If none of the places referred to in Section 1297.31 can be found after making a reasonable inquiry, a written communication is deemed to have been received if it is sent to the addressee's last known place of business, habitual residence, or mailing address by registered mail or by any other means which provides a record of the attempt to deliver it.
§ 1297.32.Communication Sent to Addresse's Last Known Place of Business, Residence Or Mailing Address
Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 1. Application and Interpretation · Article 3. Receipt of Written Communications · Enacted 1988 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1297.32 deems a written communication received if, after none of the usual addresses can be located through reasonable inquiry, it is sent to the addressee's last known place of business, residence, or mailing address by registered mail or another method that records the delivery attempt.
Full Text of § 1297.32
Plain-English Summary
Sometimes the addresses Section 1297.31 relies on cannot be found at all, and this section supplies the fallback for that situation. If a reasonable inquiry turns up none of those places, a written communication is still deemed received if it is sent to the addressee's last known place of business, habitual residence, or mailing address.
The method of sending matters here, since there is no confirmed delivery to rely on. The sender has to use registered mail or some other means that leaves a record of the attempt to deliver the communication, so that even without proof the addressee received it, there is documentation that a real attempt was made to the best available address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if none of the usual delivery addresses can be found?
The communication is still deemed received if sent to the addressee's last known place of business, habitual residence, or mailing address, after a reasonable inquiry failed to locate a current address.
What method of sending is required in that situation?
Registered mail or another means that provides a record of the attempt to deliver the communication.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 23, Sec. 1. Effective March 7, 1988.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: last known address arbitration notice californiaregistered mail fallback international arbitration