What Is Service of Process? Everything You Need to Know.

Courts require service of process to ensure that all parties in a legal case are properly informed. It’s part of the due process rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Without proper service, a court cannot proceed with legal actions, making this a foundational legal requirement.

Yes, individuals may try to avoid service by lying or concealing their identity. However, skilled process servers know how to handle these situations. ABC Legal Process Servers are backed by an internal team to verify residency with advanced tools like skip tracing. Once residency is confirmed, alternative service methods approved by the court are used. Lying doesn’t stop a case—it just delays it.

If legal documents are not served according to the laws of the court, a judge may dismiss the case or delay court proceedings. Improper service can lead to appeals, wasted legal fees, and extended timelines. Ensuring proper service by utilizing a professional assists your case in moving forward.

A summons is a notice that legal action has been filed and requires the recipient to respond or appear in court. A subpoena compels a person to appear in court or produce documents or evidence, regardless of whether they are a party to the case. Both are common types of legal documents served through service of process.

Serving legal documents is accomplished by delivering court papers to the person or business named in a case according to the rules in their jurisdiction. The most reliable way to do this is by using a professional process server, such as those in ABC Legal’s nationwide network, who ensure documents are delivered correctly, on time, and with valid proof of service for the court.

The time it takes to serve legal documents can vary depending on location, court deadlines, and the recipient’s availability. In some cases, it takes just one attempt. In others, multiple visits over several days are necessary. Most courts also set service deadlines depending on the case type.

Yes. Most courts require that legal documents be served within a specific number of days from the filing date—often 30 to 90 days, depending on the case type and jurisdiction. Missing these deadlines can lead to case dismissal, so it’s important to begin service as soon as possible. It is crucial to get information about your specific case and needs.

Yes. The party initiating service must file a proof of service (also called a declaration or affidavit of service) with the court. This document confirms that the papers were delivered properly and becomes part of the official court record.

• Alabama Service of Process

• Alaska Service of Process

• Arizona Service of Process

• Arkansas Service of Process

• California Service of Process

• Colorado Service of Process

• Connecticut Service of Process

• Delaware Service of Process

• Florida Service of Process

• Georgia Service of Process

• Hawaii Service of Process

• Idaho Service of Process

• Illinois Service of Process

• Indiana Service of Process

• Iowa Service of Process

• Kansas Service of Process

• Kentucky Service of Process

• Louisiana Service of Process

• Maine Service of Process

• Maryland Service of Process

• Massachusetts Service of Process

• Michigan Service of Process

• Minnesota Service of Process

• Mississippi Service of Process

• Missouri Service of Process

Legal documents must be served within deadlines set by state laws and court rules. The exact timing depends on the case type and jurisdiction. ABC Legal helps customers meet these requirements with quick turnaround times and real-time status updates, reducing the risk of delays or missed deadlines.

In most legal cases, serving certain documents is required to officially notify the other party. Courts will expect proof that service was completed according to the rules. ABC Legal handles this process from start to finish, making sure your documents are served correctly so your case can move forward without avoidable setbacks.

Service of process is regulated by state statutes, court rules, and, sometimes, federal guidelines. These rules determine who can serve, how delivery must happen, and when service must be completed. ABC Legal’s experienced process servers follow the specific requirements in every jurisdiction, ensuring your service is both valid and court-compliant.

Sheriffs and private process servers can both deliver legal documents, but there are important differences:

• Speed: Sheriffs may take weeks because of heavy caseloads, while private process servers often deliver within days, with rush options.

• Cost: Sheriff’s fees are usually lower and fixed by the county. Private servers vary, especially for urgent or hard-to-serve cases.

• Availability: Sheriffs serve only within their jurisdiction and during limited hours. Private servers are flexible and may operate statewide or nationwide.

• Proof of Service: Sheriffs provide a standard affidavit, while many private servers add GPS or photo evidence for extra assurance.

Order FAQ

• How much does service of process cost?
  Price depends on geography. Standard service of process typically ranges from $75 to $145. Remote locations tend to be more expensive. Cities and urban areas can be less. ABC Legal charges per address, entity, and the number of cases being served.
• I am serving two defendants at the same address. What does that cost?
  We charge per defendant, per address, and per case. So, each party will be priced the same.
• How do I know if you serve in a particular area?
  We serve documents across the United States. To find pricing for your area, simply go to  https://secure.abclegal.com/abc/customer/order
• I need to serve someone, but don’t know their address. Can you find them for me?
  Locating an individual, by law, requires “permissible purpose”. Therefore, we can only perform a skip trace for law firms or those who have retained a licensed attorney.  Explore our skip trace options here.
• How do I create an account with you?
  An account is created when you place your first order on our website. If you are looking to place 100+ orders per month, you may prefer a billable account. Talk with a service of process expert to learn more.
• I need someone served on a military base or in a prison/jail. Do you do that?
  This depends on the base or jail/prison. Some allow process servers in, others do not. Some have specific requirements such as making an appointment with a base escort. Please check with the military base/jail directly to confirm.

• How do I send ABC Legal my documents?
  When you place your order, you will be asked to upload your documents.
  
  File size is limited to 25 MB. Up to 10 PDFs can be submitted per order. A surcharge of 25 cents per page will apply for each page over 100.
  
  If you require ABC Legal to serve originals or are unable to upload your documents to our website, please place your order on our website and use our original documents cover sheet when mailing to us so we can make sure your documents are routed appropriately. 

Order Related Issues FAQ

• What are your payment options?
  You can pay upfront with your credit card when you finalize your order. If you need additional options, please speak with one of our service of process experts.

• What are your office hours?
  Our office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M-F, Pacific time.

• Can I talk to the process server? I need to give them specific instructions about this service.
  Please add specific instructions in the “Additional Information” field when placing your order. You can also add this information later on the order detail page at abclegal.com.