Except with leave of the court, all pleadings subsequent to the complaint, together with proof of service unless a summons need be issued, shall be filed with the clerk or judge, and copies thereof served upon the adverse party or his or her attorney.
§ 465.Filing and Service of Pleading Subsequent to Complaint
Title 6. Of the Pleadings In Civil Actions · Chapter 7. General Rules of Pleading · Last amended 1986 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 465 requires every pleading filed after the complaint to be filed with the clerk or judge along with proof of service, unless the court grants leave otherwise, and to be served on the adverse party or the party’s attorney.
Full Text of § 465
Plain-English Summary
Section 465 sets the basic filing-and-service mechanics for pleadings that come after the complaint — answers, cross-complaints, and the like. Absent leave of court to do otherwise, each such pleading must be filed with the clerk or judge together with proof of service, and a copy must be served on the adverse party or that party’s attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do subsequent pleadings need proof of service filed along with them?
Yes, § 465 requires proof of service to be filed with the pleading, except when the court grants leave to proceed otherwise.
Who has to be served with a pleading filed after the complaint?
Section 465 requires service on the adverse party or that party’s attorney.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 953, Sec. 3.
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: filing pleadings after the complaint californiaproof of service subsequent pleading