Process serving · Missouri
How to serve small claims papers in Missouri
Missouri's Small claims court, a division of the circuit court lists this method: 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. Because the court starts that step itself, you may not need a private server unless the court tells you service failed.
Missouri's court guides spell out who delivers a small claims case to the defendant; this page repeats it and says when we can help.
| Court | Small claims court, a division of the circuit court |
|---|---|
| Service | 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. |
| Where the case is filed | The county where the defendant lives or the transaction happened; where the plaintiff lives if the defendant can be found there; or where a business defendant has an office or registered agent. |
| Small claims limit | $5,000. A civil claim that doesn't exceed $5,000, not counting court costs and interest. No more than 12 small claims per calendar year. |
| Who can file | Any person or business with a money claim against someone who owes them; you can't file for someone else or on an assigned claim. A minor needs an adult 'next friend'. |
When we can help in Missouri
We book a vetted server near the address, share the papers and the date the court needs, and return the completed proof of service to you.
The full Missouri small claims page, with limits and fees, is here.
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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 Missouri?
The court's guide says: 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.
What does a Missouri 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 Missouri court decides whether service was proper. We send you the server's proof of service so you can file it.