TERMS & CONDITIONS
These are the terms and conditions for all services provided by Sure Serve Process Servers, hereafter referred to as SSPS. "You" or "your" refers to the service requester. For these terms, the service requester and their representative, agent, or employee are considered the same. The invoice and payment link are also considered the same.
By submitting payment to SSPS, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions. "Business days" refer to Monday through Friday, excluding federal and California state holidays. All time references are in Pacific Standard Time.
These terms and conditions apply to all services provided by Sure Serve Process Servers ("SSPS").
Definitions and Payment Responsibility:
"You" or "your" refers to the service requester, including any law firm, its employees, or agents submitting a request on behalf of their client. If a law firm submits a service request but the client will be making payment directly, the client must submit their own email address and expressly agree to the terms and conditions. This ensures proper billing and a record of the client's acknowledgment.
Payment in full is required before any service will be performed. If a law firm or its employees submit the request and the client fails to complete the required form or make payment directly, no service will be initiated, and the law firm remains responsible for ensuring payment is made in advance.
If you do not receive an emailed invoice after placing an order, check your inbox and spam folder. If not found, contact us at 916-996-4363 or by email ([email protected]) to have it re-sent via email or fax (916-942-9697).
All services are attempted without any guarantee, express or implied. No refunds or credits will be issued for unsuccessful service attempts due to factors beyond SSPS’s control.
Notice Regarding Submission Methods:
To ensure accuracy and proper processing, SSPS strongly recommends that all service requests be submitted using the detailed order form available at sureservesac.com.
If you choose to submit your service request by any method other than the official order form—including but not limited to the Order Form Bypass, email, fax, mail, or overnight delivery—you expressly acknowledge and agree that SSPS is not liable for any errors, including but not limited to an incorrect service address, service of process issues, court filing errors, or any deficiencies in the requested service.
By bypassing the official order form, you further agree that it is your sole responsibility to include all required information, such as the correct service address, complete case details, and a clear description of the service requested, along with your document submission.
Billing Responsibility Notice:
Invoices are issued to the email address provided on the Service Request Form or included in the email submission. If your client will be making payment directly, they must complete and submit the Service Request Form themselves using their own email address, and expressly agree to the terms and conditions. This is required to ensure we have their acknowledgment on record for billing, authorization, and compliance purposes.
If your office submits the service request—whether through the online order form or by email—your office assumes full financial responsibility for all charges associated with the service request. Do not share the payment link with your client.
If your client submits payment without first completing the Service Request Form with their own email address and agreement to the terms, and later disputes the charge, your office remains liable for the full payment amount, as well as any applicable late fees, and all collection costs, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
Quotes and Final Pricing:
All pricing provided by SSPS is preliminary and subject to verification of service details, including but not limited to address type, number of parties, document volume, deadlines, and any special handling requirements. Pricing is not final or binding until a formal invoice or payment link is issued by SSPS.
The only binding quote is the one expressly stated in the official invoice or payment link. SSPS reserves the right to modify any preliminary quote based on updated or clarified information provided during the verification process.
A payment link or invoice will be issued only after SSPS has received the documents required for service. If incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information is submitted prior to invoice preparation, the corrected details will be reflected in the final rate provided. Rates are based on the actual service requirements as determined from the submitted documents and verified information.
Final pricing is determined based on actual service requirements, which may include factors such as service location, urgency, document volume, and current staffing levels at the time the request is received.
Rates & Payments:
Service of process rates are per proof of service and non-negotiable. Rates vary based on multiple factors, some beyond SSPS’s control. Each payment link includes an expiration date/time; if unpaid by then, both the service request and invoice are canceled without notice. If a request or invoice is canceled by either party, new rates may be higher.
Cutoff times for same-day, expedited, or rush service depend on external factors such as weather, traffic, or road closures. See “Cutoff Times for Special Handling Requests”
Rates are locked only when both documents and full payment are received—unless SSPS made a billing error or the requester changes the service request before or after payment. In such cases, SSPS may cancel and refund the original invoice and issue a new one reflecting updated rates.
Providing incomplete or inaccurate information—intentionally or not—may lead to increased charges or rejection/cancelation of the service request.
REFUNDS:
No refunds are issued once an invoice is paid (see Cancellations). SSPS does not guarantee service completion—only that diligent, good-faith efforts/attempts will be made. SSPS guarantees submitted documents will be presented unaltered to courts, agencies, or parties as provided.
No refunds are allowed once action has been taken, including but not limited to: dispatching documents for service or filing, or sending representatives into the field. This applies to all services, including Rush, Scheduled, and Expedited Service Fees, and any fronted costs (e.g., witness/material fees, Secretary of State fees). See Cancellations for exceptions before action begins.
"A $20 administrative fee and applicable document preparation charges may be withheld from any refund if cancellation occurs after payment but before service is rendered. In addition, if any documents have been prepared/printed, a paper/toner surcharge of $0.25 per page will be applied for documents containing more than 5 pages (no surcharge applies for 5 pages or fewer). The remaining balance will be refunded.
CANCELLATIONS:
If an invoice is paid but no service has been attempted, a $20 administrative fee may apply, plus a paper/toner surcharge for documents over 25 pages. The balance will be refunded.
Cancellations must be submitted via email to [email protected] and are only effective once confirmed in writing by SSPS.
Cancellations for stakeouts must be made at least 6 hours before the scheduled start time. If canceled in time, a $140 fee applies. Cancellations made less than 6 hours before start time forfeit the full two-hour minimum fee.
COURT APPEARANCES:
If SSPS personnel (employee, agent, or subcontractor) are requested to appear in court, a two-hour minimum fee applies and must be paid in advance. Time beyond the initial two hours is billed in full one-hour increments; partial hours are rounded up. Appearance time is consecutive and cannot be split.
Additional hours must be paid on-site via credit/debit card (magstripe reader) or PayPal. If payment cannot be made, SSPS has no obligation to remain in court.
FEES:
All services require prepayment. No service will be attempted without full payment. Accepted payment methods: credit/debit card or cash are the only payment methods accepted.
DOCUMENTS FOR SERVICE OR FILING:
SSPS does not alter court-generated documents or documents that have already been filed with the court. All documents faxed to SSPS will be served or filed exactly as received, including any visible fax numbers. To conceal your fax number, dial *67 before sending.
Requests to alter non-court-generated documents—including drafts or materials not yet filed with the court—must be submitted in writing by the party who originally requested service.
Documents submitted electronically are subject to a toner/paper surcharge after 25 pages per document. Documents exceeding 40 pages are treated as print jobs and charged per page beginning at the 26th page.
If color copies are required, the entire document will be charged at a higher per-page color rate starting from the first page.
Discounted service rates still incur applicable toner/paper or color copy fees.
For court filings, if the court requires multiple copies and documents are submitted electronically, per-page fees apply to each copy.
COURT FILING:
For electronic court filings, documents must include "FILE BY FAX" on each signature page. If SSPS is asked to add this, a fee will apply based on total page count.
PROOF OF SERVICE DELIVERY:
Proof of service is sent by email, fax, or USPS within 10 business days (excluding SSPS-observed holidays) after service is completed.
When proof is sent by email, the recipient must reply confirming that:
SSPS will not issue a reminder of any kind (including email, phone call, text message, or otherwise) to confirm receipt, review, or delivery of any proof of service.
Requests to resend proof of service 30 or more days after the date SSPS initially sent the proof of service, regardless of delivery method, will incur a $35 administrative fee. SSPS is not liable for postal delays.
When We’ll Begin Attempting Service Based on the Priority Level You Choose:
ROUTINE SERVICE:
First attempt will be made within 5 to 7 business days after both documents and payment are received. Submissions received after 4:30 PM PST on weekdays, or anytime on weekends or holidays, are considered received the next business day.
RUSH SERVICE:
Rush service incurs an additional fee and is attempted within 1 to 3 business days after both documents and payment are received. Rates vary based on staffing and are added to the standard service fee. Submissions after 4:30 PM PST (Mon–Fri), on weekends, or on California/federal holidays are considered received the next business day.
SAME DAY SERVICE:
Same-day service will be attempted within 1–2 hours of receiving payment and all required documents, or at a specific time you request, all within the same calendar day. For service at businesses or agencies, payment and documents must be received at least 2 hours before closing. If the documents exceed 80 pages and only one party is being served, payment and documents must be received at least 3 hours before closing.
If multiple parties are being served the same documents, additional time is required to accommodate printing and preparation. In such cases, the cutoff time will be determined based on the number of parties and volume of documents, and must be coordinated in advance with SSPS. Submissions received after the applicable cutoff may be downgraded to a lower service level or canceled at SSPS’s sole discretion.
Cutoff Times for Special Handling Requests:
Cutoff times for services requiring special handling—including but not limited to same-day, expedited, or rush service—are subject to change and depend on multiple factors, including staffing levels, weather conditions, traffic, and road closures. Availability of special handling is not guaranteed and is determined at the time the request and documents are received.
SURCHARGES:
Any mandatory third-party costs advanced by SSPS on behalf of the client—such as court filing fees, levies, subpoenas, postage over 1 oz., FedEx, or notary services—are subject to a 12% administrative surcharge.
NON-RESPONSIVENESS:
If the service requester fails to respond in a timely manner to communications from SSPS—including but not limited to emails, phone calls, or other messages—and such communication is necessary to complete service, the service shall be deemed closed and complete, with no further attempts made. This includes circumstances where voicemail is full, non-existent, or not properly set up.
If SSPS requests corrections, additional information, or clarification needed to proceed with service, and the requester fails to provide the required response within five (5) calendar days from the date of the initial request, the service shall be deemed closed and complete, with no further action taken.
No refunds, credits, or resubmissions will be issued for services deemed closed due to non-responsiveness.
PROOF OF SERVICE:
Proof of service is included only with full-price service. For any services performed at a discounted rate, the preparation of the proof of service is not included and is the sole responsibility of the service requester.
SSPS does not review, edit, proofread, verify, or provide any feedback on proofs of service that are prepared by the requester or by any third party. The requester assumes full legal responsibility for the form, content, and validity of any such document.
The requester is strictly prohibited from signing the name of any SSPS process server or otherwise executing a declaration, affidavit, or proof of service on their behalf. No express, implied, or incidental authorization is granted for this purpose. Any such act constitutes a misrepresentation and may be unlawful.
SSPS assumes responsibility for the accuracy and proper execution of a proof of service only when the document is prepared directly by SSPS as part of a full-price service. In all other cases, SSPS expressly disclaims any and all liability related to the proof of service.
DOCUMENT RETENTION:
If documents are submitted without payment, whether by email, fax, or other means, SSPS may, at its sole discretion, delete or destroy such documents after two (2) business days.
No Legal Advice / Requester Responsibility:
SSPS and its agents do not provide legal advice under any circumstances and are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or legal effect of any documents submitted for service.
The requester assumes full responsibility and liability for:
Access and Inaccessible Addresses:
SSPS is not responsible for service failures due to inaccessible addresses, including but not limited to:
Service Attempts and Additional Charges:
For services performed at commercial and residential addresses, one (1) initial attempt at service is included in the quoted rate. An attempt is considered valid if the server travels to the service address with the intent to serve, regardless of whether physical access to the front door or premises is gained. Valid attempts include, but are not limited to, situations where:
If an address provided by the requester is determined to be invalid, incorrect, or non-existent, SSPS will immediately discontinue all further service attempts at that location. The service request will be marked as unsuccessful due to bad address, and no additional attempts will be made unless a new, verified address is submitted along with payment for a new service request.
COURT/TRIP FEES:
If filings or deliveries are rejected, additional trips will be charged at full rates and must be paid before further attempts. Failure to pay ends SSPS’s obligation without liability; documents will not be returned at SSPS’s expense.
SERVICE ATTEMPTS:
Service fees include 1 attempt per person, company or entity at a single residential or commercial address.
Additional attempts at commercial & residential addresses require advance payment and are billed at rates subject to change at SSPS’s sole discretion.
RE-SERVICE:
Re-Service Due to Requester Error
Rates for re-service are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time without notice. Each re-service request is treated in all respects as a new and independent service request, subject to the then-current terms, conditions, requirements, and rate structures in effect at the time the re-service is requested.
Unless revised or updated in the interim, the terms and conditions applicable to the original request will also apply to any re-service request. However, if SSPS has updated or amended its terms and conditions between the time of the original request and the request for re-service, the most recent version shall govern the re-service in full.
All pricing—including but not limited to standard, rush, same-day, and re-service fees—is determined at the time of the request and may vary based on location, service type, timing, urgency, and other operational factors.
SSPS reserves the sole and absolute right to modify its rates and terms at any time. No prior rate, estimate, invoice, or quote shall be deemed binding for any future or subsequent service request, including re-service.
FORCE MAJEURE:
Refunds of Mandatory Third-Party Fees
Only mandatory third-party fees advanced by SSPS on behalf of the requester—such as court filing fees, notary fees, or other required government or institutional charges—are eligible for refund. These fees are refundable only if they were not tendered to the third party due to either (a) rejection by the third party, or (b) cancellation by the requester before the fees were tendered.
Examples include but are not limited to:
All such refunds apply only to the unused portion of the mandatory fee.
Service fees, administrative surcharges, and labor costs are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of service or filing. No refunds will be issued for incomplete service, lack of proof of service, or unsuccessful attempts. Refunds, when applicable, will be issued at SSPS’s sole discretion and only after confirmation that the third-party fee was not applied.
DISPUTES & PAYMENT:
If a payment made to SSPS by credit card, debit card, or other electronic means is disputed or subjected to a chargeback--regardless of whether the dispute is initiated by the service requester or the cardholder—the service requester remains fully responsible for the original payment amount.
In such cases, the service requester shall be liable for a $40.00 chargeback processing fee and must remit a valid replacement payment covering both the original amount and the chargeback fee within two (2) calendar days of receiving notice from SSPS.
Notification of any chargeback will be made exclusively by email to the address provided by the service requester.
Failure to resolve the outstanding balance within this time frame will result in collection activity, civil legal proceedings, and the recovery of all associated costs, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, court fees, and administrative expenses. SSPS also reserves the right to report suspected fraudulent disputes to the issuing financial institution and, where applicable, to law enforcement authorities.
ENFORCEMENT & RIGHTS:
SSPS may enforce terms fully or partially without voiding any part of this agreement. Allowances do not waive SSPS’s rights. SSPS may refuse or cancel any service request at any time without explanation.
GOVERNING LAW:
Any disputes will be resolved in Sacramento County Superior Court. The losing party pays all legal costs.
CHANGES TO TERMS:
SSPS reserves the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time, without notice of any kind, whether prior or subsequent.
The version of the Terms and Conditions in effect at the time of payment and submission of a service request will apply.
By submitting a request and/or making payment, the requester acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the then-current Terms and Conditions, as published on SSPS’s website or provided in writing.
The most current version of these Terms is available at www.sacramento-processservers.com/terms--conditions, and the effective date of the current version is listed below.
Effective Date of Current Version: July 16, 2025
To ensure transparency, SSPS encourages all requesters to review the most recent version prior to submitting a request or remitting payment. Continued use of SSPS’s services constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.
By submitting payment to SSPS, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions. "Business days" refer to Monday through Friday, excluding federal and California state holidays. All time references are in Pacific Standard Time.
These terms and conditions apply to all services provided by Sure Serve Process Servers ("SSPS").
Definitions and Payment Responsibility:
"You" or "your" refers to the service requester, including any law firm, its employees, or agents submitting a request on behalf of their client. If a law firm submits a service request but the client will be making payment directly, the client must submit their own email address and expressly agree to the terms and conditions. This ensures proper billing and a record of the client's acknowledgment.
Payment in full is required before any service will be performed. If a law firm or its employees submit the request and the client fails to complete the required form or make payment directly, no service will be initiated, and the law firm remains responsible for ensuring payment is made in advance.
If you do not receive an emailed invoice after placing an order, check your inbox and spam folder. If not found, contact us at 916-996-4363 or by email ([email protected]) to have it re-sent via email or fax (916-942-9697).
All services are attempted without any guarantee, express or implied. No refunds or credits will be issued for unsuccessful service attempts due to factors beyond SSPS’s control.
Notice Regarding Submission Methods:
To ensure accuracy and proper processing, SSPS strongly recommends that all service requests be submitted using the detailed order form available at sureservesac.com.
If you choose to submit your service request by any method other than the official order form—including but not limited to the Order Form Bypass, email, fax, mail, or overnight delivery—you expressly acknowledge and agree that SSPS is not liable for any errors, including but not limited to an incorrect service address, service of process issues, court filing errors, or any deficiencies in the requested service.
By bypassing the official order form, you further agree that it is your sole responsibility to include all required information, such as the correct service address, complete case details, and a clear description of the service requested, along with your document submission.
Billing Responsibility Notice:
Invoices are issued to the email address provided on the Service Request Form or included in the email submission. If your client will be making payment directly, they must complete and submit the Service Request Form themselves using their own email address, and expressly agree to the terms and conditions. This is required to ensure we have their acknowledgment on record for billing, authorization, and compliance purposes.
If your office submits the service request—whether through the online order form or by email—your office assumes full financial responsibility for all charges associated with the service request. Do not share the payment link with your client.
If your client submits payment without first completing the Service Request Form with their own email address and agreement to the terms, and later disputes the charge, your office remains liable for the full payment amount, as well as any applicable late fees, and all collection costs, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
Quotes and Final Pricing:
All pricing provided by SSPS is preliminary and subject to verification of service details, including but not limited to address type, number of parties, document volume, deadlines, and any special handling requirements. Pricing is not final or binding until a formal invoice or payment link is issued by SSPS.
The only binding quote is the one expressly stated in the official invoice or payment link. SSPS reserves the right to modify any preliminary quote based on updated or clarified information provided during the verification process.
A payment link or invoice will be issued only after SSPS has received the documents required for service. If incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information is submitted prior to invoice preparation, the corrected details will be reflected in the final rate provided. Rates are based on the actual service requirements as determined from the submitted documents and verified information.
Final pricing is determined based on actual service requirements, which may include factors such as service location, urgency, document volume, and current staffing levels at the time the request is received.
Rates & Payments:
Service of process rates are per proof of service and non-negotiable. Rates vary based on multiple factors, some beyond SSPS’s control. Each payment link includes an expiration date/time; if unpaid by then, both the service request and invoice are canceled without notice. If a request or invoice is canceled by either party, new rates may be higher.
Cutoff times for same-day, expedited, or rush service depend on external factors such as weather, traffic, or road closures. See “Cutoff Times for Special Handling Requests”
Rates are locked only when both documents and full payment are received—unless SSPS made a billing error or the requester changes the service request before or after payment. In such cases, SSPS may cancel and refund the original invoice and issue a new one reflecting updated rates.
Providing incomplete or inaccurate information—intentionally or not—may lead to increased charges or rejection/cancelation of the service request.
REFUNDS:
No refunds are issued once an invoice is paid (see Cancellations). SSPS does not guarantee service completion—only that diligent, good-faith efforts/attempts will be made. SSPS guarantees submitted documents will be presented unaltered to courts, agencies, or parties as provided.
No refunds are allowed once action has been taken, including but not limited to: dispatching documents for service or filing, or sending representatives into the field. This applies to all services, including Rush, Scheduled, and Expedited Service Fees, and any fronted costs (e.g., witness/material fees, Secretary of State fees). See Cancellations for exceptions before action begins.
"A $20 administrative fee and applicable document preparation charges may be withheld from any refund if cancellation occurs after payment but before service is rendered. In addition, if any documents have been prepared/printed, a paper/toner surcharge of $0.25 per page will be applied for documents containing more than 5 pages (no surcharge applies for 5 pages or fewer). The remaining balance will be refunded.
CANCELLATIONS:
If an invoice is paid but no service has been attempted, a $20 administrative fee may apply, plus a paper/toner surcharge for documents over 25 pages. The balance will be refunded.
Cancellations must be submitted via email to [email protected] and are only effective once confirmed in writing by SSPS.
Cancellations for stakeouts must be made at least 6 hours before the scheduled start time. If canceled in time, a $140 fee applies. Cancellations made less than 6 hours before start time forfeit the full two-hour minimum fee.
COURT APPEARANCES:
If SSPS personnel (employee, agent, or subcontractor) are requested to appear in court, a two-hour minimum fee applies and must be paid in advance. Time beyond the initial two hours is billed in full one-hour increments; partial hours are rounded up. Appearance time is consecutive and cannot be split.
Additional hours must be paid on-site via credit/debit card (magstripe reader) or PayPal. If payment cannot be made, SSPS has no obligation to remain in court.
FEES:
All services require prepayment. No service will be attempted without full payment. Accepted payment methods: credit/debit card or cash are the only payment methods accepted.
DOCUMENTS FOR SERVICE OR FILING:
SSPS does not alter court-generated documents or documents that have already been filed with the court. All documents faxed to SSPS will be served or filed exactly as received, including any visible fax numbers. To conceal your fax number, dial *67 before sending.
Requests to alter non-court-generated documents—including drafts or materials not yet filed with the court—must be submitted in writing by the party who originally requested service.
Documents submitted electronically are subject to a toner/paper surcharge after 25 pages per document. Documents exceeding 40 pages are treated as print jobs and charged per page beginning at the 26th page.
If color copies are required, the entire document will be charged at a higher per-page color rate starting from the first page.
Discounted service rates still incur applicable toner/paper or color copy fees.
For court filings, if the court requires multiple copies and documents are submitted electronically, per-page fees apply to each copy.
COURT FILING:
For electronic court filings, documents must include "FILE BY FAX" on each signature page. If SSPS is asked to add this, a fee will apply based on total page count.
PROOF OF SERVICE DELIVERY:
Proof of service is sent by email, fax, or USPS within 10 business days (excluding SSPS-observed holidays) after service is completed.
When proof is sent by email, the recipient must reply confirming that:
- The email was received, and
- The attached PDF of the proof of service was successfully opened and reviewed.
SSPS will not issue a reminder of any kind (including email, phone call, text message, or otherwise) to confirm receipt, review, or delivery of any proof of service.
Requests to resend proof of service 30 or more days after the date SSPS initially sent the proof of service, regardless of delivery method, will incur a $35 administrative fee. SSPS is not liable for postal delays.
When We’ll Begin Attempting Service Based on the Priority Level You Choose:
ROUTINE SERVICE:
First attempt will be made within 5 to 7 business days after both documents and payment are received. Submissions received after 4:30 PM PST on weekdays, or anytime on weekends or holidays, are considered received the next business day.
RUSH SERVICE:
Rush service incurs an additional fee and is attempted within 1 to 3 business days after both documents and payment are received. Rates vary based on staffing and are added to the standard service fee. Submissions after 4:30 PM PST (Mon–Fri), on weekends, or on California/federal holidays are considered received the next business day.
SAME DAY SERVICE:
Same-day service will be attempted within 1–2 hours of receiving payment and all required documents, or at a specific time you request, all within the same calendar day. For service at businesses or agencies, payment and documents must be received at least 2 hours before closing. If the documents exceed 80 pages and only one party is being served, payment and documents must be received at least 3 hours before closing.
If multiple parties are being served the same documents, additional time is required to accommodate printing and preparation. In such cases, the cutoff time will be determined based on the number of parties and volume of documents, and must be coordinated in advance with SSPS. Submissions received after the applicable cutoff may be downgraded to a lower service level or canceled at SSPS’s sole discretion.
Cutoff Times for Special Handling Requests:
Cutoff times for services requiring special handling—including but not limited to same-day, expedited, or rush service—are subject to change and depend on multiple factors, including staffing levels, weather conditions, traffic, and road closures. Availability of special handling is not guaranteed and is determined at the time the request and documents are received.
SURCHARGES:
Any mandatory third-party costs advanced by SSPS on behalf of the client—such as court filing fees, levies, subpoenas, postage over 1 oz., FedEx, or notary services—are subject to a 12% administrative surcharge.
NON-RESPONSIVENESS:
If the service requester fails to respond in a timely manner to communications from SSPS—including but not limited to emails, phone calls, or other messages—and such communication is necessary to complete service, the service shall be deemed closed and complete, with no further attempts made. This includes circumstances where voicemail is full, non-existent, or not properly set up.
If SSPS requests corrections, additional information, or clarification needed to proceed with service, and the requester fails to provide the required response within five (5) calendar days from the date of the initial request, the service shall be deemed closed and complete, with no further action taken.
No refunds, credits, or resubmissions will be issued for services deemed closed due to non-responsiveness.
PROOF OF SERVICE:
Proof of service is included only with full-price service. For any services performed at a discounted rate, the preparation of the proof of service is not included and is the sole responsibility of the service requester.
SSPS does not review, edit, proofread, verify, or provide any feedback on proofs of service that are prepared by the requester or by any third party. The requester assumes full legal responsibility for the form, content, and validity of any such document.
The requester is strictly prohibited from signing the name of any SSPS process server or otherwise executing a declaration, affidavit, or proof of service on their behalf. No express, implied, or incidental authorization is granted for this purpose. Any such act constitutes a misrepresentation and may be unlawful.
SSPS assumes responsibility for the accuracy and proper execution of a proof of service only when the document is prepared directly by SSPS as part of a full-price service. In all other cases, SSPS expressly disclaims any and all liability related to the proof of service.
DOCUMENT RETENTION:
If documents are submitted without payment, whether by email, fax, or other means, SSPS may, at its sole discretion, delete or destroy such documents after two (2) business days.
- Emailed documents will be permanently deleted and not retained.
- Faxed documents will be physically destroyed and will not be returned digitally or by any other method.
- Mailed or hand-delivered documents will also be destroyed after the holding period.
No Legal Advice / Requester Responsibility:
SSPS and its agents do not provide legal advice under any circumstances and are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or legal effect of any documents submitted for service.
The requester assumes full responsibility and liability for:
- The content and accuracy of all documents;
- Correct names and addresses of parties to be served;
- Any errors, omissions, or missing information; and
- The legal appropriateness of the documents for service.
Access and Inaccessible Addresses:
SSPS is not responsible for service failures due to inaccessible addresses, including but not limited to:
- Gated communities where the requester fails to provide necessary entry codes;
- Locked fences or gates restricting access to the home;
- Unleashed or unrestrained dogs present in the yard or along the path to the door;
- Incorrect or unknown parties at the address.
Service Attempts and Additional Charges:
For services performed at commercial and residential addresses, one (1) initial attempt at service is included in the quoted rate. An attempt is considered valid if the server travels to the service address with the intent to serve, regardless of whether physical access to the front door or premises is gained. Valid attempts include, but are not limited to, situations where:
- The party to be served is not present at the service address at the time of service.
- Access to the front door is blocked or restricted due to locked fences/gates, lack of entry codes, or similar conditions.
- Loose dogs or any other visibly or audibly dangerous conditions are present on the premises that prevent the server from safely accessing the property.
If an address provided by the requester is determined to be invalid, incorrect, or non-existent, SSPS will immediately discontinue all further service attempts at that location. The service request will be marked as unsuccessful due to bad address, and no additional attempts will be made unless a new, verified address is submitted along with payment for a new service request.
COURT/TRIP FEES:
If filings or deliveries are rejected, additional trips will be charged at full rates and must be paid before further attempts. Failure to pay ends SSPS’s obligation without liability; documents will not be returned at SSPS’s expense.
SERVICE ATTEMPTS:
Service fees include 1 attempt per person, company or entity at a single residential or commercial address.
Additional attempts at commercial & residential addresses require advance payment and are billed at rates subject to change at SSPS’s sole discretion.
RE-SERVICE:
Re-Service Due to Requester Error
Rates for re-service are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time without notice. Each re-service request is treated in all respects as a new and independent service request, subject to the then-current terms, conditions, requirements, and rate structures in effect at the time the re-service is requested.
Unless revised or updated in the interim, the terms and conditions applicable to the original request will also apply to any re-service request. However, if SSPS has updated or amended its terms and conditions between the time of the original request and the request for re-service, the most recent version shall govern the re-service in full.
All pricing—including but not limited to standard, rush, same-day, and re-service fees—is determined at the time of the request and may vary based on location, service type, timing, urgency, and other operational factors.
SSPS reserves the sole and absolute right to modify its rates and terms at any time. No prior rate, estimate, invoice, or quote shall be deemed binding for any future or subsequent service request, including re-service.
FORCE MAJEURE:
Refunds of Mandatory Third-Party Fees
Only mandatory third-party fees advanced by SSPS on behalf of the requester—such as court filing fees, notary fees, or other required government or institutional charges—are eligible for refund. These fees are refundable only if they were not tendered to the third party due to either (a) rejection by the third party, or (b) cancellation by the requester before the fees were tendered.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Court filing fees, if the court rejects the documents at the point of filing;
- Notary fees, if notarization was not performed.
All such refunds apply only to the unused portion of the mandatory fee.
Service fees, administrative surcharges, and labor costs are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of service or filing. No refunds will be issued for incomplete service, lack of proof of service, or unsuccessful attempts. Refunds, when applicable, will be issued at SSPS’s sole discretion and only after confirmation that the third-party fee was not applied.
DISPUTES & PAYMENT:
If a payment made to SSPS by credit card, debit card, or other electronic means is disputed or subjected to a chargeback--regardless of whether the dispute is initiated by the service requester or the cardholder—the service requester remains fully responsible for the original payment amount.
In such cases, the service requester shall be liable for a $40.00 chargeback processing fee and must remit a valid replacement payment covering both the original amount and the chargeback fee within two (2) calendar days of receiving notice from SSPS.
Notification of any chargeback will be made exclusively by email to the address provided by the service requester.
Failure to resolve the outstanding balance within this time frame will result in collection activity, civil legal proceedings, and the recovery of all associated costs, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, court fees, and administrative expenses. SSPS also reserves the right to report suspected fraudulent disputes to the issuing financial institution and, where applicable, to law enforcement authorities.
ENFORCEMENT & RIGHTS:
SSPS may enforce terms fully or partially without voiding any part of this agreement. Allowances do not waive SSPS’s rights. SSPS may refuse or cancel any service request at any time without explanation.
GOVERNING LAW:
Any disputes will be resolved in Sacramento County Superior Court. The losing party pays all legal costs.
CHANGES TO TERMS:
SSPS reserves the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time, without notice of any kind, whether prior or subsequent.
The version of the Terms and Conditions in effect at the time of payment and submission of a service request will apply.
By submitting a request and/or making payment, the requester acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the then-current Terms and Conditions, as published on SSPS’s website or provided in writing.
The most current version of these Terms is available at www.sacramento-processservers.com/terms--conditions, and the effective date of the current version is listed below.
Effective Date of Current Version: July 16, 2025
To ensure transparency, SSPS encourages all requesters to review the most recent version prior to submitting a request or remitting payment. Continued use of SSPS’s services constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.