Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services do you offer?
   - California court filing
   - Nationwide process serving
   - Nationwide document retrieval
   Please click here for more information about pricing and service areas.
2. How do I place an order?
   If you don’t have an account, you can easily create one by clicking “Get Started.” If you have an account, 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, fax, overnight or mail your work order and documents to the Rapid Legal Branch as directed.
3. What is online ordering and what are the benefits to utilizing this service?
   Online ordering allows you to place your order through our website. You can then upload, fax, overnight or mail your order and documents to us. The benefits include savings in paper and document preparation time, the convenience of sending jobs right from your desk, and the receipt of job status updates from us as well as the ability to check for updates yourself.
4. What does the Rapid Legal Branch do once my order is received? How do I get confirmation when the job is completed?
   Our branches will notify you by email upon receipt of your order and throughout the process, whether your job is a file, serve or retrieval. The Rapid Legal Branch handling your job will also email you upon completion of your order. Then your conformed copies or requested copies will be emailed, faxed, overnighted, or mailed to you. If your job was a service of process, than a copy of your proof of service will be emailed or faxed to you.
5. How do I check the status of an order?
   Login and then select the job in question from the list on your “My Jobs” page. If the information you are seeking is not there, you should contact the Rapid Legal Branch handling your order. You can also contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 366-5445.

1. Do I have to open an account?
   Yes. For California businesses, including law firms, there are two options: 1) Open Credit Account, or 2) Credit Card Account. For individuals, or out of state businesses, including law firms, your option is to open a Credit Card Account.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Does my law firm or company register or do I register individually?
   The account is “held” by the company or firm. Each user at the firm or company must have their own login and password as part of the account.
6. How do I add a user to my account?
   Go to our Welcome page www.rapidlegal.com and click on the button that reads “Get Started.” Then select the drop down item “I want to add a user to an existing account.” You can also click on the “New User” link, in the Secure Login box, on the top right of our Welcome page.
7. How do you bill me and how can I check or pay online?
   For Open Credit accounts, we can bill you by invoice (paper or electronic) or for large accounts we can send you a monthly itemized statement. If you would like a monthly statement, contact our Accounting Department at accounting@rapidlegal.com. For Credit Card accounts, we will charge your credit card upon completion of the job.
8. What types of payments do you accept?
   Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Company Checks and Electronic Checks are all acceptable forms of payment.
9. I forgot my password or account number. How can I get them?
   If it’s only your password you need, then go to our Welcome page and click “forgot your password” in the Secure Login box on the top right of the page, and it will be emailed to you. If you need your account number, you can call Rapid Legal customer service at (800) 366-5445.

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 next filing is free. Note: All pages must be completely received and ready to be filed by Rapid Legal’s deadline. The court clerk makes the final decision on whether or not your document is filed.
3. Will all California Courts accept fax filings thru a Fax Filing provider?
   Yes. Fax filing has been in effect since March of 1992 but, unfortunately, not all California Courts accept fax or electronically submitted filings. 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 Courts, for example, do not fall under this definition. Neither do Appellate Courts, although some appellate courts do accept fax or electronic filings and then ask that the wet-ink original be submitted the next day.
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 tabs where needed.
6. Some courts require certain forms on colored paper. What do you do?
   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.
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 extremely large advances (over $1000.00) we may 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 thru a vendor like us. 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?
    Yes. However, we will need the original or a certified copy by mail or overnight as County Clerk-Recorders cannot record a copy.

1. Are you able to serve a faxed or uploaded document anywhere in the United States?
   Yes, we can serve any document that is transmitted to us by fax or upload. Keep in mind that some states do require service of the original. Please check with the court of jurisdiction to be sure.
2. Do you file the proof or affidavit of service?
   We can file proofs or affidavits of service. There is, however, an additional charge.
3. 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 the Post Office Box check.
4. How do I receive the Proof of Service?
   Once your job has been served, our Branch will prepare the proof of service or affidavit of service, have it signed by our process server (and notarized if necessary), then email or fax a copy to you.
5. Why don’t you return the hand signed or wet ink original proof?
   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 then 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 (or affidavit) of service within 3-5 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 the Branch where you want the witness served 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. Not all documents are served at the same time, even if they are at the same address. In addition, instructions for one service are not always the same for another.
10. Do you charge for each document you serve?
    No. You may send us as many documents as you wish to serve on any one party or person. We charge per party and address, not per document.
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, independent contractors or affiliates to serve your process. No matter which, our company ensures they are experienced and registered. All of our branch supervisors are independently certified by the California Association of Legal Support Professionals.
13. Do I have to send a set of documents for each work order when I need to serve two (2) or more people at the same address?
    As long as the documents are the same for all the serves, you can send multiple work orders with only one set of documents and we will make the required copies for the 2nd and subsequent serves to effect proper service. If you choose to overnight or mail them, then you will need to attach one set of documents per work order.
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. How long does it take to serve my paper?
    When the first attempt is made depends on the service level you selected. The majority of papers we serve are, however, usually served on the first attempt. Keep in mind that this depends somewhat on the service location, party type and whether or not the subject is willing to accept service.
16. Does my proof of service have to be notarized?
    Services effected in California, from California or Federal Trial courts, do not require a notarized proof of service. For documents being served in California from other States, however, a notarized affidavit of service is usually 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-Recorders 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.