California Private Investigator Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Service of process is deemed complete when the subject acknowledges receipt of the documents. This means that the person being served has directly received the legal documents and recognizes that they have been served, thus affirming that the service has taken place effectively.

Acknowledgment of receipt serves a significant legal function, as it ensures that the individual is aware of the legal proceedings being initiated against them, giving them the opportunity to respond or take necessary actions. It also provides a clear point at which the legal obligations stemming from the documents begin, which is critical in ensuring due process.

While the completion of an affidavit by the process server is necessary for legal purposes and serves as proof that the service was attempted or completed, it does not itself constitute the completion of service. Similarly, mailing documents or having initial contact without confirmation of receipt does not suffice to fulfill the requirements for valid service of process. Thus, the acknowledging of the receipt by the subject is pivotal for the process to be considered legally complete.