Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Re: How to serve a defendant with an unknown address (small claims)

What you need to ask for is the authorized agent for the corporation and their address. If that doesn't work, you can file a request for Service by Publication. There is judicial counsel form that is called Application for Service by Publication. Basically, you complete this form and include the declaration from the Sheriff's office regarding their attempts and a declaration by yourself that you have been unable to serve them by any other means. You then submit this information to the court and they will decide on it. If it is granted, you can then serve the defendant by publication. Good luck.

John Hayes, Esq.

Re: How to serve a defendant with an unknown address (small claims)

Every corporation has to list a specific person who is an agent for service of process. You can get this information from the Secretary of State. Find out who the person is and then you can serve that person.