Process serving · Out of state
Serving someone who lives in another state
When the person you need to serve lives in another state, the papers still come from the court where your case is filed, but someone near that address has to make the attempts. We arrange a vetted local server or vendor there, quote the job before any work starts and send you the signed proof of service.
What we need from you
- The filed papers, exactly as the court issued them (summons, complaint, subpoena or notice)
- The person's name, the best address and any second address, and a description or photo if you have one
- The case caption, the court and the date by which service must be done
- The court's proof of service form, if it has one, so the server signs the right document
How we run it
- We check the address and book a local server through our network, or one of the vendors we've vetted in that area.
- You get a fixed quote first. Nothing starts until you approve it.
- The server makes the attempts at different times of day and reports each one.
- You receive the signed proof of service to file with your court.
Two sets of rules to keep in mind
The court where the case is filed decides what counts as proper service, and the state where the person is found may have its own rules about who can serve there. We don't decide either question for you. For small claims, the state-by-state table lists what 38 state courts say; for anything else, ask the clerk of your court or your attorney.
Can't find the person at all? See how skip tracing works.
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.
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
Can a New Jersey case be served on someone in Pennsylvania or New York?
Usually the papers can be served where the person is, following the rules of the court that issued them. Ask your court or attorney which method that court accepts; we arrange the server and send you the proof.
How long does an out-of-state serve take?
It depends on the server's schedule and how easy the person is to find. We give you the expected window with the quote and report each attempt, but we can't promise the person will be home.
Do you serve outside the United States?
Not through this service. International service has its own treaty rules; ask your attorney.