(a) Service of papers When service is made under Code of Civil Procedure section 1011(b) and a party’s residence address is unknown, the notice or papers delivered to the clerk, or to the judge if there is no clerk, must be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the party in care of the clerk or the judge. (Subd (a) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2003.)
Rule 3.252.Service of papers on the clerk when a party’s address is unknown
Division 3. Filing and Service · Chapter 4. Miscellaneous · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.252 tells a party who must serve papers on someone whose residence address is unknown, under Code of Civil Procedure section 1011(b), how to address the envelope delivered to the clerk and what information the back of that envelope must show.
Full Text of Rule 3.252
(b) Information on the envelope The back of the envelope delivered under (a) must bear the following information: “Service is being made under Code of Civil Procedure section 1011(b) on a party whose residence address is unknown.” [Name of party whose residence address is unknown] [Case name and number] (Subd (b) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2003.)
Plain-English Summary
Normally, service by mail means putting something in an envelope addressed to the person being served. Rule 3.252 covers the narrow situation under Code of Civil Procedure section 1011(b) where a party's own residence address is not known, so there is no address to write. In that case, the papers go to the clerk of the court — or the judge, in a court with no clerk — in an envelope addressed to the party in care of that clerk or judge.
Because the envelope cannot carry the missing party's address, Rule 3.252 requires the back of it to carry something else instead: a statement that service is being made under section 1011(b) on a party whose residence address is unknown, along with that party's name and the case name and number. That labeling lets the clerk route the envelope correctly and creates a record of exactly who was being served this way and in which case.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Rule 3.252 apply?
It applies when service is being made under Code of Civil Procedure section 1011(b) because a party's residence address is unknown, so papers cannot be mailed directly to that party.
Who receives the papers if a party's address is unknown?
The papers go to the clerk of the court, or to the judge if there is no clerk, in an envelope addressed to the party in care of the clerk or judge.
What has to be written on the envelope?
Rule 3.252(b) requires the back of the envelope to state that service is being made under section 1011(b) on a party of unknown residence address, plus that party's name and the case name and number.
Amendment History
Rule 3.252 renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 202.5 effective July 1, 1997; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: service when address unknown californiaCCP 1011(b) service on clerkrule 3.252 envelope requirements