Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

How do I create an account with LDS?

Accepted Answer

Creating an account is free and takes just a few minutes. Visit our Sign-Up page, enter your firm details, and your account is active immediately — no contracts, no setup fees, and no waiting period.

Question 2

Is there a contract or minimum commitment?

Accepted Answer

No. LDS operates on a pay-per-use basis with no contracts, no monthly minimums, and no setup fees. You pay only for the services you use, with pricing shown in full before you submit.

Question 3

What types of firms use LDS?

Accepted Answer

LDS serves solo practitioners, boutique litigation firms, mid-size law firms, and large multi-office practices across California. Any firm that files documents with California courts or needs process serving can benefit from our services.

Question 4

Will I have a dedicated point of contact?

Accepted Answer

LDS offers responsive support by phone and email for all clients. If you need a fully managed, hands-off experience with a dedicated specialist assigned to your orders, our Concierge Service is available starting at $50 per order for law firms and $70 per order for parties without an attorney.

Question 5

Can I use LDS alongside my current eFiling provider?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many firms run LDS in parallel with their existing provider during the transition period. There is no exclusivity requirement, and our support team is happy to help you get started.

Question 6

Is LDS a court-approved EFSP?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Legal Document Server is a court-approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) certified to file in all 46 California counties we currently serve. We maintain active certification as court requirements evolve.

Question 7

Which California counties do you support for eFiling?

Accepted Answer

LDS is live in 46 of California's 58 Superior Courts and expanding. For courts not yet on mandatory eFiling, we handle physical filing statewide. Contact us for a current county list.

Question 8

How quickly are eFiling submissions processed?

Accepted Answer

Most submissions are processed the same business day. Urgent filings can be escalated for priority handling. Court acceptance timelines vary by county but are typically 1–3 business days after submission.

Question 9

What happens if my filing is rejected by the court?

Accepted Answer

If your filing is rejected, LDS will notify you immediately with the rejection reason and a corrected resubmission plan. For Concierge orders, resubmissions caused by LDS errors are handled at no additional charge.

Question 10

Does LDS validate my documents before submitting?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you place your order. Self-service orders are submitted as-is — LDS does not review your documents before they go to the court. If you need pre-submission review, place a Concierge order. Concierge submissions are reviewed by our team against current court formatting requirements and mandatory fields before they reach the clerk.

Question 11

Can I file in multiple counties from one account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your LDS dashboard supports filing across all covered counties from a single account. Simply select the court and county when submitting each order.

Question 12

Do you handle physical filing as well as eFiling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For courts that do not yet require or accept eFiling, LDS provides physical filing through our certified court runners. We cover all California counties for physical filing.

Question 13

What types of documents can you serve?

Accepted Answer

LDS serves summons and complaints, subpoenas, unlawful detainer notices, restraining orders, deposition notices, and most other litigation documents. Contact us if you have a specific document type to confirm.

Question 14

How do you verify that service was completed?

Accepted Answer

All LDS process serves are GPS-verified. Upon completion, you receive a notarized proof of service affidavit delivered directly to your dashboard, along with GPS coordinates and timestamp of the serve.

Question 15

Do you offer rush or same-day process serving?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rush and same-day process serving is available for time-sensitive matters. Flag the order as urgent when submitting or contact our support team.

Question 16

What if the recipient cannot be located or avoids service?

Accepted Answer

LDS process servers make multiple attempts and document each one. If personal service is not possible, we can advise on substitute service, nail-and-mail, or publication options depending on the matter.

Question 17

Do you serve documents outside California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LDS handles nationwide process serving through our network of certified servers. Contact our support team to arrange out-of-state service.

Question 18

What court runner services do you provide?

Accepted Answer

LDS court runners handle physical document filing, conformed copy retrieval, file-stamped copy pickup, fee payments, and other in-person courthouse tasks across California.

Question 19

How do I request a court runner?

Accepted Answer

Submit a court services order through your dashboard, specifying the courthouse, task, and any deadline. Our team will confirm the assignment and keep you updated.

Question 20

Can you retrieve documents or case information from the court?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LDS can retrieve file-stamped copies, pull case documents, and obtain court records on your behalf. Specify the documents needed when submitting your order.

Question 21

What is e-service and when is it required?

Accepted Answer

E-service is the electronic service of litigation documents on opposing counsel or parties via a court-compliant platform. Many California courts now require or permit e-service in lieu of physical service on represented parties.

Question 22

How does LDS handle e-service?

Accepted Answer

LDS sends documents via a court-compliant e-service platform, tracks delivery and open receipts automatically, and generates a proof of e-service for your records — all accessible from your dashboard.

Question 23

Can I manage case documents and filings in one place?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your LDS dashboard serves as a central hub for all orders, filings, proofs of service, and case documents. Everything is searchable and downloadable.

Question 24

How is LDS pricing structured?

Accepted Answer

LDS charges per service on a transparent, pay-per-use basis. Pricing is displayed in full before you confirm any order — no hidden fees, no per-page surcharges, and no surprise invoices.

Question 25

Are there volume discounts for high-volume firms?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LDS offers volume pricing for firms with high monthly order volumes. Contact our sales team to discuss a pricing arrangement that fits your firm's needs.

Question 26

Are court filing fees included in LDS pricing?

Accepted Answer

Court filing fees are separate from LDS service fees and are passed through at cost. The full amount — including any applicable court fees — is shown before you submit.

Question 27

How do I receive and pay invoices?

Accepted Answer

Invoices are generated automatically and accessible from your dashboard. LDS accepts major credit cards and ACH payments. Monthly consolidated billing is available for qualifying accounts.

Question 28

How does LDS protect my documents and client data?

Accepted Answer

LDS uses encrypted transmission (TLS) and encrypted storage for all documents. Our workflows are ISO-certified and our data handling practices comply with California privacy law.

Question 29

Who has access to the documents I submit?

Accepted Answer

Only the LDS specialists handling your order have access to your documents. We do not share client data with third parties except as required to fulfill your service order (e.g., the court or process server).

Question 30

How long does LDS retain my documents?

Accepted Answer

Documents and order records are retained for a minimum of seven years in accordance with California legal requirements. You can download copies at any time from your dashboard.

Getting Started

eFiling

Process Serving

Court Services

E-Service & Case Management

Pricing & Billing

Security & Compliance

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