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:
SC-104C How to Serve a Business or Public Entity
(Small Claims)
To serve a business, see page 1.
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 2 of 2
Revised July 1, 2017
?
You must serve the right person and write the exact name of the public agency 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.
Federal AgencyState of California,
State Agency
City, County, or Public Entity
Note:
Before you sue, you must first file a claim with the state or
the state agency. To file a claim, see:
www.dgs.ca.gov/orim/Programs/
GovernmentClaims.aspx or call: 1-800-955-0045
Important!
Before you sue, you must first file a claim with the public
entity. Contact it and ask for the claim procedures.
• Name of the agency you are suing
• Name of agent for service
• Name of city, county, or public entity
• Name of city clerk, county clerk, chief officer, or agent for
service and job title
Write on your
Proof of
Service form:
Call the agency to confirm the name and address for
service. Use the State Directory:
1-800-807-6755
Or search: cold.ca.gov under "agency information"
Call the city or county clerk. See the government pages of
your phone book.
Or search under the California Roster at the California
Secretary of State website:
www.sos.ca.gov/administration/california-roster/
Check that you
have the exact
names of the
owner and
business with:
You cannot sue a federal agency
in small claims court.
Use this general address for service:
Office of the Attorney General
1300 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Exception: if your claim involves California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), serve it at:
California Department of Transportation
1120 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
City or county clerk, chief officer or director of public agency,
or agent authorized to accept service
Serve:
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