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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-03-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294689</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mosso Robert B Mr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12 MORRIS LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WELLSBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>16901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON CLASS</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>431</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1150.6035</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 INSTALLMENTS COMMENCING ON MARCH 27, 2010.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GINA MARIE BOOR FOR ROBERT B. MOSSO UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED 6/17/2004</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0303
4
2009-03-27
0
0000739421
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
CZFS
0001294689
Mosso Robert B Mr
12 MORRIS LANE
WELLSBORO
PA
16901
0
1
0
0
VICE PRESIDENT
COMMON CLASS
2009-03-27
4
A
0
431
0
A
1150.6035
D
STOCK AWARDS GRANTED PURSUANT TO THE CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 2006 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN VEST IN THREE EQUAL INSTALLMENTS COMMENCING ON MARCH 27, 2010.
GINA MARIE BOOR FOR ROBERT B. MOSSO UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED 6/17/2004
2009-03-30