Process serving · Illinois
How to serve small claims papers in Illinois
Illinois's Small claims, circuit court lists this method: The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court. If that method lets you use a private process server or another adult, we can arrange a vetted local server in Illinois, quoted per job and confirmed before any work starts.
Here is how Illinois's small claims court says the papers reach the other side, and where a process server fits.
| Court | Small claims, circuit court |
|---|---|
| Service | The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court. |
| Where the case is filed | Generally the county where the defendant lives or where the events happened. A business may be sued in any county where it does business or has an office. |
| Small claims limit | $10,000. $10,000 or less. |
| Who can file | Anyone 18 or older, with or without a lawyer; a person under 18 must have a lawyer. A corporation must be represented by a lawyer. |
When we can help in Illinois
Where Illinois leaves delivery to the plaintiff, we line up a local server, pass along your deadline and send back the signed proof of service when it's done.
The full Illinois small claims page, with limits and fees, is here.
Alabama · all states · 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
Before you send
- Send the papers to serve as a PDF, with every page in order.
- Give the best address, a description or photo of the person, and the times they're usually home.
- Up to three attempts at different times of day are included.
- You get a notarized affidavit of service once service is made.
- Rules on who may serve papers vary by state. The desk confirms them for your state before assigning a server.
Prefer to talk?
Call the desk and we'll take the request by phone.
Questions
Who serves small claims papers in Illinois?
The court's guide says: The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court.
What does a Illinois serve cost?
Outside New Jersey every serve is quoted per job, because local server rates and travel differ. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you tell me if service was done correctly?
No. The Illinois court decides whether service was proper. We send you the server's proof of service so you can file it.