How Does Process Serving Work?

We’ve all seen that movie scene where someone is served papers by hand, and we’ve all been sort of curious about what all goes into that? Is that the only way legal papers are delivered? How else does process serving work? Let’s take an in-depth look at process serving.

Hand Delivery

The best way of serving papers is hand delivery. This is usually accomplished by the process server’s going to the recipient’s workplace or home. In a perfect situation, the recipient will accept the process service. But, some recipients are really evasive.

The recipient may not want to receive process. If the recipient is completely against getting served, it might be up to the process server to use surprise, or serve the papers in a place that the recipient is not expecting.

Substituted Service

If the process server just cannot deliver the summons to the recipient, some places allow process to instead be served to an adult who is living with the recipient. In some places, the papers have to be mailed to the recipient as well. Substituted service is usually only allowed if the recipient cannot be served in any other way.

Mail Service

If the recipient is located far way, like in some other state or foreign country, mail service might not work. Be certain that you understand the important local laws and procedures before you try mail service.

Registered Agent Service

As a rule, corporations must have registered agents in the states that they do business. The registered agent is a person that is allowed to carry out business maters, including receiving process, on behalf of the company.

Publication Service

If a recipient cannot be located, process service may, in some places, can be carried out through publication. Basically, a notice will be printed in a local publication, like a daily newspaper.