Domestic Service of Process
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In the United States, defendants have the right to know when actions are being taken against them in a court of law. The process of notifying defendants, or serving legal documents to them, is known as the domestic service of process. However, keep in mind that there are certain rules surrounding who can serve documents to a defendant, when they can be served and many more.
Introduction to Domestic Service of Process
Historically, sheriffs and deputies were the ones responsible for serving legal documents to defendants. This has changed as it increasingly started to become a burden on law enforcement. Although the laws surrounding who can serve papers may vary from state to state, anyone over the age of 18 and who is not involved in the case may serve papers to a defendant. This is where a legal process server comes in. They are familiar with the domestic service of process and can serve documents according to the legislations of the state they operate in, ensuring the defendant receives it.
Domestic Service of Process | What We Do
Below is a non-exhaustive list of services that Process Service Network provides for domestic service of process:
- Serve documents personally to defendants and according to the legislations of the area of service.
- Perform substituted service to someone in the same household or business who is of age and with no developmental disabilities if the defendant is not around.
- If allowed by the legislation of the area, posting or publishing the documents in an accepted place such as a newspaper can be a way of serving notice if the defendant is unreachable.
- Obtain and provide an Affidavit of Service, also known as Proof of Service, to the party who requested the documents to be served.
- … and more!
As someone who is involved in the case, you are not able to serve legal documents to the defendant. This is for your own protection: in the case of the defendant claiming not to have received notice, a third party is able to vouch that they have indeed served the documents.
Why Choose Process Service Network?
Process Service Network is headquartered in California and has 7 offices internationally. We have achieved a solid track record of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency. Rest assured that we can assist you with the domestic service of process regardless of where in the country you are located. In limited jurisdictions, we can serve documents via email and obtain clear documentation that the defendant has received and acknowledged the service of process. We are the only service processor who makes use of this system, and we are also able to conduct process service by publication if a defendant’s whereabouts remain unknown.
If you have more questions about the domestic service of process and how our process servers can help, do not hesitate to contact us today.
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Specializing in International Service and “hard-to-serve” cases
Note: We’ve been in business since 1978, so we must be doing it right.