AB 747: the new photo rules for serving papers

Updated September 28, 2026

California's AB 747 (Chapter 563, Statutes of 2025) changes how a summons is served and proved. It takes effect January 1, 2027. This is a short summary of the enacted text, with the section numbers so you can check each rule.

Photos with the proof of service

When service is made or attempted under Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10 (personal delivery), 415.20 (substituted service) or 415.45 (posting), the proof of service includes one or more photos of the site of each attempt (section 417.10).

Each photo has a readable stamp that records the date, time and GPS or equivalent coordinates automatically.
At a home, at least one photo shows the door of the house, apartment or other dwelling. At a business, it shows the door of the specific office or place of business.
If the door isn't reasonably accessible, the photo shows the entrance instead, and the proof explains with specificity why the door wasn't accessible.
The server takes the photo as close as practicable to the time of the attempt.
If there's no GPS, cellular or equivalent signal, a detailed statement on or with the proof explains why the photo has no coordinates.

When a photo isn't safe

No photo is required if, in the server's reasonable judgment, taking one would compromise their safety. The server documents the attempt on the proof of service with a detailed statement explaining why.

Three attempts before substituted service

To serve an individual by substituted service (section 415.20(b)), the server first attempts personal delivery in good faith on at least three occasions, on three different days, at three different times.

In an action to collect consumer debt, at least one of those attempts is at the person's home, if the home is known or could be found with reasonable effort.

The three attempts aren't required to serve a business at its office (section 415.20(a)). When a private mailbox at a commercial mail receiving agency is the only address reasonably known, the papers can still be left there on the first attempt (section 415.20(c)).

After substituted service, the papers are mailed by first-class mail, Priority Mail with tracking, or Certified Mail with return receipt requested.

Posting in unlawful detainer cases

Posting under section 415.45 still needs a court order and a certified mailing, and service is complete on the 10th day after posting and mailing. Before posting, the server makes the same three attempts on three different days at three different times.

At least one attempt is at the person's home, if it's known or could be found with reasonable effort. This doesn't apply to unlawful detainers of commercial real property or to Safe at Home program participants.

The court's forms

The Judicial Council has proposed a revised POS-010 and a new POS-012 for January 1, 2027 (proposal SPR26-08). Until the final forms are posted, the current POS-010 is the one revised January 1, 2007, with MC-025 for attachments.

How CivilStamp handles it

Each AB 747 item and what CivilStamp does
The law asks for	CivilStamp
A photo of the door	The camera asks for the door and the house number. The house number only helps match the address; the law asks for the door. Photos come only from the camera, never the library.
The entrance, when the door isn't reasonably accessible	Tap Couldn't reach the door, photograph the entrance and write why.
Date, time and GPS stamp	Printed under every photo, with the GPS accuracy. The stamp is always on.
A photo close to the time of the attempt	The photo is taken during the visit, and the stamp shows when.
No-signal statement	Asked for before saving when there's no location.
Safety statement	Record a visit without a photo, with the reason.
Three attempts on three days at three times	Counted on each case: personal attempts, different days and different times.
The photos and statements with the proof of service	The service record: one PDF per case with the visits, stamped photos, a map, the visit log and the server's declaration, signed on the phone.

Start free