<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000739421</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CZFS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297470</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JONES MICKEY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3063 ROUTE 184 HIGHWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TROUT RUN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17771</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>665</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1330.3571</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2006 Restricted Stock Plan vest in three equal annual installments commencing on April 30, 2009.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GINA MARIE BOOR FOR MICKEY L. JONES UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED 7/12/04</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2008-04-30
0
0000739421
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
CZFS
0001297470
JONES MICKEY L
3063 ROUTE 184 HIGHWAY
TROUT RUN
PA
17771
0
1
0
0
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
COMMON STOCK
2008-04-30
4
A
0
665
0
A
1330.3571
D
Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2006 Restricted Stock Plan vest in three equal annual installments commencing on April 30, 2009.
GINA MARIE BOOR FOR MICKEY L. JONES UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED 7/12/04
2008-05-01