How to Hire a Process Server in Another State

Process servers and sheriff's deputies are used to serve court papers.

When court papers have to be served in a court case, licensed process servers, or in some states the local sheriff's office, are authorized to complete the service. If you live in a different state than the party being served, you can hire a process-server and mail him the documents to have the service carried out.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone
• Computer
• Internet connection
• Pending court case
• Documents to be served

Instructions

1. Use specialized websites that list process servers by city and state. (See links under References.)

2. Contact the process servers to compare their rates for service and their estimated service time. Be sure to inform them that you are out of state and will need to mail them the documents to be served. Once you have this information for several process servers, contact the local sheriff's office to inquire as to its rates. Also get details on the sheriff's out of state billing policies, as some process servers and sheriff's offices only accept cash or money orders.

3. Hire either a process server or the sheriff's office based on your research. Be sure to acquire the exact mailing address.

4. Mail the documents to be served, along with your payment, if you have not paid over the telephone or Internet, to the process server. Consider sending the documents using a traceable method, such as FedEx or UPS.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to provide the process server with as much information about the party being served as possible, including his address, physical appearance and the make and model of the person's car.

References

• Process Server Association: Locate Process Server by State
• Process Server Association: Process Server Laws by State
• National Association of Process Servers