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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 2Ch. 3Art. 3§ 12197 Partnership Service Of Process Fees

§ 12197 Partnership Service Of Process Fees

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12197 Partnership Service Of Process Fees

Key Takeaways

  • •If a business gets sued and needs to be officially told about it, the state charges $50 to handle the paperwork.
  • •This $50 fee applies to many types of businesses, like partnerships or companies, unless the law says otherwise.
  • •If someone quits being the person who gets sued papers for a company, telling the state about it is free.

Example

A small online store based in another state gets sued by a customer in California.

The state will charge $50 to officially give the store the lawsuit papers, since the store isn’t based in California.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12197 Partnership Service Of Process Fees

The Secretary of State shall charge and collect, as applicable, fees for the following: (a) Service of process, as provided in Section 15800 of the Corporations Code, for every partnership other than a foreign limited partnership subject to Article 9 (commencing with Section 15691) of Chapter 3 or Article 9 (commencing with Section 15909.01) of Chapter 5.5 of Title 2 of the Corporations Code or a commercial banking partnership established and transacting business in a place without the United States, which is domiciled without this state and has no regular place of business within the state: Fifty dollars ($50). (b) Service of process for each registered limited liability partnership whose principal office is not in this state and each foreign limited liability partnership registered under Section 16959 of the Corporations Code: Fifty dollars ($50). (c) Acceptance of copies of process against a corporation, firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, business trust, or natural person: Fifty dollars ($50), unless another fee is specified by law or the law specifies that no fee is to be charged. (d) Filing a statement of resignation by an individual or entity previously designated as an agent for service of process by a limited liability company pursuant to the Corporations Code or the Financial Code: No fee. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 419, Sec. 23. (SB 323) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 32 of Ch. 419.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

partnershipliabilityacceptancecorporationsecretaryresignationstatementunited states

Related Statutes

  • § 23335 Commission Organization And Meetings
  • § 8231.18 Remote Notary Audio-Video Rules
  • § 12176 Secretary Of State Fees
  • § 12261 Court Ordered Reinstatement
  • § 1505 County Officer Bond Liability

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 12197.
View Official Source