SC-104C How to Serve a Business or Public Entity
(Small Claims)
To serve a public entity, see page 2.
You must serve the right person and write the exact name of the business and the person to be served.
Use this form to make sure you serve correctly, and follow the instructions on Proof of Service, form SC-104.
How to Serve a Business or Public Entity
(Small Claims)
Need help?
For free help, contact your county’s Small Claims Advisor:
[space for local info here]
Or, go to "County-Specific Court Information" at: www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims
SC-104C, Page 1 of 2
Judicial Council of California, www.courts.ca.gov
Revised July 1, 2017
?
Unknown
Business Type
Limited Liability Company (LLC),
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP),
Limited Partnership (LP)
Corporation,
Association
LandlordPartnershipSole
Proprietorship
(Only 1 owner)
Business Type:
• Business name,
form unknown
• Owner's name
and job title (if
you know it)
• Company or partnership name
• Name of agent or partner for
service and job title
• Corporation name
• Name of corporate officer
or agent for service and job
title
• Business name (if
there is one)
• Owner's name
and job title
• Partnership name
• Name of partner,
general manager, or
agent for service and
job title
• Business name
• Owner's name and
job title
Write on your
Proof of
Service form:
Try the other
resources listed on
this page to see if
they know more
about the
business's
organization type,
like corporation or
sole proprietorship.
Search under Corporation, LP and LLC at the California Secretary
of State website: businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/
Or call:1-916-657-5448
OR
County Clerk–Recorder's Office: (Ask to see the fictitious business
name statement.) Your county's website may have this information.
OR
City Clerk's Office: (Ask to see the business license.) Your city's
website may have this information.
County Tax Collector• County Clerk–Recorder's or County Tax
Assessor's Office (Ask to see the fictitious
business name statement.) Your county's
Web site may have this information.
Check: www.csac.counties.org.
• City Clerk's Office (Ask to see the
business license.) Your city's website may
have this information.
Check that you
have the exact
names of the
owner and
business with:
Someone who
seems to be in
charge of the
business during
normal business
hours
Agent for service listed with
Secretary of State
To serve a limited partnership, you
can also serve the general partner.
Agent for service listed with
Secretary of State or any
corporate officer (president,
vice-president, secretary,
treasurer), chief executive
officer (CEO), controller, chief
financial officer, or general
manager
The property owner or
manager (Read Civil
Code sections 1962–
1962.7.)
If you are suing a
partnership, serve one
of the partners.
If you are suing a
partnership and the
partners, serve each
partner.
The ownerServe: