Who Can Serve Papers in Florida?

The courts will require that legal papers be served to all parties listed in a civil case. But who can serve the papers? Can you deliver them yourself? Can you have a friend do it? Here are the answers you need to know.

Sheriffs and Private Process Servers

In the state of Florida, only sheriffs and registered private process servers can serve legal papers for the courts. You cannot have a friend deliver the papers, nor can you deliver them yourself. Parties in a case must be served to ensure due process, and the courts need documentation that this has been done. By requiring a sheriff or registered process server to deliver the papers, they get confirmation of service from an independent third party.

Registered Process Servers

A process server in Florida must meet certain conditions in order to legally serve papers. The process server must be registered with the courts, as well as put up a bond. Process servers also have to go through training and education, which is tested as part of the process to become a process server. Process servers may work on their own or as a part of a company. The bigger the company, the more likely they will be able to meet your needs quickly.

In addition, registered private process servers can have no mental, physical, or legal disability that would affect their ability to do their job properly. A legal disability could be a pending criminal case, a felony on your criminal record, or current probation.

If you are interested in hiring a qualified private process server to handle your case, contact us today.