Difficult Process Service

Our licensed private investigators have a wide variety of skills and diverse backgrounds. With 25+ years of experience, we have an excellent track record of providing high quality investigation services. From start to finish, our knowledgeable, discreet, and detail oriented staff goes above and beyond to manage your expectations, remain 100% confidential and update you daily as events unfold on your case. 

We rely on the best investigative technology and techniques, and comply with the industry’s leading standards for surveillance, locating, record search, and process services. 

At LA Undercover, difficult service of process is a specialty, not an afterthought. Most process servers make a few attempts at the address on the paperwork and send back a declaration of non-service. We approach every hard serve as an investigation: we find out where the person actually lives, works and spends time, learn their routine, and put a licensed and registered server in the right place at the right moment. Whether the person is deliberately dodging service, hiding behind a gate or security staff, or has simply disappeared, our job is to get your documents served properly and documented so they hold up in court.

What Makes a Service “Difficult”

• Evasive individuals who know papers are coming and refuse to answer the door, change their routine or have others lie about their whereabouts
• Gated communities, secured buildings and guarded estates where a server cannot simply walk up to the front door
• Celebrities, executives and high-profile individuals surrounded by assistants, security, managers or publicists
• People with no current address: those who have moved, use P.O. boxes or mail drops, live with friends or relatives, or are deliberately off the grid
• Bad or outdated addresses where prior servers came back with “moved,” “unknown” or “no answer”
• Time-sensitive matters with a hearing date, statute of limitations or court deadline approaching
• Out-of-state and international parties who are temporarily in California or need to be served abroad

How We Get Hard-to-Serve People Served

1. Pre-service investigation. Before the first attempt, our investigators verify where the person really is. We run comprehensive skip-trace and database searches, review property, court and business records, check social media and online activity, and identify vehicles, workplaces, gyms, relatives and associates. Bad addresses are ruled out before you pay for wasted attempts.

2. Strategic attempts. We plan attempts around the person’s actual routine, at different times of day, on weekdays and weekends, and at home, work or other locations they frequent. When it helps, we cover multiple locations at the same time so the person cannot slip out a different door.

3. Stakeouts and surveillance. For the most evasive subjects, our investigators conduct stakeouts and mobile surveillance, waiting for the person to leave a gated property, arrive at work or step out of a vehicle. Our team blends in and keeps a low profile, so the person is not alerted before service is made.

4. Detailed documentation. Every attempt is logged with the date, time, location and what was observed. Where appropriate, we document attempts with time-stamped photographs and notes, giving you a clear record if the other side later claims they were never served.

5. Proof of service. Once service is complete, you receive a properly completed and signed proof of service promptly, along with a summary of the attempts and investigation behind it. If service is ever challenged, our servers can provide supporting declarations and testimony.

Documents We Serve

• Summons and complaints, cross-complaints and amended pleadings
• Family law petitions: divorce, legal separation, custody and support
• Domestic violence, civil harassment, elder abuse and workplace violence restraining orders
• Deposition, records and trial subpoenas (personal and business records)
• Orders to show cause and requests for order
• Small claims and unlawful detainer (eviction) papers
• Writs, bank levies, wage garnishments and earnings withholding orders (EWOs)
• Orders for judgment debtor examinations and other post-judgment documents

Due Diligence Locate Investigations

When a person truly cannot be found or personally served, the court may allow alternative methods of service, such as substituted service, posting or service by publication. To get there, you need to show the court that reasonable diligence was used. LA Undercover can conduct a Due Diligence Locate investigation and prepare a detailed Declaration of Due Diligence supporting your request.

Our due diligence searches cover public records, court indexes, voter and tax assessor rolls, real and personal property records, business filings, utility and address-history sources, social media and, where permitted, DMV and postal records, along with documented service attempts and interviews with neighbors, employers or associates. Our searches are conducted with the requirements of California Code of Civil Procedure sections 415.10 through 415.50 in mind, so your declaration is thorough, organized and ready to file.

High-Profile, Celebrity and Gated-Community Service

Based in Beverly Hills, we regularly serve in Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Trousdale Estates, Malibu, Hidden Hills, Calabasas and other gated and high-security neighborhoods. Serving a celebrity, executive or public figure requires discretion, patience and an understanding of how their days are structured around studios, offices, events and security teams. We handle these assignments quietly and professionally, without creating a scene or drawing media attention to you or your client.

Statewide, Nationwide and International Service

Our team serves throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Ventura County, Sacramento County and the rest of California. Through a vetted network of affiliates, we arrange service anywhere in the United States, handle the domestication of out-of-state subpoenas, and assist with international service of process, including matters under the Hague Service Convention.

Who We Work With

We serve papers for law firms, solo attorneys, paralegals, legal support companies, collection agencies, businesses and individuals representing themselves. Attorneys rely on us when their regular service company has failed, and individuals come to us when a spouse, former partner, tenant or debtor is avoiding them. For broader litigation support, see our Attorney Services, Skip Tracing & Locates and Judgment Recovery pages.

Why Choose LA Undercover for Difficult Service

• Licensed California private investigators (CA PI #188895) with 25+ years of experience
• Investigation first, so attempts are made where the person actually is
• Stakeouts, surveillance and simultaneous multi-location attempts when needed
• Detailed attempt logs and prompt, properly completed proofs of service
• Discreet handling of celebrity, executive and high-security serves
• You speak directly with Marc, not a call center

Frequently Asked Questions

The person keeps avoiding the server. What can you do?
That is exactly what we specialize in. We investigate the person’s routine and locations, then plan attempts and stakeouts where and when they are most likely to be reached.

Another company already said the person can’t be served. Can you still help?
Yes. Many of our cases come to us after a prior non-service. Send us the prior attempts and any information you have, and we will start with a fresh investigation.

What if we cannot find the person at all?
We can conduct a due diligence locate investigation and provide a detailed declaration to support a request for an alternative method of service, such as service by publication.

Do you serve outside Los Angeles?
Yes. We serve throughout California and coordinate service nationwide and internationally through trusted affiliates.

Where to Begin 

We are here to assist you in answering questions you may have in regards to your case. To begin please call, email or submit a request form below.

Serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Ventura County, Sacramento County, and others upon request