You must make sure the defendant receives a copy of the claim you filed. This is called "service of process." Service of process has strict rules that must be followed exactly or your case may be delayed or dismissed. The plaintiff cannot complete service of process them self, a third party should be used. For ways to serve the defendant, see our Service of Process page.
For ways of serving tenants in an Unlawful Detainer case, visit our page Landlord/Tenant. For serving documents on a Small Claims case, refer to the Small Claims page.