(a) Any notice required by law, other than those required to be given to a party to an action or to his attorney, the service of which is not governed by the other sections of this chapter and which is not otherwise specifically provided for by law, may be given by sending the same by registered mail with proper postage prepaid addressed to the addressee's last known address with request for return receipt, and the production of a returned receipt purporting to be signed by the addressee shall create a disputable presumption that such notice was received by the person to whom the notice was required to be sent.
§ 1020.Service By Mail of Notice Not Governed By Chapter
Title 14. Of Miscellaneous Provisions · Chapter 5. Notices, and Filing and Service of Papers · Last amended 2018 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1020 is a catch-all allowing a notice not otherwise governed by this chapter or specifically addressed elsewhere in the law to be given by registered mail with a return receipt, with a signed returned receipt creating a disputable presumption the notice was received.
Full Text of § 1020
(b) Electronic service is not authorized for a notice that requires certified or registered mail.
Plain-English Summary
This section fills gaps rather than governing the common case. It applies only to a notice required by law that isn't required to be given to a party or that party's attorney, whose service isn't already governed by the other sections of this chapter, and that isn't specifically addressed by some other statute. For that narrow category, the notice can be given by registered mail, with proper postage prepaid, addressed to the addressee's last known address, with a request for a return receipt.
If a returned receipt purporting to be signed by the addressee comes back, it creates a disputable presumption that the notice was received — a rebuttable evidentiary shortcut rather than conclusive proof. Subdivision (b) makes clear this option doesn't extend to electronic service: a notice that requires certified or registered mail can't instead be served electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of notices does § 1020 cover?
Only notices required by law that aren't required to go to a party or the party's attorney, aren't governed by the other sections of this chapter, and aren't specifically addressed by another statute.
How can such a notice be given?
By registered mail, postage prepaid, to the addressee's last known address, with a request for a return receipt.
What does a signed return receipt prove?
It creates a disputable presumption that the notice was received by the addressee, which the addressee can rebut with contrary evidence.
Can this kind of notice be given electronically instead?
No. Section 1020(b) says electronic service isn't authorized for a notice that requires certified or registered mail.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2017 ch 319 (AB 976),s 4.5, eff. 1/1/2018.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: registered mail notice californiacatch-all notice provision california