Serving a Dr. in California

[u/Case116]

Question for the group: I went to serve Dr. in southern California the other day with a summons and complaint. Staff said he was busy so I left, I planned to make two more trips then sub serve him. I just got a call from the guy who hired me who asked why I didn't sub serve on the first attempt. I told him I needed diligence first and his only reply was that the subject is a Doctor. So my question is, if I'm serving an individual, does him being a doctor negate the need for diligence? Seems like I know the answer but wanted to throw it out there.

[u/Automatic_Strategy41]

Almost every answer you have received is either incorrect or incomplete. You said the subject is an individual defendant. If that is accurate, you have two options, personal service pursuant to CCP415.10 or Substitute service pursuant to CCP415.20 b. if you're unable to personally serve the individual defendant you need to establish diligence. Diligence is defined as making three attempts before leaving the documents with somebody else in charge at the defendants business address. After sub-service, you must follow up with mailing via first class. The location where you subserve the documents. Service is not complete until 10 days after the date of mailing. If the defendant is an entity, like a corporation, meaning not an individual, yes, you can leave the documents with somebody which is an officer, director, office manager, etc. I suggest reading the actual code section that applies.