Rule 5.66.Proof of service

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 4. Starting and Responding to a Family Law Case; Service of Papers · Article 3. Service of Papers · Last amended 2017 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.66 requires proof that the other party received the petition or the response, and lists the acceptable ways to prove it.

Full Text of Rule 5.66

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Requirements to file proof of service

Parties must file with the court a completed form to prove that the other party received the petition or complaint or response to petition or complaint.

(b) Methods of proof of service

(1) The proof of service of summons may be on a form approved by the Judicial Council or a document or pleading containing the same information required in Proof of Service of Summons (form FL-115).

(2) The proof of service of response to petition or complaint may be on a form approved by the Judicial Council or a document or pleading containing the same information required in Proof of Service by Mail (form FL-335), Proof of Personal Service (form FL-330), or Proof of Electronic Service (form POS-050/EFS-050).

End

Plain-English Summary

Filing proof of service is what lets the case move. The rule requires a completed form proving that the other party received the petition or complaint, or the response to it.

The proof need not be on a Judicial Council form, but it must carry the same information. For a summons, that means the information required by the Proof of Service of Summons. For a response, it means the information in the proof of service by mail, of personal service, or of electronic service, depending on how it was done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the Judicial Council proof of service form?

No. The proof may be on an approved form or on a document or pleading containing the same information the corresponding form requires.

Which proof of service applies to a response?

The one matching the method used — Proof of Service by Mail (FL-335), Proof of Personal Service (FL-330), or Proof of Electronic Service (POS-050/EFS-050).

Amendment History

Rule 5.66 amended effective January 1, 2017; adopted effective January 1, 2013.

(Subd (a) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2017; adopted as unlettered subd.) (Subd (b) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2017; adopted as unlettered subd.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: proof of service family law CaliforniaFL-115 proof of service summonshow to prove service divorce papers