ServeNow Help Center

What is an Affidavit of Service?

2020-01-24T00:00:00-07:00

An Affidavit of Service - also known as a Proof of Service or Return of Service - is an important document provided by process servers after they have successfully served documents to someone. This affidavit is a notarized testimony signed by the server that details the time, date, manner of service, identity of the person served and other details of the job. If a party in the case claims to not have been notified of pending legal action, the Affidavit of Service can be presented to prove otherwise.

Create Affidavits with ServeManager

ServeManager is the only tool a process server needs to run their business. ServeManager’s affidavit editor allows users to easily create affidavits that can be printed, emailed, or saved for later. It’s quick and easy to edit new and previously saved affidavits.

Start a free trial account to test drive ServeManager’s affidavit editor.

Even if the process server isn’t able to serve the person, the affidavit can be used to prove due diligence. Using an Affidavit of Due Diligence, the server can show that he or she made a number of attempts and can detail the reasons why service of process was not possible. This Affidavit of Due Diligence shows that you made every effort to notify the other party or parties of pending legal proceedings.

What is in an affidavit of service?

The information included in a proof of service typically includes:

The time of service
The date of service
The manner of service
The identity of defendant
List of papers served
Any other pertinent job details

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Filing an Affidavit of Service

Once a process server serves the relevant legal documents, it is then their responsibility to file the affidavit form with the local court in order to confirm proper service of process. If this is not done or done incorrectly, the proceedings have the potential to be challenged or dismissed completely due to improper service of process. Similarly, if the affidavit of service form is proven fraudulent, the case may be dismissed and the process server subject to a civil suit for forgery of court documents, which is a criminal offense.

Sample Affidavit of Service

Download Sample Affidavit (PDF)

How to Get an Affidavit

There are a variety of sources where you can get an affidavit form depending on the intended purpose of the form in question. Official paperwork can be found by visiting local courts or sometimes court websites. Affidavit templates can also be found online and on websites like ServeManager. Remember that, in order to be considered valid, affidavits must be officially notarized.

Creating a Return of Service

Experienced process server Bret Bateman shares tips on creating a professional affidavit of service. He covers what needs to be included in an affidavit, who to send it to, where to find a template, and how to create one within ServeManager.

Advanced Affidavit Advice: Creating Bulletproof Affidavits

An important part of being a professional process server is producing clear and organized affidavits that will be accepted in court. In this ServeNowEDU Webinar, Torri Schaffer, a process server with over 25 years experience, discusses how to properly fill out and file an affidavit of service.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server on ServeNow.com, please do a search for a city or zip code or call (877) 737-8366.

Process Server License: Which States Require One?

2019-06-15T00:00:00-06:00

When hiring a process server to serve your legal documents, you need to make sure that the person meets all federal and state requirements related to service of process. In certain states, this means checking to make sure that the person has a process server license. Many states do not require servers to be licensed, although the number of states with mandatory licensing is quickly growing. Some states require that servers be registered in their county or state, or appointed to serve in a specific county.

Process server license requirements by state

The states listed below require a statewide process server license in order to become a process server:

In addition, Florida, Missouri, New York, and Tennessee all have local licensing laws regarding service of process in certain areas.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

The Advantages of All Process Servers

2017-07-17T00:00:00-06:00

In the United States, women’s rights have evolved tremendously. This is a nation in which an individual cannot be discriminated against because of his or her gender when it comes to applying to a job, and it is one in which women hold a record number of positions of authority in governing bodies. However, even though milestones have been achieved with regard to gender equality, gender segregation still occurs and its effects are still being studied. Is this the case in the process serving industry?

Women in the Process Serving Industry

The professional process service industry is a small industry — so small, in fact, that the United States Bureau of Labor & Statistics and O*Net do not keep statistics on process servers; instead, civil process servers are grouped in with sheriffs and sheriff deputies on the BLS. While it is true that some sheriffs may serve papers, they typically are not assigned to a unit that solely handles service of process, which obviously makes it an inaccurate comparison. No further data was available with regard to the breakdown of men and women in the process serving industry.

Despite being a niche profession, the professional process service industry appears to be largely unaffected by gender segregation. An article posted on BLS.gov highlights one process server, Rebecca, and her experiences as a process server. Although it seems that there are no public statistics kept on gender equality in the civil process service industry, women are serving process alongside their male counterparts, and men and women are serving alongside each other on the boards of professional process server associations.

In 2017, NAPPS (National Association of Professional Process Servers) along with the process server associations for the five states with the largest populations in the United States: CALSPRO (California Association of Professional Process Servers), TPSA (Texas Process Server Association), FAPPS (Flordia Association of Professional Process Servers), NYSPPSA (New York State Professional Process Servers Association) and ILAPPS (Illinois Association of Professional Process Servers), all have women serving on the board of directors. It is particularly noteworthy that both FAPPS and NYSPPSA currently have female presidents.

Advantages of All Process Servers

With men and women serving process alongside each other, it begs the question (for some) whether one gender is better than the other. The reality is, when it comes to hiring a process server, gender should be far down on your list of concerns (or ideally, not there at all).

Hiring a professional process server, regardless of gender, is a safe bet that your papers will be served within your state’s rules and regulations, and in a reliable and accurate manner.

When it comes to gender, character, size, stature, and attitude, the process server’s qualities may matter less than those of the defendant. Understanding who is to be served and the nature of a case can offer more insight into the level of difficulty serving papers. The prosecutor and process server should research the individual to be served in order to tailor the service so that effective service may be made quickly and accurately.

Difficult Service

Naturally, some may fear an unknown individual approaching their door, no matter their gender. The job of a process server is to deliver legal documents in a safe manner, for both themselves and the individual being served. Safety precautions do not differ when it comes to preparing for a difficult serve.

Serving during the day instead of late evening increases feelings of safety. Maintaining a friendly tone can ease worries and decrease hostile interactions. Process servers should also be aware of their appearance and dress in an appropriate manner so that their presence is understood as professional and legitimate.

Process servers can change their approach to appear less intimidating. Doing so could help improve public perception of process servers and help clarify their purpose. If public perception of process servers could change, process servers would be more effective, regardless of gender. This is because people may be less combative and more comfortable accepting papers.

Who to hire?

Are you looking to hire a process server and concerned about who would be the most effective? Instead of looking at gender, ask about the process server’s success rate, experience, and resources. A successful process server knows their strengths and weaknesses and works to serve papers with accuracy and efficiency.

Overall, regardless of gender, process servers have a distinct advantage over sheriffs or lay individuals when it comes to serving papers as their main focus is delivering legal documents. They are trained and experienced, increasing their chance of effectuating service successfully. When deliberating who to hire when you need service of process, look for an experienced and professional process server who fits the needs of your case.

Why Process Servers Are Best For Serving Eviction Notices

2017-05-22T00:00:00-06:00

When it comes to evicting tenants, landlords would be best served by having a process server handle the delivery of the eviction notice. The three-day eviction notice gives the tenant a warning that they must either pay past due rent owed or vacate the premises. Three-day eviction notices can also be served in situations where the landlord deems the tenant to be a nuisance due to agreement violations.

If the tenant does not pay or vacate within the three-day notice, the landlord can then continue with court proceedings to formally evict the tenant. Improperly providing this notice can work to the benefit of the tenant and jeopardize the landlord’s attempt to evict the tenant.

Each state has its own rules regarding the eviction process, and it is important that these rules are followed. Although in most states any person over the age of 18 is capable of serving the three-day eviction notice to the tenant, there are a number of reasons why a process server can provide extra benefits that may not seem overtly apparent. Keep reading to learn more.

The True Cost of Using a Process Server

The success of your eviction depends heavily on the tenant being properly served. Process servers are trained in how to serve process effectively and efficiently. Although process servers will charge a nominal fee to handle serving process, getting it done right the first time can save thousands in legal fees.

For example, if the tenant hires a lawyer and finds that the notice was served improperly, the landlord could be responsible for attorney fees and may even lose the property, which is what happened in Palm Property Investments, LLC v. Yadegar (2011). That case resulted in a lengthy court process that took years to resolve, along with a judgment of nearly $180,000 in attorney fees, which the landlord had to pay.

Overall, choosing to pay a process server to serve a 3-day eviction notice can eliminate the unnecessary risk of having to shell out extra money if the tenant decides to fight the eviction in court.

More Experienced and Knowledgeable

Additionally, experienced process servers are usually well versed in their state’s laws, whereas a non-professional individual chosen to serve process may not know the nuances of the law. Landlords may find themselves in a situation where the non-professional individual could jeopardize the efficacy of the service if the person serving did not follow the state’s guidelines for serving eviction notices.

An example of such a violation could be if the non-professional process server did not follow the state’s prescribed rules for where it is acceptable to serve the 3-day notice. The person could have simply dropped the service at the tenant’s place of work thinking that he or she was notified properly.

If this were to happen in Florida, the service could be deemed improper due to the state statutes, which state: “The delivery of the written notices required by subsections (1), (2), and (3) shall be by mailing or delivery of a true copy thereof or, if the tenant is absent from the premises, by leaving a copy thereof at the residence. The notice requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3) may not be waived in the lease.” Additionally, the statue has strict guidelines for the language of the notice.

Professional process servers who have chosen the field as their profession or livelihood are often members of professional process server associations, which keep process servers informed of changes in legislation. They also offer continuing education classes to keep process servers up to speed with any changes in the profession.

Proof of Service

Process servers will also provide extra proof that will show when and how your tenant was served by providing a notarized Affidavit of Service. Having proof of service is imperative in court proceedings as it avoids a conflict over whether or not the service was effectuated properly.

The service affidavit will show how the service was performed, when it occurred (including the time and date of service), and where it occurred. The process server will sign the Affidavit of Service that can be used as evidence in court.

Some process servers even have GPS technology that gives a date and time stamp along with GPS coordinates showing exactly when and where the service occurred. Others may also include pictures of the service or even video. Typically, a non-professional individual would not know to do this or have access to these additional resources.

Use a Process Server For 3-Day Eviction Notices

When a landlord needs to get a 3-day eviction notice served, using a process server can provide not only peace of mind but also proof that service occurred. That is why it is best to choose a professional process server when faced with having to evict a tenant.

If you are a landlord looking for a process server to give a 3-Day Eviction notice, search our directory to find a professional in your area.

What is a Process Server?

2017-01-02T00:00:00-07:00

The title “process server” is one that those in the legal field know all about, and those outside of the legal business probably have little to no understanding of. There are a lot of misconceptions about what process serving is and what is needed of process servers on a day-to-day basis.

Process Servers: A Brief History

To begin to describe what a modern-day process server does, let’s first start out with a little history of how and why process servers are needed. First, service of due process is a privilege set forth by the Constitution. This means that all citizens of the United States hold the right to be informed of being summoned, these legal guidelines are specified in the fifth and sixth amendments of the Constitution.

Process servers were intended as a messenger system to notify individuals of their constitutional right to due process of law by “serving” them with a notification that states the legal issue that specifically involves them. Originally, legal papers were typically served to individuals by their local county sheriff. As cities expanded in the United States, it became a challenging endeavor for local sheriffs to disperse court papers while attending to legal situations in their jurisdiction. There was a desire for an individual to deliver these papers legally and in a timely manner; for that reason, process servers were formed.

What does a process server do?

Process servers are needed in an assortment of tasks such as filing court papers, serving legal documents, and document retrieval. Their principal job is to deliver or “serve” legal documents to a defendant or person involved in a court case. After serving any legal documents, process servers have to deliver actual evidence that the legal papers were served. The verification that is offered is referred to as an affidavit of service or proof of service, which must be notarized and given to the individual or company who required the papers to be served. Process servers are legally required to serve papers in the correct manner laid out by their state. Process serving laws differ by state, so each individual process server may have a distinctive way of carrying out service.

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Why is service of process significant?

Service of process is necessary for many reasons, but the primary reason is to make sure that the due process of law is upheld in the United States. An additional reason process servers are an essential part of civil society is to ensure that legal papers are served in a highly effective and appropriate fashion. If papers aren’t served properly, the court is not able to rule on a case relating to an individual if they were not legally made aware of it. If service is determined to be improper, the entire case may be thrown out. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the laws of your state pertaining to the correct way to serve a defendant legally.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server on ServeNow.com, please do a search for a city or zip code or call (877) 737-8366.

Process Servers Trump Local Sheriffs and Constables

2016-11-08T00:00:00-07:00

Civil process service is an integral component of due process and of our legal systems, and we rely on others to serve process in order to ensure that every person’s right to due process is upheld. In many states across the country, civil process service can be completed by anyone over the age of 18 and who is not a party to court proceedings. Although there are some states in which civil process service can only be served by a sheriff, constable, marshal, or bailiff, there are many states that allow its people their choice of private process server, sheriff, constable, marshal, or bailiff. Here are a few reasons why, when given a choice, you should always opt for a private process server:

Politics Muddling Service of Process

Because private process servers aren’t elected officials, you won’t have to worry about them getting caught up in the politics of funding, workloads, and political influence. It’s an unfortunate reality that many departments struggle with politics in getting in the way of completing the job. For example, in Tennessee, private process servers, sheriffs departments, and constables are all permitted to serve court documents, but one constable recently expressed concerns that the workload wasn’t fairly being distributed. Last year, in Milwaukee County Wisconsin, a bill for funding was reportedly vetoed due to incendiary comments that the sheriff made. In that county, the sheriff’s department is responsible for civil process service, which means that without appropriate funding, manpower and service could suffer.

Technology Limits

Again, funding often plays a role here. Sheriff's departments have intricate systems that handle a whole lot more than just civil process service. As a result, upgrading technology typically requires a massive overhaul, which means that the technology involved in civil process service (cameras, document scanners, GPS, etc.) may not be the best. For example, in North Carolina, the Pitt County Sheriff’s department just received a part of a grant (they are sharing it with the Greenville Police Department), which will pay for “necessities they couldn't afford in their budgets,” which includes body cameras and other equipment. Successful private process servers aren’t reliant upon government budgets to invest in the type technology needed to meet their clients’ requirements.

A Matter of Priorities

As we mentioned, private process servers aren’t caught up with other preoccupations (other job responsibilities, politics, etc.), which means that your service will be a priority. They won’t have any other types of jobs that will interfere with yours because their job is, in most cases, solely to serve process. Some process servers may handle court filing, skip filing, and private detective work, but in those instances, the companies are likely large-scale and have entire departments that explicitly handle each task, or they schedule their workload accordingly. Because the livelihood and business of a private process server depend on getting the work, they won’t be distracted from getting the job done.

Process Servers Provide Expeditious and Thorough Service

A survey of over 100 paralegals, legal assistants, and legal secretaries conducted in late 2011 showed that civil process servers consistently outperformed sheriff’s departments in speed, (90% of the time, process servers were faster), knowledge, and success rate. Because process servers work independently and aren’t on a scheduled shift, they can choose to make service attempts outside of non-traditional business hours when recipients are more likely to be available.

For example, in Palm Beach County Florida, the Sheriff’s department processes more than 120,000 requests for civil process service annually. The Civil Process Service Unit, which consists of 194 Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Court Services professionals, has limited hours, posted on the website as 8:30am until 4:30pm. While the Sheriff’s Department may still make three separate attempts, you can’t guarantee that they will be spaced out or attempted in a manner that would result in the highest probability that the documents could be served. Private process servers often abide by client requests to serve at specific times, and they may even have training for their process servers that require them to space out their attempts.

Choose Private Process Servers

Overall, independent, private process servers are still the best choice when it comes to civil process service because of their dedication to the job, efficiency, and ability to meet clients’ needs.

6 Things Process Servers Can't Do

2016-04-11T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's Note: There have been some contrasting opinions regarding the legality of looking in a person's mailbox. We've invited readers to participate in a discussion and share their interpretations of the law on LinkedIn and in the comments below.

Process servers are tasked with delivering important court documents to individuals for a variety of reasons. It’s certainly not an easy job, and it’s also a job that many people have misconceptions about. Sometimes, the recipient isn’t thrilled to receive the documents, and it can be difficult to effectuate service. Civil process service has a variety of regulations that vary depending on location, so process servers must be sure to stay up to date with state and local laws as they are always changing.

Many process servers are also private investigators. If you’re curious about what private investigators can't do, we have a list of tips on PInow.

Process servers should always serve documents with integrity, and will keep in mind these don’ts when attempting service:

1. Don't Guess at the Rules

Because of the complex nature of civil process service, you cannot assume that your state’s rules are applicable throughout the entire U.S. Each state carries its own set of rules when it comes to how service can be made, what days service can be attempted (for example, some states prohibit service on Sundays and holidays), who can accept service, and how documents are handled.

Process server Sheri Snyder added to a group discussion on Linkedin that “In Texas no substitute service of state papers without a court order to do so.” Be cognizant of laws regarding subservice as well as the regulations regarding traditional service.

Greg Urroz also commented “...Only 10 states do not allow service of process on Sundays. Every state is different. If you send work out of state, you need to include an instruction sheet with your state's rules of civil procedure. Do not expect the out of state server to know your rules. If you receive work from out of state, look up their rules of civil procedure.”

As a professional process server, it’s imperative that you be familiar with all the rules of civil process in the state in which you will attempt service prior to actually attempting service. If you are unsure of the laws regarding service, check out our directory, or for the most current laws, visit your state’s judicial branch website.

2. Don't Touch That Mailbox!

While there is no crime against visually seeing (with your eyes only) an address that is in plain view, it is a crime to meddle with or open someone else’s mail. This means that you cannot open someone’s mailbox or go through a stack of mail, even if the stack is in view.

We've seen a lot of debate as to whether it's legal to check a person's mailbox. Want to add your opinion? Comment below or join our discussion on LinkedIn about mailbox opening legality.

What Does the Law Say?

18 U.S. Code § 1708 - Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally

Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains, or attempts so to obtain, from or out of any mail, post office, or station thereof, letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route or other authorized depository for mail matter, or from a letter or mail carrier, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or abstracts or removes from any such letter, package, bag, or mail, any article or thing contained therein, or secretes, embezzles, or destroys any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein; or

Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein which has been left for collection upon or adjacent to a collection box or other authorized depository of mail matter; or

Whoever buys, receives, or conceals, or unlawfully has in his possession, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein, which has been so stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted, as herein described, knowing the same to have been stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted—

Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1708

What Has the Post Office Said in the Past?

Mailbox access restricted to postage paid U.S. Mail

The Postal Service wants to ensure the integrity of our customer’s mailbox. That’s why only Postal Service personnel are authorized to place mail in or remove mail from mailboxes. In fact, U.S. Postal Inspectors advise customers to report people going mailbox to mailbox who are not postal employees. It could be someone completely unaware of the statute placing advertisements, but it could also be someone trying to steal mail.

We recognize that, from time to time, the statute and the Postal regulations may cause conflict with some customers," the Postmaster continued. "When all factors are brought to their attention, however, we hope that the great majority of the public would agree that restricting mailboxes to U.S. Mail not only ensures customers receive their mail, but it also increases the security of the service.

The Postmaster noted an exception to the general rule: newspapers can be placed in mailboxes only on Sunday; a non-delivery day for the Postal Service. He additionally noted that a newspaper receptacle can be mounted on rural or curbside mailbox post or support.

Source: https://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/2010/tx_2010_0909.htm

We've seen process servers weigh in on both sides of this debate. Some say it's legal, some say it isn't. How do you interpret the law? Want to add your comments to this discussion? Use the comments below or head over to the conversation on LinkedIn to share your view.

3. Don't Pretend To Be Something You're Not

Ultimately, your job is to deliver court documents, and sometimes it may require you to get creative to reach evasive defendants. Keep in mind that being creative shouldn’t mean being deceptive by attempting service under false pretenses or violating state laws.

Did you know?

4. ...Which Also Means Don't Pretend to Be Law Enforcement

By definition, civil process servers are not police officers. While many retired and off-duty police officers may take up this occupation as a part-time job, it’s important that the distinction is made. It is illegal in all states to impersonate a police officer or government official, and some states also consider it a crime to use police equipment (e.g. red and blue flashing lights or a fake badge) to imply that you are a police officer.

5. Breaking and Entering is Still Breaking and Entering

If someone refuses to come to the door or just doesn’t answer, you are still bound by the laws that prevent you from breaking into and entering a residence or business illegally. Just because you have documents to serve doesn’t mean you can break the law to do it.

6. Trespassing is Trespassing, Unless...

Similarly, unless your state has written specific laws that allow process servers to ignore no-trespassing signs or gates, you cannot ignore them. Process server Mark Burrow provided an excellent tip that some states use color to denote no trespassing: In Texas, purple paint displayed a certain way on fence posts and gates denotes ‘No Trespassing,’ taught in our Texas Process Servers Training Class. Other states have similar laws but require different color paint, [for] example orange or lime green.”

Check with your local laws regarding civil process servers and trespassing because it can vary from state to state.

A Lot More Don'ts, and Even More Do's

Process servers have a difficult job — not just in the nature of attempting service alone, but in staying current with federal and state regulations, which are often changing, especially with updates to current technology. Process servers always do the best job they can to stay apprised of the updated legislation. Most join local civil process service associations or online industry groups to help stay current with the ever-changing laws.

Find a local, pre-screened process server today.

ServeNow is the trusted network of process servers. To find a professional process server, search for a city or zip code.

Guidelines: How to Hire a Process Server

2016-03-29T00:00:00-06:00

If you would like to hire a process server, you are looking for someone who is reputable, organized, and professional. To hire a process server, simply contact process servers in your area and ask for quotes and service options. Most, if not all, process servers are available by phone and email and will be able to answer questions regarding legal service of process and what their company offers.

Locate a competent process server.

If you do not have time to personally look through the credentials of the many process servers in your area, consider employing a professional from ServeNow.com, a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. By only accepting knowledgeable servers in our network, ServeNow.com takes away the uncertainty from hiring a server in the U.S. or internationally.

Process servers should be familiar with the local rules and regulations, courthouses, and their coverage area. Feel free to ask process servers questions about the service and factors that will help you make your hiring decision. Job attempts, success rate, and what to expect are great starter questions.

Do a comparison of rates, and anticipate paying more for faster service.

The cost of having papers served frequently depends on how many attempts it takes and what turn-around-time is anticipated. Same-day or rush services ordinarily cost more. A “routine” service that takes between five and seven days can cost as little as $20 or as much as $100 in some locations. The national average is between $45 and $75. You might want to check with a few different professionals in your area to compare costs before you agree to employ someone. Keep in mind that your final intention is to have your documents effectively served, so the expertise and practical knowledge of the process server are substantially more important than the cost of the service.

It is important to note what you are getting for the cost of the service. Since process servers customize their services, some may be more expensive because they offer more serve attempts, multiple addresses, or including skip tracing. Make sure that you understand what is included in the cost of service before making your final decision.

Look for association memberships.

If a server is a member of local and/or national associations, he or she is probably to be up-to-date on ethics and regulations applicable to the profession. It is important to select an expert who is familiar with the appropriate laws in your state because someone who violates the law will result in an unacceptable service for you.

Check your state's laws regarding process servers to see if your state requires licensing. If so, make sure that your process server's license is up to date.

Learn about the server’s communication methods.

Is it critical to you to be able to effortlessly contact the process server for information? Do you wish to know the moment the service is accomplished? Make certain you ask the process serving firm you are considering hiring about how and when they will be in touch with you. One effortless way to work together with servers and obtain electronic updates is to use ServeManager software, which is comparable to online tracking of packages from the major delivery companies.

A process server should quickly and reliably respond to emails and phone calls. If there is a strict deadline, you will want to be able to easily reach your process server for updates and affidavit status. Recognizing their communication standards before hiring can be a good indicator of how responsive they will be if you hire them.

Make it uncomplicated for the process server to serve your papers.

No matter who you hire, provide the server with as much information as possible so they can find and serve the subject. The more you give the process server to work with, the higher the success rate. Information that you can give to assist the server includes up-to-date residential and/or business addresses, telephone numbers, vehicle descriptions, work hours, physical descriptions and even photos.

How do I find a trusted local process server?

Ideally, a process server is local, experienced, and communicative. ServeNow makes it easy to find an ideal process server for you. Contact the process servers in our network to see if they can help you serve your papers. ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

The 19 Most Popular Help Center Articles of 2015

2016-01-04T00:00:00-07:00

The ServeNow Help Center aims to answer the common, questions, and concerns of the individuals, companies, and corporations who hire process servers to serve their legal documents. With the year coming to a close, we looked at the most popular articles to get a sense of what concerns process servers' clients most.

Here are the Most Popular Posts from the ServeNow Help Center in 2015!

1. What is a Process Server??

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2. What is an Affidavit of Service?

An Affidavit of Service - also known as a Proof of Service - is an important document provided by process servers after they have successfully served documents to someone. This affidavit is a notarized testimony signed by the server that details the time, date, manner of service, identity of the person served and other details of the job. If a party in the case claims to not have been notified of pending legal action, the Affidavit of Service can be presented to prove otherwise.

Read Full Article

3. How To Serve a Subpoena

When handling legal matters or investigations, individuals needed to testify or provide physical evidence can be difficult to locate or uncooperative. A process server can ensure that a subpoena is served in a timely and legal fashion.

Read Full Article

4. How to Hire a Process Server

If you would like to hire a process server, you are looking for someone who is reputable, organized and professional. But how can you locate and hire these people? This article will supply a few common suggestions.

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5. How to Have Legal Documents Served in Another State

So, you need to serve someone out of state. Maybe they moved, maybe you moved, or it’s always been that way— but the big question is, how do you go about having that individual (or corporation) served? This situation happens frequently (more often than the general public may realize), with some process servers estimating that up to 25% of their serves originate from out of state, according to a poll we conducted. Although this type of service requires a little bit more work on the process server’s end, it is completely possible to have that individual served. Let’s take a more detailed look at how this process works.

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6. How To Serve Divorce Papers

The initial stages of filing for divorce can be an emotional and conflicted time. During this period of change a process server can take the frustration of initiating the dissolution of marriage out of your hands.

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7. Process Server vs. Sheriff: Infographic

When you need to have legal papers served, the choice between a process server and sheriff can be a difficult one. To help you decide, ServeNow created a graphic representation, or infographic, of data gathered from 100 paralegals, legal assistants, and legal administrators who have papers served regularly. The results were based on speed of service, customer service, knowledge of laws, success rate, and average cost.

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8. How to Serve Small Claims Forms

Depending on which state the claim is filed in, small claims court generally involves cases where the plaintiff is suing for $5,000 or less. Small claims cases can include suing for back rent, return of security deposit or down payment, payment for work provided, property damage, defective merchandise, or breach of written or verbal contract. By eliminating the use of a lawyer and jury and simplifying evidence requirements, small claims court provides a more efficient and less expensive way to file a claim.

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9. What is Substituted Service?

Service of process is the deliverance of legal documents that officially request someone’s presence in court. There are several ways to serve someone with these documents, including substituted service.

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10. How to Serve Eviction Notices

Though it can be stressful and unpleasant to evict a tenant, it is sometimes unavoidable. As a landlord, you must take certain steps as established in your state's landlord and tenant laws to set the eviction in motion. Read on to learn how a process server can help you follow all aspects of the legal eviction process.

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11. Need a Process Server?

What you don’t know about process serving can get you in trouble or get your case thrown out of court. Newspapers across Ohio had some pretty unusual headlines at the end of June, thanks to the dramatic arrest of the president of the Medina County Bar Association. The crime? The attorney was arrested for trespassing on someone’s property – while he was trying to serve some court documents. Witnesses claimed that the attorney, who was serving papers related to a case he was working on, did not knock and instead walked into a woman’s garage then handed her a subpoena. According to local laws, this would constitute trespassing. The situation has now become even more complicated for the Medina County attorney – his client is facing problems with the case and now he has to fight his own legal battles before being able to help his client with their case.

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12. What is a Registered Agent for Service of Process?

All 50 states in America like their citizens to be able to track down representatives of companies from other states. They do not like the idea of an entity that is hard to reach simply because its office is across the border, especially if that entity does business within the state. States want to be sure that their regulators and tax collectors do not have too hard a time finding a local stand-in for a company, regardless of where that company makes its home, and they want their own citizens to have relatively easy access to someone who is authorized to accept service of process in the event of a lawsuit.

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13. How To Serve Legal Papers on an Indian Reservation

With over 300 Indian Reservations throughout the US, it’s probable that at one time or another, you might need to attempt service on an individual who resides within an Indian Reservation. It is undoubtedly a unique service request, and it requires special care due to the federal laws that protect Indian Reservations and those who reside within them.

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14. How to Serve Foreclosure Papers

A foreclosure is a lengthy process with a host of requirements that must be met before the foreclosure can be considered legally valid. It proceeds in very deliberate stages and each stage must be properly conducted and properly documented. Anything less can open the door to challenges that, in the worst case, can invalidate the entire process.

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15. Landlord-Tenant Disputes: How Process Servers Can Help

As a landlord, you can be faced with dealing with a variety of situations regarding your tenants. Whether the tenant has not paid their rent, engaged in illegal activity, or violated other terms and conditions of their lease, these types of disputes typically result in the tenant being evicted. While evicting a tenant is never a pleasant process, enlisting the help of a process server can make things a bit easier on your end.

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16. Are You Being Served?

A slender woman faced a glowering man who stood at the front of his house, his hostility flaring because of a delivery she was trying to make. Chris Telega was there to serve legal papers. First, the man denied he was the person named on the papers, then he demanded Telega show him her identification. When she stepped toward her car to fetch her ID, he shoved her. Telega whipped out a can of pepper spray and pointed it at hi

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17. What Is Skip Tracing?

Proceeding with a court action can be difficult when the party to be served with papers has disappeared. People can move, change their phone numbers, get married and use different names. It can be almost impossible to find out where they are. One of the benefits of working with process servers is that they are also skip trace professionals. Along with serving papers, they also find those on whom papers must be served.

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18. Hiring a Process Server Checklist

Having your legal documents served is a very important part of the litigation process, and many people may not know how to hire a process server or what to ask. Hiring the wrong process server could result in costly delays and even having your case dismissed, so we've compiled a checklist of things to look for and avoid. It's important to locate a trusted professional, verify their qualifications and be mindful of their fees. There are other helpful hints that we've included, and hopefully, this makes the process of hiring a process server a little easier.

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19. Do I Need to Hire a Process Server?

Hiring a professional process server will save you time and frustration, and it is beneficial to the outcome of your legal matter. Some states only require that the person serving the legal documents be at least 18 years old and not a party to the case, but if the person you get to serve the documents operates outside the boundaries of the law, your case could be jeopardized.

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Landlord-Tenant Disputes: How Process Servers Can Help

2015-03-03T00:00:00-07:00

How a Process Server Can Help

There are a multitude of ways in which you can use a process server. When you decide to evict a tenant, you need to provide them with a written notice that essentially serves as a warning to the tenant that can also be used in court proceedings down the line if things escalate. There are typically three types of evictions: failure to pay, breach of lease, or an unconditional eviction for other reasons (perhaps you no longer wish to maintain the property or you want to lease it to a family member, etc.), and each one requires a notice of varying lengths (ranging from three to 90 days on average). Check with your local courts to find the exact regulations for your county.

Most states require that landlords provide tenants with a written notice prior to eviction proceedings, and if you fail to provide them with this notice, it could damage your case against the tenant or cause them to file a lawsuit against you for wrongful eviction. Both repercussions can be costly, so it is best to avoid this possibility and make sure the tenant receives the notice.

Having a process server hand deliver this notice will show that you are serious, but more than that, it will ensure that the tenant actually receives the notice. While the US Mail service is reliable, the tenant could claim that it was stolen from their mailbox, that it was never delivered to them, or that someone else received it. Making sure the tenant receives the notice is important because sometimes just a warning is enough to make tenants get their act together. In other cases, you may need to pursue the eviction. No matter which way the relationship ends up, using a process server to deliver this important document eliminates the potential for tenants to claim that they did not receive the notice.

Further down the line, you may need to contact a lawyer and pursue a legal claim against your tenant. Again, there will be notifications and documents that the tenants will need to receive regarding the formal eviction proceedings, such as the writ of possession.

You may also need to serve an eviction notice on unnamed occupants. In the event that the tenant had a significant other, family member, friend, or someone else move in who is not on the lease, you will need to cover your bases and have these people or person notified as well. By notifying unnamed occupants, you are making sure that you have done everything you can to notify anyone and everyone living on the premises.

Why Use a Process Server

Although local and state laws vary regarding the use of a process server, choosing to use a process server when you are able is certainly going to make the eviction process go more smoothly for you. Process servers can provide a variety of benefits to landlords that may not be overtly apparent.

Process servers are professional and impartial. It’s their job to provide due process and to make sure that important court documents are handled and delivered legally. Jonathan Levy of Nationwide Process Servers and Private Investigation Services explained that process servers act as “A disinterested third party i.e. process server is in the best interest of all parties involved. The tenant and landlord are joined by the actions of a process server. Not using a process server or a disinterested party could lead to false or misleading statements which could not allow the tenant proper due process or the landlord lawful litigation.”

Find a Process Server

Looking for a pre-screened process server? Type in the city or county below.

Process servers can also help in situations where the landlord does not live near the property. In situations where there is a dispute between the tenant and landlord, the tenant may be expecting an eviction notice and try to avoid receiving it. It would be incredibly inconvenient to drive out of state to deliver an eviction notice, only to have the tenant avoid you. Process servers are a great choice in these cases because they can handle notifying the tenant locally.

Another benefit to hiring a process server is that your tenant will likely not recognize the process server. This is especially helpful if your tenant is expecting notification and avoiding service. Since they won’t know the process server, they won’t know to avoid him or her. Process servers are skilled in making sure that individuals receive important documents — they have the experience that you as the landlord don’t have.

Other times, where using a process server include situations where the relationship between the tenant and landlord is volatile or hostile. The tenant may also be personally intimidating to the landlord for other reasons. Having a third party serve the documents will eliminate the emotional element of facing your tenant.

At the end of the day, it’s important to treat tenants fairly and with respect, but you also need to take care of your property and legal liabilities. Hiring a process server at the right time can help make sure that you are providing tenants with due diligence in the event that you need to pursue eviction. Be sure to consult with an attorney if you need to pursue an eviction in court. Process servers act as a third party and make sure that tenants receive the right information, but they cannot represent you, give legal advice, or handle your case.

How to Have Legal Documents Served in Another State

2015-01-20T00:00:00-07:00

If you need a process server to serve your papers in another state, use our search bar above to find a process server in that area!

Before You Get Started

Make sure that service can be legally attempted out of state. Cases such as real estate or motor vehicle accidents allow servers to serve defendants not residing in the state in which the lawsuit was filed. However, if you need to have a process server serve a witness or attempt service in another type of case, you or your attorney may be required to file in the state in which that person lives. If you’re an individual and unsure of how to go about filing your suit, you may want to consult a legal professional to determine the correct procedure to accomplish this.

When you are faced with finding a server to carry out service upon an individual (or corporation) who lives out of state, it’s vital to understand that each state has its own legislation regarding civil process service regulations. In some counties and in certain cases, legislation may require process servers to obtain permission from the sheriff’s office or a governing body before serving the papers. For example, in Kansas, process servers must request special permission of the county clerk to serve process. This is not the case in Wisconsin, where any adult resident of the state who is not a party to the action can attempt service. Other counties or states may even require service attempts via certified mail before using a process server.

The more information you can give [your process server], the better chance there is to have effective service. Rules vary from state to state, even county to county in some cases, like in Florida, and it’s unrealistic to think that our process servers will know all the nuances of the rules. We do our best to check up on them, and we have fact sheets on each state’s rules that we give our servers, but it’s important for our clients to be educated as well and inform us if there are any special circumstances or rules that we should know.

Michael Kern, Kern Legal Services

There may also be specific rules for when and how service is attempted; for example, in some states, service cannot be attempted on Sundays or holidays. We spoke with Michael Kern of Kern Legal Services, who said that “The more information you can give [your process server], the better chance there is to have effective service. Rules vary from state to state, even county to county in some cases, like in Florida, and it’s unrealistic to think that our process servers will know all the nuances of the rules. We do our best to check up on them, and we have fact sheets on each state’s rules that we give our servers, but it’s important for our clients to be educated as well and inform us if there are any special circumstances or rules that we should know.”

If you’re looking for a resource that outlines the states that prohibit service on Sundays or holidays, see the list below.

Florida: no service on Sundays
Maine: no service on Sundays
Massachusetts: no service on Sundays
Minnesota: no service on Sundays and Holidays
New York: no service on Sundays or upon a person who keeps Saturday as holy time
Rhode Island: no service on Sunday
South Dakota: no service on Sundays
Tennessee: no service on Sundays except when by Court Order
Texas: certain restrictions for service on Sundays depending on the documents
Virginia: no service on Sundays
West Virginia: no service on Sundays

For further specifics on serving papers in a particular state, take a look at Rules of Civil Procedure by State. It’s also advisable to check with the court in which the documents were filed to see if there are any specific requirements that you might not know.

It’s also important to know whether or not personal service is required, if the documents can be posted, or if the service can be made on a substitute party. You may also be required to file documents electronically or you may be required to file the original stamped documents. Beyond these general rules, a number of courts have specific documents that must be used. Your process server can help you through this process or at least point you in the right direction to find out necessary details if you’re unsure.

The rules for what constitutes legal and effective service will vary depending on three key factors:

The type of case (i.e. real estate, debt collection),
The originating state (where the suit was originally filed), and
The state in which the documents need to be served.

Each case will be different, which is why Step 1 for this process is always to research the requirements for your unique circumstance so that you can come to the process server with an educated perspective.

Filing with the Court and Gathering Information to Share with the Process Server

Having an out-of-state individual or corporation served is relatively simple if you’re prepared.

On the surface, out-of-state service is not that different from in-state service. Just as you would with a case that is in the same state in which you filed, the first step in effectuating civil process service begins before you even contact a process server. But first, you need to make sure that you gather the information pertaining to your case and file with the proper court. Once you do this and the Summons and Complaint are ready to be served, you will want to do some preliminary research to get information on the person to be served.

In addition to providing the court documents (which will have the name and last known address of the individual to be served), it is helpful to gather additional details for your process server. While the basic information provided on the court documents is enough for a server to attempt service, a current physical description of the person to be served along with any other identifiable information (e.g. they drive a late model blue sedan) is absolutely helpful for process servers.

Additional information that can be helpful to the process server:

Name
Address
Physical description
Photograph
Vehicle description and/or license plate number
Work schedule
Nature of the case (i.e. violence, assault, domestic, dog bite)

Randy Mucha, Manager of Client Services, Civil Process and Vendor Relations at Firefly Legal, explained that “As far as information needed about the defendant, more is always better, but a name and address will suffice. In a perfect world, I would love to know their work schedule so I know when they are most likely to be at home, or what times they come and go. If I am facing a potential avoider, then things like a photograph and vehicle description would be helpful as well.”

As far as information needed about the defendant, more is always better, but a name and address will suffice. In a perfect world, I would love to know their work schedule so I know when they are most likely to be at home, or what times they come and go. If I am facing a potential avoider, then things like a photograph and vehicle description would be helpful as well.

Randy Mucha, Firefly Legal

Kern also emphasized that the nature of the case is also important to disclose. “We had a case where a client of ours needed documents served in a dog bite case. Our process server wasn’t made aware of this, and our process server got bit. So, we try to stress that it’s important to know any special circumstances of the case — especially if its one that involves violence, assault, or other situations where our process server needs to use precaution, be prepared, and have protection.” Kern also echoed Randy Mucha’s sentiments that pictures, descriptions, and really any identifiable information that a person can give is important to relay to your process server. While it might not seem necessary at first, giving the process server accurate descriptions can help them have a better chance at serving the documents. Kern explained that “We also had a divorce case where we needed to serve documents, and we asked for a picture of the individual to be served. The reason is that we may end up talking to that individual and he could claim that he isn’t that person when in fact he is. If we have a picture, we could identify that he is the person and serve him the documents. Without that photograph, we might not know and end up not serving them.”

Your process server may also ask for additional details to ensure that they will be targeting the right individual. Kern explained that “Every client should have realistic expectations of service, enough information, proper documents, and communication with their process server.”

Finding a Civil Process Server

If you’re already using a local process server, start by contacting them. They likely already get asked some variation of “I am trying to serve docs in Florida, but I live in Georgia, how does that work?” and are used to handling out-of-state cases. Most process servers will be happy to refer you to a colleague or affiliate if they are unable to provide service.

To view a list of process servers in your state or the area where you require service (including those who offer services statewide), search using the widget below.

Find a Process Server

Looking for a pre-screened process server? Type in the city or county below.

Many process servers listed on our site are also members of professional organizations like the National Association of Professional Process Servers or state associations and are up to date with regulation changes and maintain proper licensing. These affiliations are listed in our member profiles.

Having the Documents Served

After you find a process server, you will provide them with the appropriate service documents, including the Summons and Complaint or other legal documents in the proper format. Depending on the type of service and legislation requirements, you may be able to send your server copies; however, you may be required to send the original court documents. You will definitely want to check with the courts to determine what’s appropriate in your state and county. Once the process server has determined if copies can be served, your process server may ask that you scan and email the documents, fax the documents, or potentially upload the documents online to their civil process software.

The process server will then take all necessary measures to serve the documents.

After Service is Completed

Once your server has completed service, make sure you are provided with a completed service affidavit that you can file with the court (some process servers may even do this for you). The service affidavit is essentially your proof that service attempts were made — it is a signed, notarized affidavit from the server in which he or she attests that they attempted service. If the server was able to serve the individual, the affidavit will also include the date and time of service, including a physical description of that individual. If the server was unable to serve the individual, that reason would also be detailed in the service affidavit. The more detail included in the affidavit the better. Randy Mucha also explained that when Firefly Legal is working with an out-of-state vendor, they review the state requirements and also “stress the importance of a properly completed, signed, and notarized affidavit returned to me in a timely manner.” Completing this last step is critical to successfully completing service.

Common Questions

Below are some common questions about having legal documents served in another state.

How much will service cost?

No matter what process server you choose, it’s important to understand that out-of-state services are typically more costly because it requires quite a bit more legwork than in-state service. This is also true even if you’re working with a large process serving company who has affiliates or vendors in the state in which you need service. Furthermore, it is often more difficult to get a current and accurate description and last known address for individuals who are out of state, and the process server you choose may need to conduct a skip trace to find that information. Expect to pay more for out of state service than you would local service. You also may be required to pay prior to service being attempted.

What if I don’t know where the person lives?

In some cases, you may not know where the defendant/individual to be served resides. In these cases, a process server has resources and contacts that can locate this information using a skip trace. This will produce the last known address for the person to be served, and then service attempts can be made.

What if I’m on a tight deadline for a court case?

Be sure to communicate the deadlines you are under to your server. Many process servers offer rush services, which allow for due process (meaning a diligent effort has been made to serve the individual). Rush service can get the person you need to be served in the time frame you need service accomplished.

How will I get documents to the server?

Getting documents to your server depends in part on the case itself (you may need to mail the original documents to your server — check with the court in which the case was filed) and also on your server. If copies can be served, there are a variety of ways to get the documents to your server. Your server may ask that you upload them online to their secure website. You may be asked to fax or email scanned copies of the documents. You may also mail documents. Your process server will tell you which method they prefer or require.

What if the process server can’t get the documents served?

If the server attempts the defendant at that address and is unable to serve the defendant, there are alternate means of service to get the individual served or notified that can be approved by a judge.

Depending on the type of the case, service may be made by publication (in the event it’s a foreclosure or eviction) in a newspaper may be an option. You may be able to serve a wife or husband (e.g. substitute service). Other options include posting service (literally posting the notice on the door of the home of the individual to be served) or drop service, depending on the state and terms. In some cases, you may not be able to move forward with the case until you are able to get the defendant properly served. This may require attempting service on known aliases (which would require filing new paperwork with the court) or on new addresses once this information can be found. You also may need to re-attempt service at the known address. Regardless of the challenges in attempting service, it is highly unlikely that you would not be able to get the individual served.

What if the documents aren’t served properly

Improper service can derail the entire case by causing deadlines to be missed; it can even cause the entire process to start over. As with any other case, improper service can result in fees, fines, rescheduled hearings, and even dismissal of the case. Additionally, even if service attempts are made correctly, not getting a signed and notarized service affidavit— and/or not getting it back in time— can negate the service altogether. Given the potential legal ramifications and court delays, as well as differing Rules of Civil Procedure by state, it's in your best interest to contact a process server early on in this process.

Earlier, we stressed the importance of finding a properly licensed (where applicable) process server who is up to date with current laws and regulation surrounding process service. The reason we stressed this is that it is important for civil process service to be conducted properly.

What if I need to serve documents in another country?

International service, although not as common as out of state service, is still a type of service that process servers have encountered before. In these instances, you will follow the same procedure that you follow for out-of-state service, keeping in mind that the courts and legislation is likely much different than what we have established in the U.S. In these scenarios, it's best that you work directly with a process server who has experience serving process internationally rather than trying to understand the regulations of another country.

In addition to finding a process server who is familiar with serving documents internationally, you will need to do your due diligence to make sure that the service and documents are acceptable to the court in which the lawsuit was filed in the terms outlined by the presiding judge. Before initiating service, make sure you are in accordance with any treaties (i.e. The Hague Convention or Inter-American Service Convention) between the US and the country in which service will need to be conducted. You may need to have a formal letter sent by your court to the court in the country you wish to have an individual served to be granted permission.

These are a few ways in which service can be conducted internationally:

Have a government authority serve the documents.
Serve the documents by certified mail.
Serve the documents by publication.
Have documents served in person by an agent.
Have the individual sign a waiver.
Service through a social media website.

You will notice that a lot of these methods of service are similar to the ways in which we serve process in the U.S. This list represents some of the basic ways in which service of process can be conducted overseas. Please keep in mind that there may be more detail involved, so be sure to review the rules of service for the specific country where service would be carried out before you get started. These rules can be complex, but your attorney or international process server can help you understand the laws, or at the very least show you where you can find out more information or detail about your situation.

If you find yourself in need of a process server who can handle international service, contact us and we will connect you with a server who specializes in international service.

Service Complete

Whether you encounter a case that requires out-of-state, international, or a standard in-state service, it is our goal to make sure you are educated and have a basic understanding of how civil process service works. For more information on serving process, visit our Help Center.

Note: Each process server will have his or her own process and workflow for dealing with out-of-state serves. Please remember that you may be asked for additional information or be asked to follow a different workflow and that rules and regulations differ in each state. Process servers who wish to add details of how this process works for them can do so in the comments below.

More Information on Out of Area Process Service:

Intricacies of International Process Service

11 Predictions for Process Serving in 2014

2014-01-12T00:00:00-07:00

Find out what process servers, industry leaders, and association board members predict will happen in the process serving industry in 2014. The group touches on a number of relevant topics, including e-service, technology, and regulations.

To download your copy of 11 Predictions for Process Serving in 2014, please complete the survey in full below. If you do not want to fill out the survey, no problem! Just check the box next to "No thanks, just give me the download" and click submit. The download link will appear on the confirmation page for you to access.

The below survey helps us gather statistics for insights into the process serving industry. This information is useful to touch base with current process servers and see any new trends and changes, and your opinions.

Lawgical Cases: Video Walkthrough and FAQs

2012-01-11T00:00:00-07:00

Lawgical Cases allows members and end users to collaborate on jobs in one place. Click here to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions for the future. To learn more about using Lawgical Cases, watch the video below or browse the FAQs.

PLEASE NOTE: Though the above tutorial showcases ServeNow.com, the same workflow can be applied while using PInow.com

Lawgical Cases FAQs:

What information do I need to send with the quote?

Be as specific as possible. Include contact information, location and where you'll require service, the details of your case and any other relevant information. You should also request information on pricing, additional fees, and communication.

What is a quote? How is that different then a job?

A quote is the estimated cost to complete a job provided by the professional. When you’ve decided on using a particular member of our network, you may accept their quote-- at which point the quote becomes a job. You may have multiple quotes for a single case but you will usually only accept one to become the job.

Why did my quote expire?

Quotes that are not accepted within 7 days of your original request date expire. If you have not heard from any of our members, feel free to call us at (877) 737-8366.

Why do I need an account?

In order to submit a request for a quick quote, you must have a Lawgical account. This will give you access to Lawgical Cases--a dashboard that allows you to manage all quotes and requests from one platform. You can receive quotes from an individual company or multiple quotes for a single job. Once you’ve accepted a quote, you’ll be able to maintain up-to-the-minute communication with your service provider about the status of your job.

When can I expect to hear back?

A member may get back to you immediately or it may take a few days or longer. If your request is urgent or you haven't received a response in a few days, consider calling the number listed in their profile to follow up. Otherwise, feel free to contact us at (877) 737-8366.

How do I know if I have responses?

You will be notified via email every time there is a new response to your request. Alternatively, you may log in to your Lawgical Cases dashboard where you will see a notice alerting you to any new communication.

How do I reply to responses?

Once you’ve clicked on a quote or job’s details, a comment thread will appear showing all communication you’ve had regarding that request. At the bottom of this comment thread is a white form field where you can click to type your response.

What does it mean to accept a quote? How do I do this?

When you’ve decided to work with one of our members, you will need to accept their quote. This means you’ve hired that professional. To accept the quote, type a quick note letting the server know that you’ve chosen to use their services and press the “Accept Quote & Respond” button below the comment field.

What happens after I accept the quote?

Once accepted, the quote becomes a job.

How do I hire the service provider?

You must accept the quote. After you’ve communicated with a Lawgical member and decided to accept their quote, type a quick note letting them know that you’ve chosen to use their services and press the “Respond and Accept Quote” button below the comment field.

What do I do if I haven’t heard from the member?

We recommend giving them a call. Under the company name at the top of your comment thread, you’ll find a phone number where they may be reached. You can also call Lawgical at (877) 737-8366.

Who is Lawgical?

Lawgical is the parent company that operates such trusted legal brands as ServeNow.com, PInow.com and AboutBail.com. For more information, check out http://corp.lawgical.com.

Why do I need to close the job?

Closing the job communicates that the job has been completed and the company's services are no longer required.

Can I contact the member after the job is closed?

Yes. The comment thread is available on all quotes and jobs, including those that have already been closed. You can also contact the company at the phone number listed at the top of your comment thread.

What do I do if I have multiple incoming offers?

Do a little bit of research. View each company's profile for more information about services, locations and payment types. You may want to call professionals that have provided quotes to find out whose business style, location and pricing best fits your needs.

How do I request a quote from a specific member instead of from all of the professionals listed in my area?

To request a quote from a specific service provider, select “Request a Quote” on the right-hand side of the company’s entry in the list, not the blue Quick Quotes button. You can also click on the business's name and request a quote from the company's profile. To request a quote from the profile page, click on the green "Request Quote" button at the top of the page directly below the company name.

Member FAQs:

Why did I get a quote request?

You received a quote request because a potential client in your area needs service of process. This person either clicked on Quick Quotes at the top of their search results or requested a quote directly from your company’s profile page.

What do I do with the request?

You may respond to this request through the Lawgical Cases platform. Give the potential client a pricing quote or, if you are unavailable to help them, let them know that you won’t be able to complete the job. You may also reply directly to the email in your inbox.

The client has accepted my quote... what do I do now?

When a quote is accepted, it automatically becomes a job. At this point, you may continue to use the Lawgical Cases platform to keep your client abreast of new developments in their case. If you’ve been working on a case, but have been unable to complete it successfully, you can let them know. If you’ve completed the client's work, you can tell your client and then close the job.

Why do I close a job?

You should close your job so that both parties are alerted to the fact that work has been successfully completed or-- in cases where you were unable to complete the requested work-- that a job is no longer required.

How do I close a job?

Type a response letting your customer know that the job is complete and press the “Respond and Close job” button below the form field. Either party can close the job at any time.

How do I know from which profile this request was received?

On the left-hand side of your comment thread, there is a link that shows the "Referring Profile". Click on this to see your profile.

How do I access my profiles and products?

On the top right-hand navigation, you will see a link that reads "My products". Alternatively, look to the upper right-hand corner of your Lawgical Cases dashboard. There, you will see an embossed gray Lawgical logo. Mouse over this logo to reveal a dropdown menu. From this menu, select “Lawgical” to access your products and profiles.

How many other people get the request?

If the potential client has made a Quick Quotes request, then every Lawgical member listed in your county has also received a request. If, however, the client has requested a quote directly from your company’s profile, then the request has been made specifically to you.

How do I get my quotes accepted more often?

The best thing you can do to get your quotes accepted is to respond to requests quickly. The members who get the job aren’t necessarily the cheapest... they’re the quickest to get back to clients. Make sure you’re checking your email on a very regular basis so that you can respond to clients in a timely fashion. If you’re on the road a lot, be sure to check your email from your mobile phone as often as possible.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your Lawgical product profile is complete. To learn more about filling out your profile, contact us.

Why was this quote archived?

Quotes remain active for up to seven days after they are first requested. If you have not followed up on a quote within the allotted time, it will automatically be archived.

Hiring a Process Server Checklist

2011-12-28T00:00:00-07:00

Here is your checklist for hiring a process server:

Locate

Find a Trusted Process Server
Trusted networks are great because the process servers are pre-screened and you have someone to call outside of the server if there is an issue.

Verify

Verify License or Registration and Association Members
Not all states and counties require process servers to be licensed, so it's important to check.

Ask if They Have an E&O Policy or Bond
Although not required in many states, some process servers are bonded and carry Errors and Omissions Insurance.

Check Their Website
A company's website can help establish their legitimacy, and can give you more insight into the values of the people who will serve your papers.

Search for Internet Complaints
An internet search of the company's name and 'complaints' can reveal a lot about their history and if they have any unsatisfied former clients.

Ask About Their Experience
Find out how long they have been in business, if they have an area of expertise, and what their success rate is. But beware, a 100% success rate isn't realistic.

Ask for Recommendations
A trusted process server should have access to letters of recommendation and testimonials, which will give you great insight about their customer service.

Fees

Be Mindful of Price - You Get What You Pay For
$45-$70 is standard for a no-rush serve, depending on the area. It's fairly inexpensive when you consider what is being performed.

Helpful Hints

Give Specific Service Instructions
Be specific about the who, what, and where of your serve and your preferred method of receiving updates. This can help make the serve go more smoothly.
Verify the Details and Get Them in Writing
Finalize the details of the service fee, additional fees, the number of attempts, court filing, deadlines and updates, and confirm with an email.
Find Out How They Will Update You
There are many process serving software solutions that allow access, and is an easy way to get details and affidavits.
Don't Send Them the Only Copy
It's important that you have copies for your own records, so make sure you keep copies of the paperwork for yourself.

Hopefully these tips have given you a better understanding of what to look for in a process server and what steps to take to ensure you hire the best candidate. Remember, prices change based on area, and bulk serves generally lower the cost significantly. If you have further questions or are dealing with a specific type of serve, visit the ServeNow Help Center for more informative articles.

For a printable download of these tips, get our Hiring a Process Server Checklist PDF.

Find a Trusted Process Server

ServeNow is the fastest way for you to find a local, pre-screened process server. Search by the location where you need papers served and you’ll find only trusted process servers who have been pre-screened and vetted.
Join Today

Process Server vs. Sheriff: Infographic

2011-12-12T00:00:00-07:00

Who should I hire: process server or sheriff?

When you need to have legal papers served, the choice between a process server and sheriff can be a difficult one. To help you decide, ServeNow created a graphic representation, or infographic, of data gathered from 100 paralegals, legal assistants, and legal administrators who have papers served regularly. The results were based on speed of service, customer service, knowledge of laws, success rate, and average cost.

And the winner is ...

Process server. Whether you rely on statistics or direct advice from industry professionals, the process server is the preferred choice. The process server prevailed in the important areas of customer satisfaction, rules of civil procedure, speed of service, and success rate. A difference in cost of less than $15, an average that drops significantly for high-volume serves, can get your papers served quickly, legally, and with customer service in mind.

Share and Embed this!

If you found any of this information helpful, share the link with anyone who might benefit or find it interesting. At ServeNow, we're dedicated to providing valuable industry content, and created this infographic as a resource for process servers. We encourage you to post this to your legal blog or include it in your association newsletter. If you need a different size for your website, blog, or newsletter, need an accompanying article, have different printing requirements, or have any other requests regarding this piece, send us an email.

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Download condensed PDF for print: Infographic: Process Server vs. Sheriff (PDF)

Process Server vs. Sheriff Video

Embed the Video:

<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_10619513"> <strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="https://www.serve-now.com/articles/841/process-server-vs-sheriff-infographic" title="Process Server vs Sheriff" target="_blank">Process Server vs Sheriff<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VG_eBrw6Vo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Process Server vs. Sheriff Slideshow

Download Power Point Presentation: Infographic: Process Server vs. Sheriff Slideshow (PPT)

Download PDF Presentation: Infographic: Process Server vs. Sheriff Slideshow (PDF)

Embed the Power Point Presentation:

<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_10619513"> <strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="https://www.serve-now.com/articles/841/process-server-vs-sheriff-infographic" title="Process Server vs Sheriff" target="_blank">Process Server vs Sheriff</a></strong> <iframe src="https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/10619513" width="425" height="355" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><div style="padding:5px 0 12px:>

Lawgical Passport: Your Key to Better Legal Services

2011-04-18T00:00:00-06:00

The Lawgical Passport is your personal gateway to all of the tools, resources and networks required to handle your legal needs. Taking 30 seconds to create your free account now will save you time and money as you enjoy an easier, more reliable way to find, hire and collaborate with process servers.

The Passport enables you to streamline service of process from beginning to end with functions including:

Request quotes from process servers. You can request quotes from individual process serving firms, or from multiple companies at the same time using the "Quick Quotes" button.
Favorite & recommend process servers. When you experience great results with a process server from the ServeNow network, our "Favorite" and "Recommend" functions let you bookmark that process serving firm as well as recommend the firm's services to others.
Access ServeManager. By creating your Lawgical Passport, you are also creating a ServeManager account. This web-based solution allows you to assign, track and manage your serves for complete transparency during service of process.

Create Your Free Lawgical Passport Account Today

Creating your Lawgical Passport is free and takes less than 30 seconds. To create your account now, click the button below.

Create an Account

Lawgical Promise: Service of Process You Can Trust

2011-04-18T00:00:00-06:00

When you work with a process server from the ServeNow trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers, you can rest easy knowing that the service is backed by the Lawgical Promise. The Lawgical Promise tells you that we have pre-screened and vetted the process serving firm to verify experience and qualifications. By holding our members to high standards, we aim to provide you with the consistently smooth and efficient service of process you deserve.

The Lawgical Promise also ensures that your voice is heard if you do experience complications while working with a ServeNow member. You can let us know about your problem and ServeNow will follow up to see what can be done to resolve the situation.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

Do I Need to Hire a Process Server?

2011-04-14T00:00:00-06:00

The following four reasons explain why you should hire a professional process server to handle your legal documents.

1) In some states, people who serve papers must have a process server license. In order to gain this status, professional process servers have been through some combination of education, training, background checks and more.

2) States have varying laws covering who can serve papers, when and where people can be served, which methods of service are allowed, what constitutes harassment or trespassing, etc. For example, in some states, it is prohibited to serve papers to someone on Sundays or certain holidays.

Unless you feel like researching every state and federal law that applies to service of process, you should leave it up to a trained professional who knows how to operate within the law. If your papers are served in a way that violates a law, it can lead to delays, complications and even dismissal of your court case.

3) Service of process isn’t always easy. The person who is to be served might be hard to locate because they moved, they are on the road often, or they simply don’t want to be found. Even if the person is located, he or she might be inclined to evade service of process by any means necessary. And if you do find the person and have your papers in hand, you might have to deal with someone who is angry about being served. Professional process servers are trained to locate hard-to-find people and serve them, as well as diffuse heated situations.

4) Process servers give you solid proof that the subject was successfully served. Their affidavit of service, or proof of service, that they provide to you following service of process is something you can submit to courts to verify that the other party was notified of legal action.

Finally, ServeNow surveyed a cross-section of legal professionals about process serving. The data from this survey was put together as an infographic and reinforces the notion you should hire a professional process server. The summary of the infographic's findings are below. You can click on the image for the complete infographic and more data.

Conclusion
If you need someone served, your best choice is to hire a professional server to handle the job. It will save you time, money and frustration, and you can rest easy knowing that the papers are in the hands of a trained professional.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

Are You Being Served? Know Your Rights

2009-02-10T00:00:00-07:00

Process servers are the legal system’s postal carriers

A slender woman faced a glowering man who stood at the front of his house, his hostility flaring because of a delivery she was trying to make.

Chris Telega was there to serve legal papers.

First, the man denied he was the person named on the papers, then he demanded Telega show him her identification. When she stepped toward her car to fetch her ID, he shoved her. Telega whipped out a can of pepper spray and pointed it at him.

“Back off!” she barked.

He complied.

A neighbor yelled to the man, calling him by the name on the documents. Telega tossed the papers at his feet and told him he was served.

For process servers, confrontations like this are as inevitable as a Florida thunderstorm.

Process servers are the legal system’s postal carriers. They must fight the elements, find poorly marked addresses and elude aggressive dogs.

But, unlike the mailman, no one is ever happy to see them. They are welcomed as warmly as health inspectors and IRS agents.

They go onto properties of potentially volatile people, sometimes tooling down long driveways at night in remote rural areas that reek of danger.

The private servers – those who don’t work for the Sheriff’s Office – deliver civil papers that require no law enforcement. Those include subpoenas, summons to court, notices for divorce and child custody suits.

It’s the kind of job with long stretches of uneventful routine interspersed with wrathful encounters.

“I’ve had people chase me to the car,” said Kevin Whitton, 45, who works with Telega at his family’s process-serving business. “You never know what’s going to happen when that door opens.”

BUT SOMEBODY’S GOT TO DO IT

The Ormond Beach office where Whitton and Telega, 56, begin their day is quiet, and the company’s name, Executive Southern Professional Services, gives no real hint of what they do.

Executive Southern is one of a handful of private processing-serving agencies in the area.

The pay is modest by any scale – $8 to $12 per legal document, Telega said. “Florida is very low,” she said. “We are one of the lowest ones, as far as what we make on our papers.”

One of the biggest hassles is going back to the same address again and again to deliver the same set of papers if someone is not home or, worse, is ducking service, she said. If the address if valid, the servers are paid the same, whether they make one trip or 20.

And John Wayne tactics are out.

Servers should never climb over a closed gate in a driveway, nor should they argue with recipients, said Al Metcalf, 60, who also works at Executive Southern. They are allowed to defend themselves, however. Assaulting a process server is a felony, and people will rarely go that far, although some will browbeat the messenger, he said.

One woman, after being served, ran out to his car screaming and kept trying to stuff the papers under his windshield wiper, Whitton said. Finally, he threw the papers in front of her and drove off. She chased the car to the street, shrieking at him.

Unlike on some TV shows, a person identified as the recipient doesn’t need to sign for papers or even touch them for the service to be good, Telega said.

COMPETITION FOR SHERIFFS

Some sheriffs can also be unfriendly toward private couriers, viewing them as unnecessary competition.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is one example. Forty-nine employees staff the sheriff’s civil section, serving 89,000 writs last year, said Gary Davidson, a sheriff’s spokesman.

“In the vast majority of cases, the Sheriff’s Office is in the position to do the best job,” Davidson said.

The Sheriff’s Office also charges less than businesses, Davidson said. And he argued that it’s better to have deputies deliver all civil papers, so they can learn to track the people who might need to be dealt with more seriously later. Some private servers will bend the rules—for instance, dropping papers on a porch when no one is home, Davidson said. But he added: “That’s not to imply that the majority of private process servers don’t follow the law.”

Telega said the Sheriff’s Office has always been hostile to competition. Private couriers, she argued, have distinct advantages.

Unlike uniformed deputies, they have the element of surprise, she said. And for something like a subpoena, there’s no reason to have deputies drawing neighbors’ attention to the person.

“It’s a more discreet way to do it,” she said.

Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming said he is glad to have businesses take some of the load off his two-person civil section.

“Our county is growing so rapidly, it’s hard to keep up,” Fleming said.

Mitch Gordon, a Daytona Beach attorney, said he prefers to have the sheriff serve legal papers, but finds that businesses can respond quicker to rush orders.

“If time is tight . . . sometimes it’s more expedient to use a private process server,” Gordon said.

ANGER OFTEN AWAITS

Metcalf, who has delivered papers for three years, recalled that one of his scariest moments was at a weather-beaten house near railroad tracks in Bunnell.

A man took the papers, scowled, and punched the wall beside the door. Then he ripped up the papers.

“I thought he was going to get violent with me,” Metcalf said.

Servers say certain areas are especially bad—Ridgewood and Mason avenues in Daytona Beach, Daytona North in west Flagler, and Deltona.

Whitton and Telega agreed that Deltona has the most dangerous edge.

“I just don’t want to be there at night,” Telega said.

Not all deliveries are tense. Serving at offices is much easier because, unlike homes, someone is usually there to take the papers, and confrontations are far less frequent.

Still, tiffs do happen. Metcalf recently dropped off a request for an employee’s records at an upscale DeBary country club. To his surprise, a supervisor followed him to the car and started yelling at him.

“It comes when you least expect it,” Metcalf said.

By Scott Wyland of the Daytona Beach News-Journal

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

Benefits of Hiring Local Process Servers

2009-02-10T00:00:00-07:00

When looking for process servers for out-of-town cases, hire locally

If your law firm or collection company is like most, you undoubtedly have cases that are not in your immediate area. When you need to have these people found or served with legal documents who do you turn to? Many law firms use their “local guy” or a nationwide company. This may be the easiest route, but is that really the best choice for you or your client?

Below are just a few reasons why using local process servers is your best option.

1. Lower Costs
When you hire a nationwide process server or your “local guy” to have court documents served out of town, they will generally forward these papers to a business within their network. In cases such as this, the company you hire will tack on a margin for managing the serve. This fee can range from $50 to $200 or more for a routine service. This gets much more expensive when multiple attempts, rush service and mileage comes in to play.

By hiring local, you can save your firm and your clients hundreds of dollars on routine service of process.

2. Faster Service
With local process servers, your papers don’t need to be sent to a main office or corporate headquarters then forwarded off to someone else. The quicker you can get the papers in the process servers hands, the quicker the papers will go out for service. This means that your affidavit of service will also take the most direct path back to you after the papers are served.

3. Better Communication
As mentioned earlier, when you hire a nationwide provider or “the local guy” your case is referred out to someone else. You do not have immediate access to these individuals which can be an issue if you need to react to time sensitive information. Breaking down the communication chain and working directly with the company handling your case will result in more timely and accurate information.

4. More Control
With better communication comes more control over your serves. However, using local process servers may mean having to work with more vendors. At ServeNow.com we are making that process more efficient with a secure online application called ServeManager. ServeManager allows you to see the status of all your serves in one place. Visit ServeManager.com to learn more.

Find a trusted local process server today
ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.

ServeNow.com Process Server Directory Launches

2009-02-10T00:00:00-07:00

ServeNow.com makes locating Process Servers and Legal Support Services fast and easy

LOS ANGELES, CA November 17, 2004—ServeNow.com, an online resource dedicated solely to the process serving industry, today announced the official launch of their web site: https://www.serve-now.com. ServeNow.com helps legal professionals and those in need of legal support services find a process server anywhere in the United States or worldwide.

Process serving is a vital part of civil procedure for court cases and legal proceedings. Process servers assure that parties to a case are served in accordance with the law (also referred to as rules of civil procedure). If service upon an individual is not performed properly it can hinder or lead to the dismissal of a case. Therefore it is important to find an experienced process server who knows the local and state laws.

“Navigating the web for a reliable process server can be difficult, time consuming and frustrating. ServeNow.com makes finding reliable legal support services quick and painless,” said Adam Camras of ServeNow.com. “If our users can’t find someone within our directory, we will locate someone for them at no cost. We are their one-stop shop.”

ServeNow.com has been online just a few months, but is already the most visited and fastest growing Internet property dedicated solely to the process serving industry. Satisfied users are returning again and again to take advantage of ServeNow.com’s offerings. Created to fill a void in the market for a pure process serving portal, ServeNow.com offers a wealth of industry tools, news and information, while providing process servers with an unparalleled channel to advertise process serving services.

The process servers listed on ServeNow.com are highly skilled and experienced legal services providers that offer much more than service of process. Many firms also provide skip tracing (locating an individual), private investigation services, court filing, public records research, asset searches, surveillance, and a number of other legal services.

To browse the ServeNow.com Process Server Directory or to learn about the process serving industry please visit https://www.serve-now.com.

Contact:
Adam Camras
www.ServeNow.com
(877) SERVE-NOW or (877) 737-8366.

Do You Need a Professional Process Server?

2009-02-10T00:00:00-07:00

Need a Process Server? Don’t Cut Corners and Hire Locally

Had the lawyer in this instance hired a professional Process Server who understood the rules of civil procedure, this may not have happened. For many legal teams, it is the ultimate nightmare: improperly served court papers result in legal action or legal problems that jeopardize a case. In some cases, incorrectly served court papers can get a case thrown out of court, leading to endless hassle for both a lawyer and their clients.

Serving court papers requires a thorough knowledge of the law and investigative techniques, according to experts. With more people willing to sue, more people living in gated communities, and vague trespassing laws, many process servers have their work cut out for them. In fact, some experts think that the number of process service cases that require skip tracing and other investigative work is growing.

The best way to get court papers legally delivered is to hire a process server who is in the same locality as the person being served. Local process servers can offer the following benefits:

1) Local Knowledge. A local server may know areas where people may congregate and may be aware of how to approach a property in order to serve court documents. This facet alone can be invaluable when it is time to serve someone with papers they may not want.

2) Knowledge of Laws. Even very small infractions in law can spell disaster for a court case. A local process serving professional may know trespassing laws and other local laws that can help ensure that your court documents are delivered legally. Seasoned process servers in Florida, for instance, will know that papers cannot be served on Sundays. In Michigan, you are not allowed to serve a person on an election day.

3) Utilizing their Local Network. Local servers may know others – including other investigators and law enforcement officials – who can help if someone proves elusive or unwilling to accept papers.

4) Knowledge of the Area. If you hire a server from another area, they may need time to get familiar with an area before trying to serve documents. This can result in delays and additional expenses – two things you can avoid by hiring a local professional.

5) More Cost Effective. Local process servers can get your papers served for low fees – fees that may increase fivefold or more if you hire national server companies or servers that must drive long distances. Typically nationwide companies or your regular process server will charge you $150 – $200 when you have a serve that is outside of your local area. They have a network of servers to whom they refer business. By going directly to a local company, you can save $100 or more.

Quite often, process servers are willing to drive significant distances – 50 miles or more – to get papers served. It is likely you will be charged a flat rate plus mileage. This gets much more expensive when multiple attempts and rush services come in to play.

6) More Efficient Communication. Local servers cut down the length of the communication chain. By hiring someone local, you reduce the time it takes to get information regarding the status of the serve, which means greater efficiency and less hassle for you.

Find a trusted local process server today

ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.