France
France Process Server
Overview
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Party to Hague Service Convention Yes |
Service under Article 10(a) Yes |
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Party to Hague Evidence Convention Yes |
Service under Article 10(b) Yes |
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Party to Hague Apostille Convention Yes |
Service under Article 10(c) Yes |
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Party to Inter-American Convention No |
Translation Requirements French (unless seeking voluntary acceptance of service) |
Service of Process
France is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters. U.S. litigants seeking to serve documents in France may utilize the service procedures available under the Hague Service Convention.
FORMAL SERVICE
Many countries are signatories to The Hague Service Convention (treaty) that governs service of process to be affected between participating nations; France 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 MAY be translated into French language. The time frame can range from 5 to 6 months.
Service may be refused by the French authority if it would infringe upon the sovereignty or security of the State, or if the request does not comply with the provisions of the French Code of Civil Procedure.
INFORMAL SERVICE
Private process servers may serve documents in most countries, whether a party to 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 France tend to lead to a slower pace and less rigid work habits, particularly in some European countries. Service may take several months but informal service is generally faster than the formal method. Currently, the time frame for the completion of informal service is approximately 2 weeks.
PUBLICATION
Service by Publication is an alternative to personal service when a defendant's address is not known. Your court will require conducting 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
Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
France is a member of the Hague Convention on Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters. The French Central Authority designated to receive Letters of Request under the Hague Evidence Convention is the Ministry of Justice. Requests seeking the compulsory taking of evidence may be sent directly by the requesting U.S. court or other authorized person to the French Central Authority, without the need for transmission through diplomatic or consular channels.
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
Voluntary depositions may be conducted in France when the witness is a U.S. citizen. Depositions involving French citizens or nationals of third countries generally require prior authorization from the French Central Authority and a commission issued by a U.S. court. The French Central Authority does not approve depositions conducted solely on notice. Requests should be submitted sufficiently in advance and must include the required documentation and French translations.
The court-issued commission must specifically reference the Hague Evidence Convention and provide detailed information, including:
- The name of the issuing court.
- The name of the judge or other issuing authority.
- The names of the parties and their legal representatives.
- The names and addresses of all witnesses to be summoned.
- The questions to be presented or a description of the subject matter of the examination.
- The names of any parties or representatives who intend to attend the deposition.
- The names, addresses, and contact information of any selected court reporters or interpreters, if applicable.
- Whether all parties consent to the deposition and, if not, the nature of any objections raised.
- The proposed date of the deposition, subject to the applicable advance-notice requirements.
Depositions authorized through this process are generally conducted at U.S. Embassy or Consulate premises, unless an alternative location is specifically requested and approved. Additional requirements may apply concerning public access, advance notification, and written notice to witnesses in French.
Process Service Network serves legal documents in all countries of the world, including international service of process by France process server. 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 France (see below).
Process Service Network specializes in process service in France and has process servers in every area of the country, including Paris. We are one of the few firms that handle international service of process and investigations, and offer competitive rates. 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 several 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.
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Why Choose Process Service Network?
Our extensive network of both process servers and connections get your documents delivered in a timely manner- We deliver your documents through methods that are accepted in all courts worldwide
- We will serve your legal documents anywhere in the world
- We provide you with a team of skilled, knowledgeable, diligent and competent international service specialists
- We quote firm rates, in advance – with no hidden fees
The following is a summary of the methods available for service in France as well as a specific proposal for process service.
LETTERS ROGATORY
Not required for cases originating in U.S. Courts as both U.S. and France are signatories to the Hague Evidence Convention. For cases originating in other countries, please contact us for details.
TRANSLATIONS
Article 688-6 of the French Code of Civil Procedure provides that documents may be served in the language of the State of origin. However, if the addressee does not understand the language in which the document is drafted, the addressee may refuse service and request that the document be translated into French or accompanied by a French translation. We offer translation services at rates quoted below.
RATES
| Formal | $895.00 |
| Informal | $1,395.00 |
| Publication | $995.00 |
| Expedited Informal | $2,700.00 (within 15 days, guaranteed) |
| *All fees are per defendant/address | |
| Translation | $0.29 per word |
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DECLARATIONS: We provide formal declarations on the status of service upon request, as required by your court, at no additional charge. We subscribe to the U.S. Department of State weekly up-dates on international service of process and the Central Intelligence Agency briefings on social conditions abroad and monitor problems in nations that might affect the completion of the service. Estimated time for completion of service is subject to change depending on current conditions.
WARNING: Beware of companies that quote suspiciously low rates. They often come back later with an excuse for an additional charge. Our rates are firm for one address quoted. Other companies are actually brokerage firms or website developers, not process service agencies, who farm out assignments to companies that are not knowledgeable or qualified on international service of process.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is provided for general information only and may not be accurate at the time of service in a particular case or country. Questions involving specific services should be directed to our office. Care should be exercised in choosing the method of service (formal/informal) if eventual enforcement of a U.S. judgment is anticipated in the country where the documents are to be served. No legal advice is intended in the statements contained herein. Assignments for international service of process are accepted on the basis that the assigning law firm has researched all applicable laws. Process Service Network and its agents assume no liability for its actions in the course of any phase of the service of process assignment.
Specializing in International Service and “hard-to-serve” cases
What we will need to get it served:
- If sending via email: a PDF version of the service documents combined into one (1) file.
- If sending via FedEx, mail, or similar: three (3)copies of the documents to be served.
(Note: all 3 sets can be copies; original documents are not required) - A letter of instructions advising us the defendant’s name, service address, and requested method of service (i.e. formal or informal).
- Payment for the service fees in U.S. dollars (we will bill you for the translation costs, if translation is required).
A note about copies: Service documents sent to us are subject to a $.75/page copy fee for large files (100+ pages).
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Note: We’ve been in business since 1978, so we must be doing it right.