If the contract requires service of the demand with the words “return receipt requested,” “registered mail,” “certified mail,” or “addressed to the agent, or addressee,” the demand letter, whether sent by PDF, FedEx, or even hand courier, must conform to the request.
For California small claims, you don't have to “serve” a demand letter. You just have to send the demand letter. You can send it by mail, email, or hand delivery, or you can text the demand letter.
Sending a demand letter by certified mail is preferable even if it is not technically required. First, if you have the return receipt then the other party cannot claim later on that they never received the demand letter.
Here's a short list of what you'll want to include: Facts of the case. An outline of what happened. Statement of the issue. A brief description of the problem. Demand. The dollar amount or action necessary to resolve the case. Response deadline. The date by which the recipient must respond. Noncompliance consequences.
A person is also not prohibited from sending a demand letter via e-mail. However, most people continue to use certified mail. In some cases, you may want to use both options.
If you are trying to resolve a dispute, you may want to send a demand letter. You can write one yourself, but hiring an attorney will help you navigate legalities and show the recipient the seriousness of the matter.