Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Process Server
Your complaint is filed and summons issued by the Duval County Clerk of Court… now it’s time to find a process server!
Be sure to only use an approved special process server, like all of our servers here at Accurate Serve® in Jacksonville, to ensure the legitimacy of your case. Our servers know all of the laws, follow the rules, and provide valid and timely proof of service.
No matter which process server you are considering hiring, you should always ask:
Are you approved to serve process in Duval County?
All process servers in Duval County, which includes Jacksonville, must be approved by the local sheriff to serve process. No new applications are being taken at this time by the Jacksonville Sheriff, only renewal applications from already approved servers. A renewal involves:
- A detailed application review
- Recommendation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office
- A background and criminal history check
- Attending required training
- Signing a legally binding agreement with the sheriff’s department about what you can and can not do as a special process server
If the process server you are considering cannot verify that they are approved by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office, don’t risk it! Using an uncertified process server is illegal and can have big ramifications for your case. All of our servers at Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville are approved by the sheriff and can serve process all throughout Duval county.
What relevant experience do you have?
New process servers will do fine locating a defendant that doesn’t mind being served, but elusive targets require the expertise of a seasoned professional. You should also inquire about specific industries where the potential server has worked or if they specialize in a certain demographic.
What about proof of service?
You should always ask the prospective server about their proof of service process. If service by substitution or publication is likely in your case, ask about their procedures for proof of service in those cases as well.
Will I get daily updates?
Whether you want daily updates or just want to know when the job is done, we’ve got you covered at Accurate Serve®. You can log-in to your online account anytime to view the status of your case right on our website.
How much do you charge?
The agreement that process servers sign with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office mandates that all fees charged for process serving must be reasonable. However, this doesn’t mean that process servers work for free. For easy to locate defendants and witnesses, you can expect to be charged just a base fee. On the other hand, for difficult to locate targets, those fees will climb as the amount of work to find them increases. Be prepared by providing the process server with addresses, phone numbers, and other information that will help them locate the intended process recipient, and your process serving fees will be significantly lower.
Hiring a process server can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Contact Accurate Serve® in Jacksonville at (904) 735-7810 or contact us online for all your service of process needs in Duval County. Our team of trained professionals serve process quickly and in compliance with all Florida state laws every single day. We can help you save time and money on your firm’s cases as well!