTC).
Plaintiff must promptly serve the complaint per Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 and 5 and file required proofs of service per Local Rule 5-3.1.2.
All sealed documents must be served by non-electronic means, with the NEF and sealed document served on opposing counsel.
Redlined amended pleading must be delivered to opposing counsel at least 2 hours before Local Rule 7-3 conference prior to filing motion to amend.
Fictitiously named defendants must be served before the Rule 16(b) scheduling conference.
Ex parte application to extend time to serve fictitiously named defendants must be served on all appearing parties.
Plaintiff must file proof of service within three days after serving the operative complaint on all defendants.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County
View all rules for FL-THIRTEENTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.For notice to a person with a developmental disability, filing proof of service on the person’s counsel may satisfy the notice requirement when counsel has waived notice for the client.
Parties must separately register each entitled email address in JAWS for each case to receive electronically signed orders, judgments, notifications, and court correspondence.
The cancellation notice must be served immediately on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
The remission application and supporting documents must be served on the state and the clerk's legal counsel.
Every email sent to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
The required notice of hearing must be served on the clerk's legal counsel.
Counsel and self-represented interested persons seeking constructive service must complete and file an affidavit of diligent search and inquiry substantially similar to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure Form 1.924.
Service of a notice of hearing must occur immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A Notice of Hearing may be filed and served only after the Court confirms the hearing date or the other party fails to respond under the stated unilateral-setting procedure.
The petitioner must serve the Standing Temporary Order with the initial process and original petition.
Juvenile-delinquency petitions, motions, and other relief documents must be filed with the clerk and served under the cited Florida rules.
The notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties
View all rules for FL-FOURTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.The party presenting the proposed Order must provide addressed, stamped envelopes for parties not using the e-Portal and include their addresses on the proposed Order service list.
When impeachment by a prior inconsistent statement is planned, counsel must furnish a copy of the statement to the witness during trial testimony.
Before a default final hearing, the party seeking default judgment must have filed proof of service or an affidavit of diligent search and publication.
If applicable, Plaintiff must serve initial service of process on the specified defendants by no later than the court-entered deadline.
If counsel lacks an email address for an unrepresented party, counsel must mail or hand-deliver the proposed order and cover letter to the court.
Regular-mail service on parties not receiving E-Portal service requires a certificate of service to be filed in the case.
Cases in which the respondent is served by publication must include an affidavit of diligent search under the applicable Family Law Form 12.913 provision.
Further papers and pleadings may be served by mail or email, and service is complete upon mailing or emailing.
Zoom is the default hearing format unless a party gives at least three business days' notice of an in-person appearance to the Clerk of Court, provides notice to the Court by email, and emails the other parties if possible.
The party submitting the proposed order is responsible for providing addressed, stamped envelopes to parties not using the e-Portal.
Counsel must serve Plaintiff by United States Postal Service and email with the order and specified related documents, then file a certificate of service with the Clerk.
A motion for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the clerk, with a copy electronically served on the judicial assistant.
Circuit Court of Cook County
View all rules for IL-COOK-CIRCUIT.A notice of motion must be served with the motion in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules 104 and Cook County Circuit Court Rules 1.1(a) and (b); e-filing of motions alone does not satisfy the notice of motion requirement.
Emergency motions require proper notice per local rules and Supreme Court Rules, with proof of notice delivered to the Court.
Approved agreed orders must be sent electronically to counsel and self-represented litigants within 48 hours by the Clerk.
The parties must exchange the listed pretrial documents at least 21 days before the pretrial conference.
Counsel for movant must notify mortgagor by letter of surplus and procedures to obtain funds.
At the prove-up hearing, plaintiff must provide proof of service of the complaint.
Proper notice of the hearing must be sent to all parties of record.
Notice of settlement petition submission must be sent to all counsel of record, including email addresses.
Pretrial memoranda must be emailed to chambers no later than 3 court days before settlement conference.
The movant must serve the signed scheduling order and provide notice to all parties of record before 5:00 PM on the filing day via fax, email, or hand-delivery.
Notices of remote or hybrid proceedings must be given per Illinois Supreme Court Rules, Circuit Court Rules, and Probate Act to all parties, interested persons, and entitled persons.
Proof of service must be filed with each e-served document and include email addresses, page count, an e-service statement, and date/time of transmission.
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
View all rules for CA-SANTA-CLARA-SUPERIOR.The moving party must send a copy of the application to FCS.
The party requesting criminal protective order modification must serve the Request on all parties and agencies, including the District Attorney, Adult Probation (if applicable), the accused, and the accused's attorney, at least five days before the hearing.
Subpoenas for FCS records and the signed Protective Order must be served on FCS at least six weeks before the date the records are required.
Plaintiffs must serve the Notice to Small Claims Litigants with the Plaintiff's Claim.
The Inventory and Appraisal and the Notice of How to File an Objection must be filed and served within 90 days of appointment pursuant to Probate Code § 2610.
Evaluator must serve written recommendations and report within 60 calendar days of the first evaluation appointment.
Notice to all parties must be given no later than 10:00 a.m. the court day before filing an ex parte application.
Respondent must be served with FM-1199 and both redacted and unredacted versions of the petition.
Each party must file and serve a CSC Statement at least 10 calendar days before the CSC, stating remaining issues and proposed alternative language.
Notice requires serving the Declaration (FM-1013), proposed orders, and moving papers on all parties; telephone notice alone is insufficient.
The party requesting a criminal protective order modification must serve the Request on all parties and agencies at least five days before the hearing, and the prosecuting attorney must send a copy to the protected person unless the protected person is the requester.
For mail service, notice is complete only five calendar days after mailing; for next-day carrier, two calendar days after the carrier receives the papers.
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo
View all rules for CA-SAN-MATEO-SUPERIOR.A proof of service for mail service must use the language prescribed by Code of Civil Procedure section 1013(a).
An unopposed motion accompanied by defective proof of service may be continued, placed off calendar, or denied.
Civil Department electronic correspondence must simultaneously be sent to all opposing counsel or opposing self-represented parties.
A party intending to appear remotely must give notice of that intent to the court and all persons entitled to notice.
Plaintiff's counsel is responsible for maintaining and updating the email service list.
A party intending to appear remotely must give notice to the court and to every person entitled to notice of the ex parte proceeding.
For complex matters, all briefs, including reply briefs, must also be emailed to the complex civil department address in addition to any chambers courtesy-copy requirement.
If mailing is correct but publication is defective, the matter must be removed from the calendar or continued, with new notice provided by publication and mailing.
A completed Status Conference Statement must be served on all other parties at least five calendar days before the initial Status Conference.
Statutory notice must be published in decedents’ estates unless a will contains a power of sale or the estate is administered with full authority under the I.A.E.A., unless the Court shortens the statutory time.
Discovery requests under the Code of Civil Procedure must be served electronically on counsel for all parties.
Discovery responses must be provided electronically unless the parties agree in writing to another method.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
View all rules for PA-ALLEGHENY-COMMON-PLEAS.The party filing the praecipe must serve the opposing party with a hearing notice containing the requested relief and a copy of the proposed order.
The filing party remains responsible for serving all persons not covered by the DCR’s electronic notice procedure, as required by the rules of court.
Proof of service must be filed with the Department of Court Records and include an executed affidavit of posting service and one of the specified additional forms of proof.
A petition to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be served on all other parties before presentation to the General Motions Judge.
Service of an Allegheny County subpoena based on a foreign subpoena must comply with the specified Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
A defendant receiving a request must furnish the requested expert reports within 180 days after service of the request.
The party filing the praecipe must serve a copy of the rule on the opposing party.
For a minor's name-change petition, the petitioner must obtain the non-petitioning parent's consent affidavit and/or forthwith serve a copy of the scheduling order by certified and regular mail.
Service of the objecting party’s brief is required within twenty days after the overdue notice, failing which the objections will be overruled with prejudice.
The moving party is solely responsible for serving the listed custody-action documents on responding parties within five days after the Scheduling Order date.
When the court directs issuance of a writ, the order must be filed with the Department of Court Records, a proper writ must be obtained there, and the writ must be served on the respondent as directed.
The movant must serve all parties with notice of the time and place of argument.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
View all rules for PA-PHILADELPHIA-COMMON-PLEAS.When transfer is by petition after six months, the requesting counsel must serve notice of the hearing date on all counsel and the parties and file a copy of the Affidavit of Service with the Office of Judicial Records within 48 hours after receiving the scheduling order.
The Sheriff must advertise real property execution sales once a week for three successive weeks in The Legal Intelligencer and a daily newspaper, with the first advertisement at least 21 days before the sale.
For attorneys or parties without an electronic-filing account, service of e-filed documents must be completed by the traditional methods required under Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.
If the alleged incapacitated person is institutionalized, service must be made on an attorney or authorized personnel of the institution, and notice of the hearing should be given to the director or other authorized official.
At preliminary arraignment the defendant must be given written notice of the next Court appearance (stating date, time, and place), and must be served with written notice of any subsequent Court action, though failure to receive notice does not excuse the duty to appear.
Petitioner must serve the Order to Show Cause, Petition, and attachments on the Philadelphia County Board of Elections no later than March 17, 2026 by 5:00 PM.
Guardian must serve notice of any report filing on intestate heirs and the residential care provider within 10 days after filing, using the attached form.
Petitions under Section (B)(2) must be noticed as provided in Pa.O.C. Rule 3.5.
The Petition to Set Aside Nomination Petition and the Order to Show Cause must be served on an employee of the County Board of Elections, either electronically or at a specified location.
Petitions for Approval of Settlements involving minors must be served on all parties of record before they are filed.
If the grand jury does not indicted, the case is dismissed, the release order is sent to the custody record office, and defense counsel is notified by email, telephone, fax, or first class mail.
The removed attorney must serve a copy of the Order on all clients and file an Affidavit of Service, together with a copy of the Order, in each case where he/she is attorney of record, stating the client's current address.
Jackson County Circuit Court
View all rules for MO-JACKSON-CIRCUIT.The Court Administrator's Office must provide the notice summarizing Rules 68.12 and 68.13 to each pro se filer in a dissolution, post-dissolution, or other custody- or visitation-related proceeding.
The parties must serve and file with the court objections to the other party's counter-designations no later than 3 calendar days before trial.
The requesting party must deliver a copy of the entered protective order to the Director of the Department of Civil Records.
A minor over fourteen must receive notice of the guardianship hearing unless the minor consents to appointment, in which case the minor's witnessed signature must appear on the application.
Every withdrawal pleading and termination of limited appearance must include the client’s full address and be served on the client in addition to all other required recipients.
Motions must include certification that a copy was served on the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, and the court will not rule until the certification is provided.
For opposed motions in criminal cases, suggestions must be filed and served within ten days after the motion is filed.
The scheduling and pretrial order includes a certificate of service sent through the Court’s e-filing system to all attorneys of record.
Mailed notice and proof of mailing are required for creditors with unresolved claims, while publication is not required.
An order making specified probate rules applicable must be served on every party.
The covered discovery documents must be served on opposing counsel or parties as required by the Supreme Court Rules, and a certificate of service must be filed with the Court.
Parties must serve the opposing parties with their page-and-line designations of deposition testimony at least 15 calendar days before trial.
Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties
View all rules for FL-TWENTIETH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.Completing the form authorizes the court, clerk, and all parties to send case-related communications to the unrepresented party by email or through the Florida Courts E-filing Portal.
For parties without e-filing email service, the proposed order must state that a signed copy will be sent by regular mail.
A motion to cancel a foreclosure sale must be noticed for hearing and served on all parties and the senior foreclosure judge at least five business days before the hearing.
The other party must be served, unless both parties signed a written settlement agreement and the opposing party signed an Answer and Waiver.
Opposing counsel must be copied on the proposed order and any cover letters submitted through the portal.
Absent a written stipulation or agreement, motions and evidence may be heard only in open court with all parties notified.
A defendant may not be served under an extension more than 180 days after filing.
Service of the petition and summons is not required when both parties have signed a written settlement agreement and the opposing party has signed an Answer and Waiver.
The moving party must serve the motion on the opposing party at least seven days before submitting the order to the court.
The signer designates the listed e-mail address(es) for electronic service of all documents related to the case.
If service has not been effected by the date of the court-ordered case management plan, the plaintiff must serve each defendant a copy of the plan with the summons and complaint.
The petition and summons must be served on the opposing party.
Superior Court of Fulton County
View all rules for GA-FULTON-SUPERIOR.Proof of service of the initial petition must be filed within 60 days of case filing, or dismissal may result unless diligence is shown and court leave granted.
Expert notice must be provided seven days before any evidentiary hearing requiring expert testimony.
Supplemental discovery must be provided within five business days of receiving additional information subject to disclosure.
State must provide written plea offer with sentence and reductions at least 10 days before Final Plea.
Expert notice must be provided at least 14 days before trial and 7 days before any evidentiary hearing.
To seek service by publication, Petitioner must file proof of attempted service, a Motion for Service by Publication, and an Affidavit of Diligent Search within 90 days of filing the case or the case stands dismissed.
Parties must serve pre-trial submissions on opposing counsel by email.
Expert notice must be provided at least 14 days before the Final Plea/Trial Calendar Call and 7 days before any evidentiary hearing requiring expert testimony.
Expert notice must be provided at least 14 days before the Final Plea/Trial Calendar Call.
Bond motions must be served on the State.
Pre-trial submissions must be served on opposing counsel by email.
Petitioner must file proof of service of the initial Petition within 90 days of filing the case or the case stands dismissed, absent proof of diligence and leave of court.
Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas
View all rules for PA-DAUPHIN-COMMON-PLEAS.The objection must be promptly served on all other counsel and self-represented parties.
The court must issue and serve a rule to show cause on the tenant or the tenant’s counsel and all other parties of record.
Every filing must include a certificate of service as required by Rule of Criminal Procedure 576(B)(4).
Except for forfeiture petitions, an original petition and one copy must be filed with the Prothonotary, and a copy must be served on all other parties.
The motion for judgment on the pleadings must be filed with the Prothonotary together with a supporting brief and served on all other parties.
After appointment, the auditor or master must schedule a hearing, give all interested parties at least twenty days' notice, and provide the notice in accordance with Rule 4.2.
If service cannot be made, the Sheriff's Office must give the court an accounting of its attempted service steps.
The Divorce Hearing Officer must mail a copy of the Report and Recommendation and Proposed Order to all counsel and self-represented parties.
The court must issue and serve a rule to show cause on the tenant or the tenant’s counsel and on every other party of record.
Copies of the updated Pre-Trial Statement must be served on all other parties or their legal counsel no later than five days before a judge’s Custody Trial.
A motion for summary judgment must be filed with the Prothonotary together with a supporting brief and served on all other parties.
A copy of the Report and Recommendation and Proposed Order must be mailed to counsel and self-represented parties with written notice of the right to file Exceptions.
Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County
View all rules for NV-CLARK-DISTRICT.Civil trial memoranda must be filed and served on opposing counsel at the time of or before submission to the court pursuant to EDCR 7.27.
Deposition designations (by page/line citation) for testimony used in lieu of live testimony must be filed and served by facsimile or hand two judicial days before trial.
Orders shortening hearing notice below 10 days cannot be served by mail, and hearing notice may never be shortened below 1 full judicial day.
Prevailing counsel must submit a draft order to opposing counsel for review and return before the order is submitted.
Objections and counterdesignations to deposition testimony must be filed and served by hand one judicial day before the firm trial date.
All lawyers and self-represented litigants must register for electronic service on every District Court case at https://nevada.tylertech.cloud/OfsWeb.
Prevailing counsel must submit a draft order to opposing counsel for review and return, and opposing counsel has not more than 10 days to review and return the order.
Under EDCR 2.26, orders shortening hearing notice to less than 10 days may not be served by mail.
All lawyers and self-represented litigants must register for electronic service on every District Court case at https://nevada.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb or risk delays in receiving service.
A granted order shortening time must be served on all parties promptly.
Prevailing counsel must submit a draft order to opposing counsel for review before it is submitted to the court.
Trial memoranda must be filed and served on opposing counsel at the time of or before submission to the court pursuant to EDCR 7.27.
Superior Court of California, County of Fresno
View all rules for CA-FRESNO-SUPERIOR.Before filing an unlawful detainer action requiring a Notice of Restricted Access, the plaintiff must provide the court with separate stamped, legal-size envelopes addressed to each defendant and to all occupants.
When the minor is not in custody, reply papers must be served at least two court days before the hearing unless the Court sets a different schedule.
For every sex-offender-registration termination petition, the petitioner or someone acting on the petitioner’s behalf must serve the petition and proof of current registration on the Fresno County law-enforcement agency and District Attorney’s Office within 15 court days after filing, and file proof of service within the same period.
After receiving the report or dismissal, the court must set a hearing date and give reasonable notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the specified participants.
Responsive pleadings must be served no later than two court days before the hearing.
Non-routine ex parte applications require adequate advance notice to all counsel.
Preliminary-hearing suppression motions must be personally served and filed at least five court days before the hearing.
The Clerk issues the case-management notice when the complaint is filed, setting a conference at least 120 days after filing, and plaintiff must serve the notice on each defendant with the summons and complaint.
When the minor is in custody, moving papers must be served on the opposing party at least five court days before the hearing unless the Court sets a different schedule.
Reply papers and proof of service on all parties must be filed no later than two court days before the hearing.
Unless the court orders otherwise, motions in limine must be served at least 10 calendar days before the hearing or trial.
For a federal registerable-offense conviction, the petition and proof of current registration must also be served on the relevant United States Attorney’s Office and the investigating law-enforcement agency.
Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
View all rules for CA-ALAMEDA-SUPERIOR.Plaintiff must serve all named defendants and file proofs of service with the court within 60 days of filing the complaint.
Standard interrogatories to plaintiffs are deemed served when the complaint is filed; answers must be served within 60 days of filing.
Subpoenas for a child custody recommending counselor must be hand-delivered to Family Court Services at least ten days before the appearance date and must include the required witness fee.
A party demonstrates reasonable diligence for substituted service by making at least three good-faith personal-service attempts on three different days at three different times, on at least two different weekdays, with specific time-of-day requirements for dwelling-house attempts.
If the ex parte matter is set for hearing, the applicant must notify all parties of the hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
CEQA memoranda must be served personally, by overnight mail, or, if previously agreed, by fax or electronic means.
When a temporary guardianship hearing is deemed necessary, the court sends notice to counsel and petitioner; the attorney or petitioner must serve the notice and file proof of service.
Each defendant must file and serve all responsive pleadings within 45 days of service of the complaint.
Plaintiff must give notice of the case management conference to all other parties and file proof of service.
When the proposed adoptee is an adult with developmental disabilities, the prospective adoptive parent must mail or personally serve notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition on the regional center director and any living birth parents or adult children at least 30 days before the hearing, and must file proofs of service before the hearing date.
The courtroom clerk must send hearing notices to all parties and counsel at least ten court days before the hearing.
Mail service may be effected by placing the envelope for collection following ordinary business practices, provided the correspondence is deposited with the U.S. Postal Service the same day with postage fully prepaid.
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Broward County
View all rules for FL-BROWARD-CIRCUIT.After confirming the non-moving party's availability, the moving party must serve the notice of hearing on the non-moving party; the Judicial Assistant will not confirm that notice was received.
A copy of the notice of change of plea must be sent by email to the opposing party.
The notice of hearing must certify that the other party received notice via email.
Attorneys must register the client's email with the State's e-Portal for e-service within two days of the withdrawal order being signed.
A cancelled motion hearing requires filing a Notice of Cancellation with proper notice to all interested parties.
The client must be served with the Motion to Withdraw and Notice of Hearing, and the certificate of service for both documents must include the client's name and contact information.
The moving attorney must serve the client with a copy of the Motion to Withdraw and the Notice of Hearing.
Once a hearing date is confirmed, the moving party must complete a Notice of Hearing, file it with the Clerk's office, and provide it to the non-moving party.
Documents sent to the Court must state they were mailed or emailed to the opposing side or they will be returned as unauthorized ex parte communications.
Emergency motions and urgent matters must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and all parties.
Before scheduling a special set hearing, a copy of the motion must have previously been provided to opposing counsel.
The Court will refuse to hear a motion to withdraw if the Defendant is not present and proper notice was not given.
Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento
View all rules for CA-SACRAMENTO-SUPERIOR.A request to compel a party's physical presence must be served no later than two court days before the hearing.
Unless the parties stipulate, the Petition and related documents must be personally served on all parties or their attorneys before filing with the court.
The moving party must serve the ex parte order on the opposing/responding party and file proof of service before the return hearing date.
Notice must be given to the Director of the California Department of Health Care Services when a spousal property petition is based on Medi-Cal qualification.
DCFAS must immediately notify the court, minor's counsel, and parties of a dependent minor's 72-hour psychiatric hold, including facility contact information, and no later than close of business the day after DCFAS receives notice of the hold.
Proofs of service must be filed by 9:00 a.m. five calendar days before the hearing or the matter may be dropped.
Notice of the hearing on a petition for confirmation of sale of specifically devised property must be given to the devisee unless the devisee consents in writing.
The party directed to prepare a Findings and Order After Hearing must serve the proposed order on all other parties within 20 days of the ruling.
Plaintiff must serve the Notice of Civil Home Court Assignment and Case Management Conference by mail on all parties within 10 days of receipt and file proof of service.
Before filing, the rehearing applicant must serve the application and accompanying documents on all attorneys and self-represented parties (including de facto parents), and must attach proof of service.
Sale of a conservatee's residence requires prior authorization; petitions are considered only on a calendared motion with notice under Probate Code §§1460 and 2702, and a listing agreement may be approved ex parte once sale permission is granted.
The Court will not set an Election Writ merits hearing on less than four court days' notice to respondents and real parties in interest, absent good cause shown by a concurrently filed declaration.
Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter)
View all rules for FL-FIFTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.Documentary evidence intended for introduction at a Zoom or in-person hearing must be scanned as a PDF and emailed to the Judicial Assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing.
A party seeking to add allegations arising after filing must submit a Supplemental Petition and serve a copy on the Respondent.
A true and correct copy of the order is furnished by electronic service to both the petitioner and respondent.
A party asking the Court to mail proposed orders must submit hard copies to the stated Chambers address with stamped, addressed envelopes for every party not receiving electronic service.
A scheduling notice for a hearing, deposition, or trial must be provided immediately to all opposing parties.
The plaintiff must serve the order on each defendant, obtain proof of service, and file that proof in the court file.
The plaintiff must serve a copy of the standing order with every summons issued in a circuit civil case.
The scheduling party must file and serve the Notice of Hearing on all required parties after confirmation.
When a proposed Final Judgment requires a Fact Information Sheet, it must be served with the judgment and the filed certificate of service must report that service.
All pleadings must be served timely to prevent prejudice or delay to the opposing party.
Evidence must be electronically served on opposing counsel at least two business days before the hearing or trial.
The proposed-order certificate of service identifies E-Service as the delivery method and lists each served party's counsel name, address, and email address.
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
View all rules for OH-CUYAHOGA-COMMON-PLEAS.Until further notice, USPS certified mail is acceptable only when the return contains a clear, legible signature as determined by the Court.
Trial briefs must be served and filed at least seven days before trial.
At the hearing, the Plaintiff must provide proof that the defendants’ service address is valid.
The filing party is responsible for serving every filing made after the complaint.
Until further notice, Certified Mail is not acceptable for service unless the return contains a clear, legible signature as determined by the court.
Proposed orders must be served contemporaneously on all parties.
Each pro se litigant is responsible for obtaining copies of all documents filed in the case.
Service on a nonresident pro hac vice attorney must also be made on local counsel, and service on local counsel is deemed service on the nonresident attorney.
An E-filed complaint, third-party complaint, or other summons-bearing claim must include required service instructions.
The Plaintiff’s attorney must file an affidavit of service or proof of service on the defendants for the complaint.
Proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be served on the other parties at least 14 days before trial.
The parties must serve their proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms on one another.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County
View all rules for MI-OAKLAND-CIRCUIT.Parties must serve the opposing party or counsel on the briefs, lists, and motions covered by the order.
A copy of the protective order must accompany every subpoena seeking documents or information from a non-party.
For a party not connected to e-filing, a separate proof of service must be timely filed to avoid dismissal of the motion for improper service.
Notice must be given when default judgment will be requested, unless the request is made on the trial day.
Parties not connected to the e-file system must timely file a separate proof of service or the motion may be dismissed for improper service.
A party filing a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint must serve initial disclosures within 14 days after an opposing party answers that pleading.
Trial exhibits must be emailed to the court’s staff attorney and opposing party or attorney no later than one week before trial.
An alternate-service motion must use the approved SCAO form and include a process-server affidavit documenting at least three attempts varied by time and day of week; its proposed order must specify certified mail, posting or affixing, and publication for three consecutive weeks.
Juvenile-matter adjournment requests must be emailed to both the judicial assistant and chambers.
Trial exhibits must be emailed to the court’s staff attorney and opposing party or counsel no later than one week before trial.
Counsel of record must accept email service, and email service is accomplished upon transmission unless the sender knows or learns that the email was not received.
Proofs of service must be filed when or before default judgment is taken.
Southern District of Texas
View all rules for SDTX.A party requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify offering counsel in writing within five days after the exhibit is listed and made available, and failure to object in writing before trial concedes authenticity.
All documentary exhibits must be exchanged before trial, with rebuttal exhibits exempt.
Attached court materials must be served with summons and complaint or removal papers.
Defendants removing cases from state court must serve the Order for Conference and Disclosure of Interested Parties on all other counsel.
Plaintiffs must serve court materials and Order for Conference and Disclosure of Interested Parties on all defendants with summons and complaint.
Revised deposition designations must be provided to opposing counsel two days before intended use.
Counsel who require authentication of an opposing party's exhibits must give written notice to the opponent by the Local Rules deadline.
Any party receiving the order must provide a copy of the order to all other parties.
Counsel must notify offering counsel in writing within 7 days of exhibit identification to require authentication, or risk admission of authenticity.
Defendant must be served within 90 days of complaint filing; failure leads to dismissal unless good cause shown.
Counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify opposing counsel in writing within 5 business days after the exhibit is made available, otherwise authenticity is deemed admitted.
Counsel must serve the Order for Conference with the summons/complaint or notice of removal.
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
View all rules for CA-SAN-BERNARDINO-SUPERIOR.A Request for Informal Discovery Conference must be served on all parties by an authorized or agreed method no later than the next court day after filing.
Service of a motion in limine must be completed at least eight days before the conference.
An Answer to a Request for Informal Discovery Conference must be served on the opposing party by an authorized or agreed-upon method no later than the next court day after filing.
Any written motion in limine must be served on the opposing party eight days before the applicable filing event.
Unless the parties stipulate or the court orders otherwise, authenticity declarations, affidavits, or sworn testimony must be filed and served when AI-generated material is submitted or filed.
Documents presented to the court at the readiness calendar must be served on opposing counsel pursuant to San Bernardino County Local Rule 411 et seq.
Notice of the discovery conference must be given to all parties.
The plaintiff must file proof of service for the summons and complaint and for the Initial Case Management Conference Order.
Reply papers must be filed and served on every party at least two court days before the hearing, subject to the Rule 1650.1 extensions when personal service is not used.
Parties must comply with California Rules of Court rule 3.1206 when serving ex parte application and opposition papers.
Counsel must advise witnesses of applicable witness rules and the Court's motions-in-limine rulings.
All motions in limine must be filed directly in Department S-36, with service completed at least eight days before the Trial Readiness Conference.
Superior Court of California, County of Kern
View all rules for CA-KERN-SUPERIOR.Notice of an ex parte hearing must be given to all counsel and unrepresented opposing parties by 8:30 a.m. on the court day before the hearing.
A party filing the notice must serve the child’s social worker and attorney or CASA before filing, using personal service, first-class mail, or an equivalent method and filing proof of service; the clerk serves a nonparty’s letter instead.
When the insurer claim is resolved, plaintiff’s counsel must notify the insurer that the action is pending and seek consent to dismiss it.
A represented party, or an unrepresented party consenting to electronic service, must provide its electronic service addresses when it first electronically files, may list two addresses, and those addresses are proper for service.
The motion and supporting papers must be served on all parties at least five court days before the hearing.
The court must mail case-specific reassignment notice to every self-represented litigant.
At least 15 days' notice must be mailed to all second-degree relatives.
Proof of service for the complaint or cross-complaint and summons must include proof of service of the Notice of CMC unless it is noted on the complaint.
When a child-support Request for Order, Order to Show Cause, or Notice of Motion is filed and a party receives cash aid such as CalWORKs/TANF or Medi-Cal, the moving party must serve their moving papers on the local Department of Child Support Services.
The listed final case management documents must be served on every other party and submitted to the court at least five days before the final case management conference and no less than fifteen days before trial.
Notice of the hearing must be given to a prior representative, fiduciary, or counsel when a probate petition requests fees or commissions after a change in representation or counsel, unless a statutory exception applies.
Electronic service of all pleadings and documents applies when the parties consent to or the court orders application of the FLCM Rules.
California Rules of Court
View all rules for CA-STATEWIDE.Electronic filers must immediately notify the court and all parties of any change to their electronic service address, if they have consented to or are required to accept e-service.
Parties required to file electronically must also serve and accept service of documents electronically, subject to exceptions for personal service, court orders, and self-represented parties.
Notice to persons represented by attorney must be sent per Probate Code 1214.
Guardians must serve final account and settlement petition on the minor upon guardianship termination, unless court dispenses.
Transferring court clerk must transmit certified copy of transfer order and all case papers to receiving court.
Proof of service for moving papers must be filed at least five court days before the hearing.
Multiple notices mailed to same household must be sent separately.
Notices mailed to multiple people in the same household must be sent separately to each person.
Initial appearance notice to respondent must be personal or alternative service, with proof requirements for non-personal service.
A party whose electronic service address changes while the case is pending must promptly file and serve a notice of change of address.
Unless waived, post-move notice must be mailed to specified persons with proof of mailing filed with original.
Notices sent by mail under Probate Code 1220 must be mailed individually and directly to the entitled person.
Northern District of California
View all rules for NDCA.The moving party must serve, but not file, each motion in limine opening brief at least 28 calendar days before the final pretrial conference.
Responding party must serve opposition to motion in limine at least 20 calendar days before the final pretrial conference.
Copies of all marked exhibits must be served on all parties at least seven days before the pretrial conference.
Parties must exchange all exhibits and related materials for their case-in-chief, plus a complete exhibit list, at least 21 calendar days before the final pretrial conference; voluminous exhibits must be reduced to remove irrelevant portions or use summaries.
Motions in limine moving papers must be served (not filed) at least 14 days before the pretrial filings due date.
Emergency relief will be denied unless the applicant shows it made every reasonable effort to notify the opposing party at the earliest possible time of its intent to seek emergency relief.
Counsel must exchange witness lists and direct examination exhibits at the end of each trial day; opposing counsel must respond with objections and cross-examination exhibits within 24 hours.
Motions in limine must be served 28 days before the pretrial conference.
Service of summons and complaint must be made by a non-party at least 18 years old; parties cannot serve.
Confidential Settlement Statements must not be served on other parties.
Notices of deposition must be served at least 30 days before the close of fact discovery.
Electronic copies of the attorney’s fees motion chart must be submitted in Word format to the designated court email address (nwpo@cand.uscourts.gov).
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
View all rules for OH-FRANKLIN-COMMON-PLEAS.The Clerk must serve the Case Schedule on each defendant together with copies of the pleading and summons.
After the Court approves and e-files a proposed order or entry, the submitting party must print and mail it to all non-registered parties.
The party submitting a proposed order or entry is responsible for serving the signed e-filed copy, while the Clerk is responsible for serving the Civ.R. 58(B) notice of judgment and recording that service.
If title evidence shows that necessary parties were not made defendants, the attorney must promptly add and serve those parties with the complaint under the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.
The Probation Department must notify the ODRC of the disposition of each CQE Petition as required by the Ohio Administrative Code.
The party making service of an entered order must file proof of service.
Notice of the time and place of an urgent equitable-relief hearing must be served on the adverse party or the party's counsel.
For a trial assignment date change initiated by the trial judge, the Court must mail the Amended Case Schedule to all parties.
Counsel or parties using the Waiver of Service procedure must deliver the Original Case Schedule with the other documents required by Civil Rule 4.7(A)(3).
The Clerk must serve registered users with the Civ.R. 58(B) notice of judgment electronically through the e-Filing System notifications page.
The appellant must serve copies of the notice of appeal and affidavit on all parties or their counsel and on the Arbitration Clerk.
Interrogatories, requests for production or inspection, and requests for admissions must be served under the corresponding Civil Rules but should not be filed with the court.
Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Pasco and Pinellas Counties
View all rules for FL-SIXTH-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT.The plaintiff or counsel must serve the corresponding case-track Standing Order on all named defendants together with the summons and complaint.
A self-represented party who has not consented to email service must receive all pleadings and orders by U.S. mail.
Opposing counsel or the opposing party must be emailed a copy of an emergency motion in the same manner in which the courtesy copy is emailed to the court.
The plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must file and serve the standing order with the summons and complaint.
A nonmoving opposing party served with a listed foreclosure motion has 16 days to file a written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
When a pro se party is present, the moving party must mail the order to that party.
The moving party must verify counsel and associated-party information in JAWS so that all parties receive hearing scheduling and cancellation emails.
Each party must serve its case-in-chief deposition designations no later than 25 days before the pre-trial conference, subject to the paragraph 7 exception.
Motions in limine must comply with the CMC and PTC orders and be served on opposing counsel and the court no later than 30 days before the pretrial conference.
At least 60 days before the Pre-Trial Conference, counsel for each defendant must serve a list of the names and addresses of all non-party defendants the defendant intends to include on the verdict form.
A notice of cancellation must be immediately filed and served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Email a copy of the pre-trial order to the judicial assistant at least three days before the pretrial conference.
Collin County District Courts
View all rules for TX-COLLIN-DISTRICT.Evidence emailed instead of submitted through Dropbox must be sent to all parties, the court reporter, and the court officer by noon on the day before the hearing.
The pro se litigant is responsible for ensuring that all opposing parties or attorneys receive timely notice of the trial setting in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Parties seeking affirmative relief must serve their expert designations and provide the experts' written reports by the scheduling-order deadline.
The filing party is responsible for ensuring that all opposing parties or attorneys receive timely notice of the trial setting in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
In divorce cases, each party must serve a sworn inventory on the other party within 30 days after the order.
All parties must be served or have waivers on file by the Initial Permanency Hearing date, and Petitioner must provide written proof of due diligence for unserved parties on that date.
Proof of notice must be filed or offered as a court-reporter exhibit before proceeding with a motion or hearing without the opposing side present.
Amended pleadings asserting new claims or defenses must be filed with the court and served on all other parties by the stated deadline.
The submitting attorney must certify transmission of the temporary order and objection letter to opposing counsel by eFile or to the opposing party at the last known address or previously used email address, and no objection may be filed.
Before finalizing a case, verify that either a signed and notarized respondent waiver of service has been filed or citation has been served with the return on file for at least 10 days and the answer date passed, or that the respondent has answered; service must comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Hearing exhibits must be emailed to all parties, the court reporter, and the Court Coordinator no later than noon on the day before the hearing.
To proceed without the opposing side present, a party must provide the court with proof of notice by filing it or offering it as an exhibit to the court reporter.
Southern District of New York
View all rules for SDNY.Moving parties must serve Rule 56.1 Statements electronically in Microsoft Word format to all other parties.
Deposition excerpts offered as substantive evidence and their synopses must be served on opposing counsel.
Motions for reconsideration must be served within 14 days of the entry of the challenged court order, unless otherwise provided.
Opposing parties are not required to serve responsive papers to motions for reconsideration unless directed by Judge McMahon.
Plaintiff must produce Initial Discovery to Defendant within 30 calendar days of Defendant filing a responsive pleading or motion.
Parties must exchange FRCP 26(a) required initial discovery within 30 days of answer on last plaintiff or by case management order date.
A defendant must serve the sentencing submission two weeks before the sentencing date.
Counsel must file proof of service of the OSC on the client before the return date.
Affidavits constituting the direct testimony of trial witnesses must be served on opposing counsel.
In summary-judgment motions, the moving party must provide all other parties an electronic copy of its Rule 56.1 statement, except in pro se cases where a moving or non-moving party lacks access to word processing.
Once the filings are approved as to form and the Court issues its order, a copy of the scheduling order must be served on the opposing party and proof of service filed.
The summary judgment movant must provide all other parties an electronic Microsoft Word copy of its Rule 56.1 statement, and opposing parties must reproduce each entry directly beneath it.
Dallas County Civil District Courts
View all rules for TX-DALLAS-CIVIL-DISTRICT-COURTS.Respondent must file and serve all responsive evidence at least 4 days before the TI hearing.
Substitute service requires mailing the citation, Petition, and Order by both certified mail (return receipt requested) and regular mail to the defendant's address.
A copy of any envelope or green card returned by the post office must be attached to the return of service.
Attorneys and parties must work together to send a single consolidated remote-access submission to the Court Reporter, copying all counsel and self-represented parties.
Substitute service may be perfected by leaving a copy with anyone over 16 at the defendant's address or by affixing a copy to the front door of the last known abode or business.
Before presenting a TRO application to the Court, the applicant must notify the opposing party (or counsel) and provide a copy of the application and proposed order at least 2 hours in advance, unless an exception applies.
The return of service shall not be made until 30 days after mailing or until the green card is received back, whichever is earlier.
Motions and pleadings must not be served in any manner that unfairly limits another party's opportunity to respond.
A party setting a hearing must serve written notice on all parties, with a copy to the Clerk, within one business day of receiving the setting.
Copies of exhibits must be directed to opposing counsel contemporaneously.
Applicant must serve final affidavits and identify witnesses within 2 days after the TRO application is filed or granted.
Failure by a self-represented litigant to accept or pick up mail at the provided address constitutes constructive receipt, provable by postal receipt or comparable proof.
Western District of Washington
View all rules for WDWA.Chapter 7 trustee must provide notice of final report and fee application using specific form in cases exceeding threshold.
Proposed jury instructions must be served on all parties.
Service of the motion to seal and sealed document must comply with Federal and Local Rules and include a certificate of service.
Non-Infringement and Invalidity Contentions must be served within 30 days after service of Infringement Contentions.
Clerk must serve notice of §341 meeting in each new and converted case.
When filing a notice of related case, a copy must be served on all counsel of record.
Debtor must serve most recent tax return on UST and committee within 14 days of order for relief.
GEO may withdraw its consent to service in any individual case, or withdraw the general consent entirely, at any time.
Debtor must serve proof of insurance on UST and committee within 7 days of order for relief.
Proof of conventional service (non-ECF) must be filed by the response date.
If service has not already been accomplished, the Clerk must immediately serve Respondents with the habeas petition and this order by email to USAWAW.ImmigrationHabeasService@usdoj.gov.
Cooperation materials filed under seal must be served on the opposing party via traditional means (not electronically).
Travis County Civil District Courts
View all rules for TX-TRAVIS-CIVIL-DISTRICT-COURTS.Parties applying for ex parte orders must fully advise the opposing party of the relief and hearing sought unless the court waives this notice requirement.
Appendices in administrative appeals must be served on all parties but need not be filed with the Clerk.
A copy of the request to record, broadcast, or photograph must be delivered to the court, Court Administrator, all counsel of record, and all self-represented parties.
The petitioner must serve a copy of the pretrial information form on the Family Court Services Manager fourteen days before the final hearing.
All counsel of record and self-represented parties must be copied on all correspondence with the Court.
Filing a document with the District Clerk does not forward it to the judge; a party who needs the judge to receive a document must provide it directly to the judge rather than simply filing it.
The District Clerk does not forward pleadings to the trial judge, so the filing party must give notice directly to the trial judge when filing any enumerated post-trial pleading.
Each party must deliver the required pre-trial form to the opposing party before the case is called for hearing and to the judge at the time of the hearing.
A party applying for an ex parte order must fully advise the opposing party of the relief and hearing sought, unless the court waives this notice requirement.
Providing a document to a judge does not file it; documents presented to a judge for action (e.g., motions) must first be filed with the District Clerk, then a copy provided to the judge.
When a party is represented under a Notice of Limited Appearance, service on matters outside the limited appearance's scope must be made on the party (not the attorney) at the address listed in the Notice of Limited Appearance.
A copy of an objection to an Associate Judge must be delivered to all parties and to the Court Administrator on the same day the objection is filed with the District Clerk.
Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee
View all rules for TN-DAVIDSON-CIRCUIT.Pretrial motions, except summary judgment motions, must be served on the opposing party with all supporting material at least 14 days before the hearing.
Movant must provide sworn income and expense statement to adverse party by 5:00 p.m. Monday before hearing; non-movant by 12:00 p.m. Thursday before hearing.
I hereby certify that a true and exact copy of the foregoing has been forwarded via U.S. Mail to the (Defendant/Respondent)(Counter-Defendant/Respondent) (opposing party) at (address of opposing attorney or party) on this the _____ day of ________, 20____.
Proposed orders must be served on opposing counsel within 7 calendar days of the court's ruling.
Petitioner must serve all interest-claimants and notify all interested parties, including the respondent, in a conservatorship real property sale.
In an adversary proceeding to sell real property from an insolvent intestate estate, the petitioner must serve all heirs and interest-claimants and notify all interested parties.
Proof of service must be at least 11 days before the final hearing, unless an Agreed Order with court approval allows an earlier date.
Post-hearing briefs must be filed with the Civil Court Clerk, a copy delivered to the Judge, and a copy contemporaneously mailed to opposing counsel or pro se party.
Self-represented litigants and court-appointed fiduciary attorneys are not automatically enrolled for e-service; parties must take special care to ensure effective notice in such cases.
Both parties must bring sworn income and expense statements supporting each party's income, to the Court at the time of the motion hearing.
The Proposed Parenting Plan may be served by mailing it to the adverse party's last known address, and the mailing must be reflected in a certificate of service on the Plan.
King County Superior Court
View all rules for WA-KING-SUPERIOR.Attorneys must promptly register to accept e-service via the Clerk's eFiling application unless a waiver is obtained.
Attorneys must promptly register to accept e-service through the Clerk's eFiling application unless a waiver is obtained.
Attorneys must notify the court and opposing counsel at least 48 hours before the hearing to request a Zoom appearance, absent extenuating circumstances.
Motions to withdraw or substitute counsel filed after the first omnibus must be heard by the Chief Criminal Judge or Chief MRJC Judge with notice to opposing counsel.
DV and SAU bond hearings require six days' notice; other bond hearings may be set in fewer than six days with notice, and the Court will strike hearings set without notice.
Orders are e-signed and e-served electronically, and parties are responsible for signing up for e-service through the Clerk's Office.
Sentencing is continued so defense can file a written motion and declaration to withdraw the plea, served on the plea judge (or sentencing judge if plea judge unavailable/pro tem).
If no email address is available for an attorney or party, that party must give the Court preaddressed, stamped envelopes so signed orders can be sent by mail.
Signed orders are delivered electronically to counsel or parties who have provided email addresses to the Court.
Copies of orders are mailed only when pre-addressed stamped envelopes are provided; otherwise they may be obtained from the Clerk's Office about 5 days after the ruling.
Signed orders are distributed through e-filing to parties who sign up for e-service.
The Court electronically delivers signed orders to counsel/parties who have provided email addresses to the Court.
Superior Court of Delaware, New Castle County
View all rules for DE-NEW-CASTLE-SUPERIOR.Discovery requests and responses, but not the actual production of documents, must be served electronically through LEXIS/NEXIS.
All correspondence with the Court must copy every Delaware attorney of record.
A separate joinder or supporting brief must be served within three business days after service of the motion or opposition.
Demonstratives responding to first-time trial testimony must be provided to the opposing party as early as possible.
When a new party is added, the party adding that party must serve the new party with the Case Management Order at the same time it serves the pleading joining the party.
A separate joinder or supporting brief must be served within three business days after service of the underlying motion or opposition.
A party issuing a subpoena to a nonparty must enclose the stipulation and notify the nonparty that its protections are available.
Specified discovery requests and responses, excluding the actual production of documents, must be served electronically through LEXIS/NEXIS.
Notice should be mailed at least 60 days before the settlement hearing, although a shorter period may be permitted upon application and a showing of good cause.
The notice-delivery requirement may be waived only if the Producing Party gives prior written consent.
In expedited litigation, the plaintiff should serve initial written discovery requests with the complaint or motion to expedite, or as soon as possible thereafter if infeasible, while the defendant should promptly propound any requests.
The parties may serve third-party subpoenas only until the specified deadline.
Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan
View all rules for MI-WAYNE-CIRCUIT.A proof of service must be timely filed or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.
The motion for default judgment must be served at least 7 days before the hearing.
Pro se parties without MiFile email must be served by mail at least 10 days before hearing, with proof of service e-filed at least 7 days prior.
Counsel must accept email service; service is effective upon transmission unless the sender knows the email was not received.
For virtual hearings, documents and exhibits must be submitted to the Court and served on other parties at least 2 days before the hearing.
Every filed motion must be served no later than 7 days before the hearing date pursuant to MCR 2.119(C)(1)(a-b).
Reply briefs must be served at least 3 days before the hearing.
The party serving an order for alternate service must verify the postal address.
A motion must be filed for alternate service or a second summons.
16th Judicial Circuit Court, Kane County
View all rules for IL-KANE-CIRCUIT.Copy of physician/expert fee motion and hearing notice must be served on the physician/expert, except for controlled experts under Supreme Court Rule 213.
Written notice of intent to appear for prove-up must be sent to respondent after default entry, with proof of service filed by prove-up.
Petitioners in judicial review of electoral board decisions must serve written notice of petition filing to the relevant election board within 24 hours of filing.
Personal service of motion hearing notice must be made by 4:00 PM at least 2 court days before hearing.
Email (pro se with designated email) or fax (with consent) notice of motion hearing must be made by 4:00 PM at least 3 court days before hearing.
Summons and complaint must be served by any legally allowed method; Small Claims cases may use certified mail via Circuit Court Clerk.
Writings in support or opposition to a motion must be filed and served on opposing party.
Notice of hearing on final/current account must be given 7 days prior for US residents, 21 days for non-US residents, via Supreme Court Rules 11/12 methods.
In pre-decree cases, parties may not serve discovery requests until they have served the opposing party with a completed Financial Affidavit and corroborating documents.
Rules to Show Cause must be served in accordance with Supreme Court Rules for service of summons.
Non-jurisdiction documents may be e-served via e-file vendor, responsibility on filing party/attorney.
Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
View all rules for OH-SUMMIT-COMMON-PLEAS.At least one week before arbitration, a party offering a repair estimate must give the adverse party notice, a copy of the estimate, and a statement whether repairs were completed fully or partly.
The filer must serve paper copies on all pro se parties who are not registered users of the court’s eFile system.
At least seven calendar days before the sale, the judgment creditor must file with the Clerk a copy of the written notice bearing proof of service.
The Arbitration Clerk must set the hearing date and time and notify the arbitrators.
Documents requesting Clerk service must include separate Instructions for Service identifying each party’s name and address, using “unknown” when an address is unavailable.
The Clerk must serve orders confirming or vacating a sale on the Summit County Sheriff, Civil Division, electronically or by hand delivery.
To offer covered medical or property-damage bills or estimates without further foundational proof, the party must give the adverse party one week's written notice with copies of the bills.
A written praecipe for transcript must be served on the chief court reporter within three days after filing objections, an appeal, contra-objections, or an appeal reply.
Counsel must immediately notify the Arbitration Clerk of any settlement or dismissal.
The Sheriff or designated deputies must make at least three service attempts on each in-county defendant listed in the complaint.
The Court must give notice to all parties when setting post-judgment or post-sentence proceedings.
The state will serve the approved CQE on the petitioner and notify the court that the certificate was issued.
Northern District of Illinois
View all rules for NDIL.Parties in ECF cases who are neither E-Filers nor represented by an E-Filer and who have not consented to electronic service are entitled to paper copies of electronically filed documents, served in accordance with the Federal Rules and local rules.
Parties must serve proposed stipulations and uncontested facts on each other no later than 10 business days before the pretrial order's due date, and confer in good faith no later than 5 business days before the due date.
A certificate or affidavit of service (complying with the local rules) must be included with all electronically filed documents whenever service is made on a party who is not an E-Filer or is represented by an E-Filer.
When counsel is assigned to represent a pro se party and the summons and complaint have not yet been served, an order directing service by the U.S. marshal or other appropriate method must accompany the assignment order.
The party obtaining the expert's signed undertaking must serve it on all other parties within ten days after execution.
Deposition testimony is designated Confidential or Highly Confidential by stating so on the record at the deposition or by written notice to the opposing party, stenographer, and videographer within 14 days after receipt of the transcript.
Parties must exchange settlement letters with opposing counsel prior to the settlement conference.
A claimant seeking payment of registry funds must petition the Court, give notice to the United States attorney, and provide full proof of the right to the funds to obtain an order directing payment.
Harris County District Courts
View all rules for TX-HARRIS-DISTRICT-COURTS.After a hearing date is assigned, the requesting party must file and serve a notice of oral hearing stating the exact title of the motion(s).
For default judgments seeking foreclosure of a lien on real property, notice of the hearing must be sent to the defaulting party (per Rule 21a) and to any mortgage company holding a lien.
Parties must provide page/line for deposition witnesses prior to the docket call, and opposing counsel must promptly advise of objections.
Every pleading filed must be served on the opposing attorney or party.
Default judgment movants must provide 10 days' notice via regular and certified mail and certify service.
Submission docket is Mondays at 8:00 a.m. with ten days notice; file and serve a notice of submission with the exact title of the motion(s).
Notice of oral hearing must be served on all counsel and self-represented parties.
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant must provide proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
Shelby County Circuit Court, Tennessee
View all rules for TN-SHELBY-CIRCUIT.Service copies to all adverse parties must meet the same 45-day or 15-day deadlines applicable to the proponent's or respondent's filings.
An unsigned proposed order must be presented in open court with proper proof of notice to all other counsel and parties.
Every notice must contain the universal Zoom link, and the court may strike motions that fail to comply.
If opposing counsel does not promptly sign and return an order, the preparing party must give notice of the presentation time and place and provide opposing counsel a certificate of service.
If opposing counsel does not return the order, the preparing party must give notice of the presentation time and place and provide opposing counsel a certificate of service.
The order's certificate of service confirms that a copy was mailed postage prepaid to all parties of record or their counsel at the last known address.
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside
View all rules for CA-RIVERSIDE-SUPERIOR.All visual aids intended for use in opening or closing must be shared with the opposing side, with objections handled outside the jury's presence.
Defendant must serve a copy of its affirmative defenses on opposing counsel or the self-represented party at least five days before trial.
Opposition briefs must be served so that opposing counsel receives them by 4:00 p.m., at least 10 days before trial.
A party obtaining an order must promptly serve it on all parties and file a proof of service with the Court.
A request to be excused from an MSC must be served on all parties.
Counsel are encouraged to exchange exhibits electronically in a standardized format.
District of Columbia
View all rules for DDC.Service of pre-initial appearance criminal documents must be in paper form, as provided in FRCP.
Automatic CM/ECF notice satisfies certificate of service requirement for parties receiving electronic notification; separate certificate required for paper copies.
A copy of the complaint must be served on the respondent, who must answer within 30 days of service.
Service in disciplinary proceedings is primarily by mail, alternatively by service on the Clerk.
Service of deposition notice requires 7 days' notice (14 days if deposition is more than 50 miles from D.C.), with computation under FRCP 6.
The Committee must serve its response on the respondent by first class mail, or if that fails, in accordance with LCvR 83.16(a).
Tarrant County Civil District Courts
View all rules for TX-TARRANT-DISTRICT.Unless otherwise agreed or ordered, counsel must make qualifying videotapes and films available and serve page-and-line designations at least 14 days before trial when they were taken 45 or more days before trial; impeachment-only materials are excepted.
Videotaped depositions and other films taken within 45 days of trial must be made available to opposing counsel, with the required designations, sufficiently in advance to permit an objection hearing before trial.
Discovery documents and related materials must be served on all other lead counsel or parties but must not be filed with the clerk absent a special order.
Discovery responses and related material identified as optional must be served but may be filed.
District of New Jersey
View all rules for DNJ.Settlement memoranda must be submitted via email to SDA_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.
Exhibits must be circulated to all attorneys, witnesses, and the Court in advance of hearing or trial.
Parties must provide participant email addresses with role descriptions, including emails for witnesses, experts, and other participants, to the Court.
All litigants must receive a contemporaneous copy of all correspondence sent to the Court.
Exhibits should be circulated to all attorneys, witnesses, and the Court in advance of hearing or trial.
Copies of exhibits must be made for opposing counsel.
Denton County District Courts
View all rules for TX-DENTON-DISTRICT.Opposing counsel must serve the proffering attorney with all objections to the testimony and page-and-line designations for intended trial portions within 10 days after receiving the initial designation.
The identified affidavits must be served on all other lead counsel or parties, and their attachments must be made available at the requesting party's cost.
Each party must provide the listed witness and exhibit materials to the court reporter and serve them on all other parties by 3 p.m. on the day before the pretrial conference.
The moving party must immediately provide written hearing details to all other parties and immediately file a written notice of hearing with the applicable clerk.
After the Coordinator communicates the trial setting to the requesting party, that party must serve the notice on all other parties.
Each party must serve the other party with a sworn inventory describing and valuing all property and debts and proposing their division.
In a default or contested divorce without an Answer or Waiver, the other party must be legally served under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
A person obtaining a final-hearing setting before a district judge must send written notice to all opposing parties within two business days.
The Clerk must send written notice of dismissal for want of prosecution to all parties or their counsel of record, subject to other rules.
The Court may set a dismissal docket, mails the dismissal-setting notice by first-class mail to attorneys of record and self-represented litigants, and also files the notice in the case file.
Multnomah County Circuit Court
View all rules for OR-MULTNOMAH-CIRCUIT.Garnishment writs may be served by the sheriff or a qualifying Oregon resident over 18 (ORS 18.625).
After the court signs the order, the creditor must serve it on the debtor and the movant must file a proof of service (SLR 5.161).
Plaintiff must file proof of service or acceptance of service within 63 days after filing the complaint, or the court will send a 28-day notice of intent to dismiss and may dismiss the case.
A withdrawing attorney must give the opposing side advance notice and must also give their client advance notice of the ex parte appearance.
Responses to pretrial motions must be served on the judge immediately following trial assignment.
All court notices go to the firm's attorney of record (who signed the initial pleading or first appearance); changing attorney of record within a firm requires written notice to the clerk's office but is not a substitution of counsel and requires no court appearance.
After the SOSTD is signed, OECI produces call notices that are emailed to each party's attorney of record and mailed to any unrepresented party.
Fairfax County Circuit Court
View all rules for VA-FAIRFAX-CIRCUIT.Copies of all documents filed must be sent to opposing counsel.
Within 10 days of filing the transcript, written notice of the filing date must be sent to all counsel or parties, and a copy of the notice filed with the trial court.
A Certification of Service by Certified Mail is required when the opposing party or their attorney cannot sign the Order of Payment.
The original notice of appeal is filed in the trial court clerk's office, and a copy must be mailed or delivered to all opposing counsel.
Eastern District of Virginia
View all rules for EDVA.Sealed documents filed in CM/ECF must be served by other means (not through CM/ECF); court serves by mail.
Copies of Transportation Orders must be provided to the U.S. Attorney's Office and counsel of record; may be provided to law enforcement as necessary.
Memorandum containing highly sensitive information may be served on opposing party and delivered in print to the judge, not filed via CM/ECF.
Clerk serves orders by mail and records service in an informational entry.
Court issues order on HSD motion; if granted, docket entry made. Clerk serves paper copies of orders by mail.
Retroactive worksheets are served on counsel of record via sealed ECF.
Superior Court of California, County of Orange
View all rules for CA-ORANGE-SUPERIOR.A party presenting deposition witnesses must provide opposing counsel its written deposition designations on a highlighted hard copy transcript no later than the Issue Conference.
Complaints must be served on all defendants and proofs of service filed within 60 days.
Notice of the ex parte application must be given to all parties by 10 am the court day before the hearing.
Parties must serve the Notice of Withdrawal prior to the hearing.
Notice to opposing parties must be given in accordance with California Rules of Court 3.1200 to 3.1207.
Oklahoma County District Court
View all rules for OK-OKLAHOMA-COUNTY-DISTRICT.A motion must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office and served as required by Local Court Rule 10.
If the defaulting party has filed a document, appeared in open court, or communicated with the requesting party, a hearing must be set and notice must be provided to the defaulting party.
District of Delaware
View all rules for DED.Claim construction briefs are served on opposing counsel but not filed with the court individually.
Claim construction briefs must be served but not filed individually; they are later combined into a joint brief.
Jefferson Circuit Court
View all rules for KY-JEFFERSON-CIRCUIT.El Paso County District Courts
View all rules for TX-EL-PASO-DISTRICT.Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County
View all rules for AZ-MARICOPA-SUPERIOR.Materials submitted to the Division must be provided to the other side unless there is a basis for ex parte review.
Any document filed with the Court must be served on the opposing party or their attorney, with an indication on the pleading that service was made, or the Court will not consider the matter.
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
View all rules for CA-SAN-DIEGO-SUPERIOR.Affidavits for service by publication will be scrutinized for reasonable diligence in attempting service by another manner, per CCP § 415.50(a).
Applications for orders to serve by publication may be submitted without an appearance; supporting affidavits are scrutinized for compliance with CCP 415.50(a).
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
View all rules for EDPA.Parties must submit Rule 26(f) report via email to chambers at least 5 days before scheduling conference if not already on docket.
Counsel must disclose, serve, and maintain copies of all exhibits under the Federal and Local Rules whether or not the exhibits are filed on ECF, and must retain copies after proceedings conclude or the action terminates.
Hidalgo County District Courts
View all rules for TX-HIDALGO-DISTRICT.The Department must provide at least five business days' notice of an elective general-anesthesia medical or dental procedure to the specified parent, Attorney Ad Litem, and Guardian Ad Litem.
The District Clerk must notify each defendant of the arraignment by certified mail with return receipt requested as soon as practicable after the case is set for hearing.
The District Clerk must deliver a copy of every arraignment notice to the District Attorney’s office.
Southern District of Florida
View all rules for SDFL.Eastern District of California
View all rules for EDCA.Counsel must provide opposing counsel with a list of the witnesses they intend to call the next day before the close of each business day.
Exhibits offered into evidence must be handed to opposing counsel at the time of the offer unless a pre-marked copy is already in opposing counsel's possession.
Bexar County Civil District Courts
View all rules for TX-BEXAR-CIVIL-DISTRICT-COURTS.Southern District of California
View all rules for SDCA.Denver District Court
View all rules for CO-DENVER-DISTRICT.Eastern District of Texas
View all rules for EDTX.St. Louis County Circuit Court
View all rules for MO-STLOUIS-COUNTY-CIRCUIT.Western District of Texas
View all rules for WDTX.Related Rule Categories
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.