Process serving · By state
How papers get served in each state's small claims court
In many states the small claims court mails the papers itself, while others leave service to the sheriff, a private process server or another adult who isn't in the case. Each state below links to its own page with the method its court lists, so you know whether you need a server before you pay one.
PriceFrom $95 per New Jersey address; outside New Jersey, quoted per job through our network and vetted vendors Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Where we coverNew Jersey directly; other states through vetted local servers
| State | How small claims papers are served |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The sheriff serves the statement of claim, or it is sent by certified mail (restricted delivery for individuals). The defendant has 14 days to answer. |
| Alaska | The plaintiff has the complaint and summons served. If the defendant isn't served, the plaintiff may ask for alternate service under Civil Rule 4. Service outside Alaska is allowed only in some small claims cases. |
| Arkansas | Usually by certified mail, by the sheriff, or by another authorized person. The plaintiff pays for service. |
| Connecticut | The plaintiff serves each defendant by priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail return receipt requested, a national courier with delivery confirmation, or a proper officer such as a state marshal (required for out-of-state business entities). File the Statement of Service (JD-CV-123). |
| Delaware | The court attempts service, and its cost is included in the filing fee. The court does not serve out-of-state defendants; special process servers are listed by the court. |
| Florida | Certified mail (Florida addresses only), the sheriff, or a private process server. |
| Georgia | The court serves the defendant with the claim and a summons. The defendant generally has 30 days to answer. |
| Hawaii | The plaintiff arranges service: certified or registered mail (restricted delivery, return receipt), a civil process server, a non-party adult who files a return of service, or personal service with a signed acknowledgment. The defendant must be notified at least 48 hours before trial. |
| Idaho | Someone other than you serves each defendant. If service isn't done correctly, the court will close the case. The defendant has 21 days to answer. |
| Illinois | The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court. |
| Indiana | The clerk or sheriff delivers the notice of claim, or certified mail; it must be served at least 10 days before the court date. |
| Iowa | The sheriff in the defendant's county, certified restricted mail, or the Secretary of State for some nonresidents. The defendant generally has 20 days to file an Appearance and Answer. |
| Kansas | Kansas sheriff ($15), out-of-state sheriff, private process server or certified mail. |
| Kentucky | Certified mail with return receipt (paid in advance) or personal service by the sheriff. The plaintiff must check that service was completed. |
| Louisiana | Citation by certified mail counts as personal service; if that fails, the marshal usually serves (Shreveport City Court). |
| Maine | Serve the defendant first; once service is confirmed, file the Statement of Claim and fee with the clerk within 20 days. |
| Maryland | Certified mail, private process server, constable or sheriff. The defendant generally has 15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend (60 days if served out of state or through a state agency). |
| Massachusetts | The clerk mails the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant. |
| Michigan | A process server, or certified mail restricted to the addressee; the clerk can arrange it for a fee. The defendant should get notice at least 7 days before the hearing. |
| Missouri | The court mails the summons by certified mail; if that fails, a process server or sheriff can serve for an extra fee. The defendant must get the summons at least 10 days before the court date. |
| Montana | Court form lists 'Service of Order'; counterclaims must be served on the plaintiff by sheriff or process server. Check the local justice court for details. |
| Nebraska | Plaintiff chooses sheriff service or certified mail (form CC 4:5); process server also possible (plaintiff pays server). Sheriff/constable fees paid when filing. |
| Nevada | Have someone over 18 deliver the papers to the defendant (self-help page). |
| New Hampshire | The court mails notice of the claim to the defendant by first-class mail; if undeliverable, the plaintiff completes service as in other civil actions at plaintiff's expense (RSA 503:6; Rule 4.2). |
| New Mexico | Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, private process server or adult non-party may serve: personal delivery; posting on front door plus mailing; leaving with household member 15+; or mail with two Acknowledgment of Receipt forms (only if signed and returned). Businesses: registered agent, officer, manager or person in charge, or mail to registered agent. |
| New York | Clerk mails notice by first-class and certified mail; deemed served if regular mail not returned within 21 days (30 days for consumer transactions/commercial claims). |
| North Carolina | Personal delivery or leaving at dwelling with suitable resident; registered or certified mail, signature confirmation, or designated delivery service; acceptance of service; summary ejectment per G.S. 42-29 (G.S. 7A-217). |
| North Dakota | Sheriff; personal service by non-party of legal age; or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested. |
| Ohio | Notice of filing served on the defendant as provided by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (ORC 1925.05(A)). |
| Oklahoma | Sheriff (fee payable at filing) or private process server paid by plaintiff (per McCurtain County Court Clerk). |
| Oregon | As for a summons (personal, substituted, office service by sheriff, process server or eligible non-party adult) or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery (ORS 46.445; OJD plaintiff instructions). Defendant may sign an Acceptance of Service. |
| Rhode Island | Personal delivery to the person or a suitable adult at the dwelling, or to an authorized agent; corporations via officer, managing/general agent, office employee or authorized agent; out of state by disinterested person or registered/certified mail return receipt requested (Rule 2.03). Service within 120 days. |
| South Dakota | Clerk sends notice by certified mail; if that fails, sheriff personal service at plaintiff's cost. |
| Texas | Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2). |
| Vermont | Plaintiff mails documents to the defendant by first-class mail within 7 days; if no answer in 30 days, sheriff or constable must serve. Return of Service must be filed within 60 days. |
| Washington | Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). |
| Wisconsin | By mail, sheriff, or private process server (sheriff/server charge fees). Counterclaims over $10,000 (or tort counterclaims over $5,000) need personal service within 60 days. |
| Wyoming | Defendant must be served in person, within the window of 3 to 12 days before the court date. |
From each state's small claims self-help pages, as recorded in our state data (checked November 2026). States whose service method we couldn't confirm are left out. New Jersey: see how process serving works in New Jersey.
Serving someone in a regular civil case (not small claims) follows that state's civil rules instead. See serving someone in another state.
If you represent yourself, you are responsible for your documents: what they say, that they are complete and signed, which court they go to and that they are filed on time. We are not lawyers, we do not give legal advice or draft pleadings, and we cannot guarantee any legal outcome. We file, serve or pull exactly what you send.
Sources
Questions
Do I always need a process server?
No. Where the court serves by mail, as New York and Massachusetts clerks do in small claims, you may not need one. Where the court leaves service to you, a server or the sheriff is the usual route.
Can you serve papers outside New Jersey?
Yes, through vetted local servers and vendors. The price is quoted per job and confirmed before any work starts.
Is this legal advice about service?
No. It repeats what each court's self-help pages say. The court where the case is filed decides whether service was proper.