How to Become a California Registered Process Server  

• Obtain a $2000.00 Process Server Bond from a bonding company.

    The bond should be for 2 years and cover the term of the registration.  A bond can range from $49.00 to $175.00. Contact Process Server Institute for a bond application to send to a bonding company. 

• Fingerprinting must be done using Live Scan. 

    All County Clerks must accept “Live Scan”, an electronic fingerprinting procedure that scans the prints and transmits them electronically. They are no longer permitted to accept fingerprint cards. Fees range from free to over $40.00. The DOJ has posted on their web site locations, hours and prices where Live Scan Applicants may have this done.  You may find that page here: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm.

    The fingerprints are needed to conduct felony background checks through the State of California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The “Fingerprint Processing Fee” for the background check is $56.00 and is occasionally bundled into the fee paid to the County Clerk.

Note: If you have been convicted of a felony, you must first obtain a Certificate of Rehabilitation or Pardon. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has posted a description of the process entitled "How to Apply for a Pardon"  describing this process.  Copy and save this because they move the link occasionally.

Eugene Kinsey, Esq. of Seal Beach, CA has posted an excellent article describing the certification process entitled Free Forms to Clear (Expunge) a Criminal Record in California.

• Obtain two “passport style” photos.

    Most Mailboxes Etc./UPS Stores, drug stores or photography studios can do this for about $10.00.  Some County Clerks take the picture in the office as a part of the registration process. One photo will be used for the temporary registration Card.  The second picture is used for the permanent card when the results of the background check are completed.  

• Complete a Certificate of Registration at the County Clerk’s office.

    The Certificate of Registration is a statement that the registrant been a resident for at least one year and has not been convicted of a felony.  The registrant certifies that he or she will perform his or her duties as a process server in compliance with the laws governing service of process.    

• File the Certificate of Registration and the bond with the County Clerk.

    The proper county for filing a Certificate of Registration is where the server resides or does business.  The registration is a statewide registration authorizing service through California. The filing fee ranges from $90.00 to $232.00 and varies from county to county.  Some counties add a fee for issuing an ID card, taking a photo for the card, and bundle the $56.00 “Fingerprint Processing Fee” into the total fee. 

    Once the Certificate of Registration and Bond are filed, the fingerprints are submitted, and the fees are paid, the County Clerk will issue the Registered Process Server’s registration number and a temporary Process Server Registration Card with the name, address, photo and registration number.  The card is good for 60 days and if no negative felony report is received from either the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the County Clerk will send a permanent card that will expire at the end of the two-year registration period.