Spain

Our Spain process server will handle your case promptly and efficiently.

 

Process Service Network serves legal documents in all countries of the world, including International Service of Process in Spain. Depending on your needs, we will serve your legal documents either through the Hague Service Convention, or through our international network of private process servers, as allowed by law in Spain (see below).

Process Service Network specializes in process service in Spain and has process servers in every area of the country, including Madrid. We are one of the few firms that handle international service of process and investigations, and offer competitive rates. Our job is to cut through the bureaucracy and red tape to get the service completed with as little delay as possible. We have been in business since 1978 and have developed close working relationships with key individuals in most countries throughout the world. The founder and CEO of Process Service Network was a Political Science major in college with a focus on international relations and is actively involved in a worldwide organization through which he has developed business and personal relationships in over 80 nations worldwide. He is also an International Circle member of the World Affairs Council and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Unlike some of our competitors who claim to be experts, we actually are familiar with the laws, customs and current practices in the countries where documents are to be served. With offices in 8 countries, serving major regions around the world, we stay on top of current events and service strategies. Our personal relationships and close dealings with the judicial authorities in the U.S. Department of State and many countries allow us to have a better understanding of their procedures and requirements.

Why Choose Process Service Network?

The following is a summary of the methods available for service in Spain as well as a specific proposal for process service.

FORMAL SERVICE

Many countries are signatories to The Hague Service Convention (treaty) that governs service of process to be effected between participating nations; Spain is one of them. Service may be made by formal service through the Central Authority which itself arranges for service by methods prescribed in that country. Documents to be served in accordance with this method must be translated into the official language of the country where the documents will be served. The time frame can range from 2 to 3 months (recently 3 months)

Advantage: Enforceable judgment.

Disadvantage: The time frame is generally longer than the informal method.

OPTION:  We can provide an automatic update on formal Hague service for an additional, one-time fee of $300.00.  This status update will be available once a month, or as requested, for purposes of obtaining a court deadline extension.

INFORMAL SERVICE

Private process servers may serve documents in most countries, whether a signer of The Hague Service Convention, or not. Service is normally handled in a manner similar to methods used in the United States, although completion of the service usually takes longer. Customs and traditions in Spain tend to lead to a slower pace and less rigid work habits. Service sometimes may take several months but informal service is generally faster than the formal method. Many process servers who we employ are off-duty police officers or other government officials who are able to, in certain cases, exercise their official capacity to complete the service. Since we pay the process server a bonus (at our own expense) for prompt service, the normal delays are usually reduced. Currently, the time frame for the completion of informal service is approximately 3 weeks.

Advantage: The time frame is shorter than the formal method.

Disadvantage: Judgment “may” not be enforceable in Spain.

PUBLICATION

Service by Publication is an alternative to personal service when a defendant's address is not known.  Your court will require that you conduct a Due Diligence Search before issuing a court order allowing for service by publication.  We handle the entire process, including the due diligence search affidavit, and preparing the Application and Order for Publication.  We will provide all forms necessary for you to submit to your local court.  Once the Order is signed by the judge, we will publish the entire file for one low rate of $995.00 and provide Proof of Publication.

See details at www.GlobalLegalNotices.com

LETTERS ROGATORY

Letters Rogatory is used for obtaining evidence or serving pleadings in countries which are not signers of the Hague Service Convention. They are a request from a court in the United States to a court in a foreign country requesting international judicial assistance related to service of process. This method is time consuming, cumbersome, and should be used only when other options are not available. The use of this method may result in habitual time delays of up to 1 year in the execution of requests. This method should only be used if no treaty is in force or if you are serving a Subpoena.

TRANSLATIONS

Most countries require the documents to be translated into the official language of the nation where they are to be served (in this case, Spanish). The U.S. State Department recommends translation, but it is not a requirement unless the formal method is used. It is possible, although rare, that a demurer could be filed based upon lack of understanding by the defendant as to the nature and meaning of un-translated documents. We offer translation services at rates quoted below.

RATES