| Process service providers specialize in serving legal | | | | documents, doing so could be problematic as |
| documents such as subpoenas, citations, writs, | | | | non-registered process servers do not have the |
| complaints, and other documents issued by the | | | | training and expertise to carry out the law. If the |
| courts to the individuals specified in said | | | | paperwork isn't filled out properly, the case could |
| documents. In general, the person serving these | | | | be delayed or the process deemed invalid. |
| documents is an impartial third party. In some | | | | When choosing a process service provider, it's |
| instances, only a sheriff or constable can serve | | | | smart to choose a licensed provider who fully |
| specific documents. Laws regulating process | | | | understands the state and local regulations |
| services vary from state to state with some | | | | governing the process. In addition to the legal |
| states requiring licensing. | | | | knowledge required, process servers must also be |
| For example, in Texas, individuals providing | | | | skilled in dealing with irate people. For example, it's |
| process services must be licensed, which requires | | | | not unusual for a person being served to become |
| mandated continuing education, training, and | | | | agitated and upset. The old saying, "Don't kill the |
| successful passage of a licensing exam. Whether | | | | messenger" comes to mind as the individuals tend |
| licensing is required in your state or not, look for a | | | | to take out their frustrations on the process |
| process service provider that has demonstrated a | | | | server. Because of the danger involved, make |
| commitment to the trade through continuing | | | | sure to ask about insurance and bonding. |
| education, professional associations, and other | | | | Serving legal documents is a job that requires |
| ongoing involvement in the industry. | | | | expertise, interpersonal skills, and some degree of |
| Process service providers often provide other | | | | risk. In some states, it also requires licensing to |
| legal services with process serving being a portion | | | | ensure that all of the above are adequately |
| of their businesses. For example, private | | | | adhered to through training, testing, and insurance |
| investigators often serve legal and civil process | | | | and bonding requirements. If you're in the market |
| documents as well as conduct private | | | | for a process server, look for a process service |
| investigations. As licensed private investigators, | | | | provider who takes the business of process |
| again this varies by state, private investigators | | | | serving seriously: look for a true professional. |
| may be authorized under their existing licenses to | | | | Nationwide professional process service providers |
| act as process servers and thus, not required to | | | | often have higher standards and expectations |
| obtain a separate process server license. | | | | than the state that you're in. Because serving |
| Sworn peace officers such as marshals, | | | | papers is a business, process servers employed |
| constables, and sheriffs are also often called upon | | | | by these providers are expected to adhere to |
| to serve process of service papers, especially | | | | the state's requirements as well as to the |
| when a writ requires detaining a person or | | | | company's standards. Look for a company with |
| possession as part of the process. | | | | high expectations, experience, and a commitment |
| In some states, non-licensed individuals are allowed | | | | to providing you with timely, consistent results. |
| to serve civil process documents, usually up to a | | | | Have you used a process server recently? What |
| certain number per year, as long as they are not | | | | were your experiences? We'd love to hear about |
| parties to the case. While it may be tempting to | | | | it. |
| save a few dollars by having a friend serve the | | | | |