Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services do you offer?
   - Court Filing Services
   - Secretary of State Filing Services
   - County Recording Services
   - Courtesy Copy Delivery Services
   - Process Serving Services
   - Skip Tracing Services
   Please click here for more information about pricing and service areas.
2. How do I place an order?
   Once you have an account (See Opening an Account FAQ), you can login and then click “Place Order” or you can select your job type from our Welcome Page and then click “Go” after you have selected your job criteria. You can then upload your documents to Rapid Legal. If your order requires a original copy the routing page will inform you where to mail or overnight your job.
3. What is online ordering and what are the benefits of this service?
   Online ordering allows you to place your order and documents through our secure website. The main benefit is the speed of how fast we receive and dispatch your job for service. You also benefit from; savings in document preparation time, the convenience of sending jobs right from your desk, printed paper, ability to track your job from submission to completion online in real time.
4. What does the Rapid Legal do once my order is received and how do I get confirmation when the job is received and completed?
   The Rapid Legal system will notify you by email a receipt of your order as soon as it is received and throughout the entire process of the assignment until completion. Once your assignment is completed, your deliverables (conformed copies, proof of services or obtained copies) will be emailed to you.
5. How do I check the status of an order?
   You can Login to your customer portal through the “Secure Login” on the Rapid Legal website and then select “My Jobs” Tab, once there all your active orders will be listed there. If the information you are seeking is not there, your order may be completed and you should select the “Archives” Tab. If your order is still not listed, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 366-5445.
6. I forgot my password or account number.
   To obtain your lost password go to our Welcome page and click “forgot your password” at the bottom of the in the Secure Login box on the top right of the page, and it will be emailed to you. To obtain your account number, please call Rapid Legal at (800) 366-5445 and speak with customer service.

1. How do I open an account?
   Go to our home page and click on the button that reads “Get Started.” Our wizard makes the application process easy & fast.
2. Is there a fee for opening an account or a monthly account fee?
   No, we do not charge a fee for opening an account and there is no monthly fee. All fees are transaction based.
3. Do I have to provide a credit card?
   Yes. We do ask that all account holders provide a credit card number even for “Open Credit” accounts. We will only charge your credit card, however, if your invoice is not paid by the 45th day from the date of the invoice.
4. Does my law firm or company register or do I register individually?
   The account is “held” by the firm or company. Each user at the firm or company must have their own login and password as part of the account.
5. How do I add a user to my account?
   Go to our Welcome page at www.rapidlegal.com. The first option is Sign-up with two options “I want to create a new account” or “I want to add a user to an existing account”, select the second. You can also click on the “New User” link, in the Secure Login box, on the top right of our Welcome page and follow the same instructions.
6. Do I have to open an account?
   Yes. All customers must open an account with Rapid Legal.
7. Do I have to provide a credit card?
   Yes. We require all accounts to provide a credit card as a payment guarantee:
   
   

   A.	For "Credit Card" accounts we will charge your card when your order is submitted.
   B.	For "Open Credit" accounts we will only charge your credit card if your invoice is not paid by the 45th day from the date of the invoice.

1. Where can I file court documents using Rapid Legal?
   Rapid Legal provides court filing in all counties of California. We can also file your documents outside of California, but keep in mind that not all states have the same requirements as California so we may not be able to do so online or by other electronic means.
2. Does Rapid Legal offer any guarantees?
   Yes. Rapid Legal guarantees an attempt to file your documents by the court deadline, if received by Rapid Legal’s deadline, or the filing is free. Note: The court clerk makes the final decision on whether or not your document is filed. All pages must be completely received and ready to be filed by Rapid Legal’s deadline. The Rapid Legal deadline depends on the deadline of the respective court. For a complete list of deadlines, please download our Service Area Directory and Deadlines in PDF. Please also note the following:
   
   

   a.	For filings of more than 100 pages we must receive all documents one (1) hour before the Rapid Legal deadline in order to guarantee filing by court deadline.
   b.	For On Demand Service (after deadline attempt): Depending on the court, a job may have to be dropped off in a “Drop Box” or job may be turned away by the clerk of the court.

3. Will all California Courts accept fax filings thru a Fax Filing provider?
   Yes. Fax filing has been in effect since March of 1992 California Rule of Court 2.300 reads “The rules in this chapter apply to civil, probate, and family law proceedings in all trial courts. Rule 5.522 applies to fax filing in juvenile law proceedings.” Criminal and Appellate Courts, for example, do not fall under this definition Although some criminal and appellate courts do accept fax or electronic filings.
4. Will all Federal Courts accept fax filings?
   No. In fact, with some exceptions (filing new actions and documents under seal for example), Federal Courts in the United States mandate electronic filing via their proprietary program and then only by the law firm itself. We can, however, deliver the required paper courtesy copies.
5. What about exhibit tabs with fax filings?
   Rapid Legal will insert exhibit tabs when required at no charge.
6. What do you do with courts that require certain forms on colored paper?
   Because each of our branches knows the local rules and requirements of their courts, we have the necessary paper and other items to comply with those rules or requirements, including colored paper and blue backing with NO extra charges.
7. How will I get confirmation that my documents were filed?
   Rapid Legal will advise you by phone or email once your job is completed. Your conformed copy will then be emailed or faxed to you.
8. How do you handle court filing fees?
   Rapid Legal will advance any fees for customers in good standing. In cases of large advances (over $1000.00) we will request immediate reimbursement.
9. What do you do with the original summons once the court issues it?
   California State Courts no longer return the original summons after it is issued; it is now filed like most other documents. The procedure varies in other states, but rest assured, we will return any original documents provided by any court. For new actions filed in Federal Court, Rapid Legal will return the original summons by your choice of mail or overnight delivery.
10. Can you eFile documents?
    At this time, only some courts accept documents by eFiling. For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 366-5445, or contact the court directly.
11. Can I send you my documents to record at the county recorders?
    Yes. However, the original or a certified copy of documents to record is required by the County Clerk at the Recorder’s. You can send us your documents by mail or overnight to the closest fulfillment office.

1. Are you able to serve a faxed or uploaded document anywhere in the United States?
   Yes, in most cases, we can serve any document that is upload or transmitted to us by fax. Very few states do require us to serve original documents, please check with the court of jurisdiction to be sure.
2. Can you serve documents at a Post Office Box?
   Service cannot be affected at a USPO Box, but as Registered Process Servers we have the ability to request the physical address of the Boxholder from the Post office and once the address is obtained, we can attempt service there. Note: A separate fee applies for a Post Office Box search.
3. How do I receive the Proof of Service?
   Once your job has been served, our system will prepare the proofs of service of service have it eSigned by our process server (If a notary is required, we will sign and notarized original), then email to you.
4. Do you file the proof of service?
   When you are placing your order there is an option for us to file your proof of service. However, an additional charge does apply.
5. Why don’t you return the hand signed or wet ink original proof?
   Simply put Speed and efficiency. Due to the fact that in California, Code of Civil Procedure sections 1010.5 and 1010.6 state that a facsimile transmitted document constitutes an original and a document that is filed electronically shall have the same legal effect as an original paper document. So, there is no need to send you the hand signed document. In other states, the rules differ. For those States that do require the wet ink original to be returned to either you or the court, we will do so. For Federal Court matters, the PDF version that we return to you, can be eFiled.
6. How soon will I receive the proof or affidavit of service?
   Depending on the service location, you will generally receive your proof of service within 2-3 business days from the date service took place. It can take longer for services affected outside of California or for those where a notarized affidavit of service is required.
7. Can I fax file the proof of service?
   Yes, in most instances you can. However, it does depend on the type of court and the state. California State Trial Courts (except Criminal Courts) generally allow the fax filing of any document. Other State Courts do have different requirements and the Federal Courts (with some exceptions) mandate electronic filing only.
8. What are witness fees?
   Witness fees are the statutory fees that must be paid to certain witnesses in certain cases. Not all case types and witnesses require or are entitled to witness fees, however. Please contact our Process Department and they can assist you with your fee calculation.
9. Do I have to fill out one work order for each person I want served?
   Yes, we do require one work order for each person or party served. We do simplify the order process, by giving you the option to copy the address and document information to multiple orders.
10. Do you charge for each document you serve?
    No. You may send as many documents you need served on any one party or person. We charge per party and address.
11. What do you do when you are trying to serve someone?
    Serving someone varies on each occasion. In some cases service is simple, and by asking for the person by name we are able to serve them. However, in more difficult instances, we check with neighbors or speak with co-occupants, leave messages, call phone numbers and perform other “due diligence” requirements. Our servers do not wear uniforms but are always professional and courteous to the people they serve.
12. Are documents I send you served by your employees or by contractors?
    We utilize employees and affiliates that are independent contractors to serve your process. No matter which, our company ensures they are experienced and registered. Our entire Process Department staff is trained certified by the California Association of Legal Support Professionals as well as industry leading instructors.
13. How long does it take to serve my paper?
    How long it takes to serve your papers depends on a number of factors; service location, party type (witness or defendant) evading or willing party, as well as, the service level your select when placing your order. The majority of papers we serve are usually served on the first attempt.
14. How many attempts at service do you make?
    We have no published limits on the number of attempts we make. However, usually it is no more that 10 to 12 attempts. We will give every service of process job our best efforts and our branch office handling the job will keep you informed and work with you to come up with a solution to serve those “difficult papers.”
15. What methods can I use to get a difficult paper served?
    There are a number of methods to use when you have a party or witness who is being difficult and evading. One option is to have our process server wait or stakeout a location, when we have determined that the party or witness may be evading service. We can also do special handling requests, like making an appointment or being at a certain location at a specific time. Another option is to do a Skip Trace by one of our licensed investigators to obtain a new or more current service address to serve and lastly, we can do a post office search to obtain a change of address for a party or witness.
16. Do my proofs of service have to be notarized?
    Services from California or Federal Trial courts do not require a proof to be notarized. For documents being served from other States, however, a notarized affidavit of service sometimes required and will be provided for an additional notary fee.
17. Will you advance witness fees?
    Yes, we will advance any witness fees for customers in good standing.

1. Where do you provide document retrieval?
   Most County, State and Federal courts, as well as County Clerk-Recorder’s and Secretaries of State- nationwide.
2. How do you handle large copy assignments?
   We request that you give us a page limit to order or copy. Sometimes we may request a not to exceed check for copies, given that some case files can have hundreds or thousands of pages.
3. Can you guarantee that you will obtain my copies?
   No, because the courts themselves are the custodian of the court file and we have limited court access. We will, however, keep you apprised of the status of your request.
4. How do I get my copies once you have obtained them?
   We will send you your copies via email attachment. If you request it we can send them overnight delivery or mail. Appropriate fees will apply.
5. How long does it take to obtain my copies?
   We will attempt to order your file or copies within 2 days of the date your order is received (if received by deadline). Most requests are returned to you within 5 to 7 business days. Please keep in mind that larger jobs, older cases, and special requests can take longer depending on the location and request.
6. Can you check and see if a case has been filed against a person or party?
   Yes, we can. Just fill out our work order accordingly.