​​Secondary Service of Process Methods

DHCS Guidelines for Subpoenas, Summons, and Complain​​ts

U.S. Mail Service

The Department will also accept se​rvice by U.S. mail. Subpoena packages may be mailed to the Department at Department of Health Care Services, Office of Legal Services, Subpoena Desk, P.O. Box 997413, MS 0010, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413.

Subpoenas received by U.S. mail may be delayed. Therefore, the Department prefers to process subpoenas via the Subpoena Center portal. The subpoena package must include the following: ​

The following items are required to properly serve subpoenas to the Department:

1. All state court subpoenas require a check for $15.00 made out to the Department of Health Care Services. Requests will not be processed if payment is not received. Please mail the original check to the Department at Department of Health Care Services, Office of Legal Services, Subpoena Desk, P.O. Box 997413, MS 0010, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413. If payment is not received within (five) 5 business days, service will be rejected.
2. State court su​​bpoenas require a Notice to Consumer with a date no sooner than ten (10) days from the date of service, or an Authorization to Release Records.
3. State court subpoenas for personal attendance of custodian of records require a check for $275.00 made out to the Department of Health Care Services.
4. All subpoenas must have a Date of Birth, complete Social Security Number, or CIN (13 or 14 digit number with a letter in the middle; or first nine digits).
5. Federal court subpoenas do not require a check.
6. Authorization to Release Records must include:
1. Copy of current, legible photo ID.
2. If representative, evidence of the representative relationship (e.g. appointment of guardian ad litem or birth certificate).
   

NOTE: A valid email address is still required when serving the Department. 

The Department will send an email via the Subpoena Center portal acknowledging receipt of the subpoena using the requestor's valid email address included in the subpoena package.

Legal documents received without the information outlined in this notice will be returned to the requestor.  

Drop Box Service

The Department will also accept service by drop box. The drop box is located in the lobby of the Department of Health Care Services, located at 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814. Legal documents may be served in the drop box located at the security desk. The Department will send response emails via the Subpoena Center​ portal to the requestor, including a link to the portal where the Department will upload responsive documents for review and retrieval.​

Subpoenas received by drop box service may be delayed. Therefore, the Department prefers to process subpoenas via the Subpoena Center portal. The subpoena package must include the following:

The following items are required to properly serve subpoenas to the Department:

1. All state court subpoenas require a check for $15.00 made out to the Department of Health Care Services. Requests will not be processed if payment is not received. Please include the original check to the Department when submitting subpoenas via drop box service.
2. State court subpoenas require a Notice to Consumer with a date no sooner than ten (10) days from the date of service, or an Authorization to Release Records.
3. State court subpoenas for personal attendance of custodian of records require a check for $275.00 made out to the Department of Health Care Services.
4. All subpoenas must have a Date of Birth, complete Social Security Number, or CIN (13 or 14 digit number with a letter in the middle; or first nine digits).
5. Federal court subpoenas do not require a check.
6. Authorization to Release Records must include:
1. Copy of current, legible photo ID.
2. If representative, evidence of the representative relationship (e.g. appointment of guardian ad litem or birth certificate).
   
   

NOTE: A valid email address is still required when serving the Department. 

The Department will send an email via the Subpoena Center​ portal acknowledging receipt of the subpoena using the requestor's valid email address included in the subpoena package.

Legal documents received without the information outlined in this notice will be returned to the requestor.  ​