§ 26738 Not-Found Return Fee

Government Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•If someone tries to serve you legal papers but can't find you, they have to pay a $50 fee.
•This fee is for when they officially say they looked but couldn't find you or your stuff at the address given.
•This rule applies to things like court orders, subpoenas, or notices that need to be delivered.

Example

If the court sends someone to give you a paper saying you have to go to court, but you moved and didn't tell anyone, they might not find you.

The person trying to give you the paper will have to pay $50 to officially say they couldn't find you.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 26738 Not-Found Return Fee

The fee for making a not-found return on an affidavit and order, order for appearance, subpoena, writ of attachment, writ of execution, writ of possession, order for delivery of personal property, or other process or notice required to be served, certifying that the person or property cannot be found at the address specified is fifty dollars ($50). (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 29, Sec. 14. (SB 564) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

not-found possession property subpoena document appearance attachment execution

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Government Code. Section 26738.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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