In-person service of process is now seamlessly integrated into the case initiation workflow for select courts and states. You can now arrange direct service to a party’s home or place of business prior to checkout, eliminating redundant steps in your filing workflow. Once your initial filing is accepted by the court, your selected partner automatically fulfills the order. Read on to learn how to check availability and add service of process to your next filing.
Request Service of Process in a Case Initiation
One you have filled out your case initiation information and uploaded your documents, the following section will be available for you to request service of process.
- You may check the box Yes, I would like to have documents served directly to parties. to begin an order.
- If you wish to select one of the new case parties you entered in the above section of the filing, you can select them from the drop down list.
- If you wish to order service to a party that is not in the drop down list, you may click the “Add a New Party link” to add them.
Add an Individual Party
- Individual Radio Button: To add an individual party, select the “Individual” radio button, enter a first and last name, and enter any information that may assist the process server execute service.
If you selected an individual party from the drop down to start the order, our system will auto-select the individual party option and populate that party’s name in the corresponding field.
Disburse Witness Fees – If you need to disburse witness fees for a party, please enter the Disbursement Amount and the Payee (whom we should make the check out to) in the Service Instructions text box. We will collect this amount upon completion of the order. - Party Description: Click the link marked “Party Description – Click this link to provide details to aid service” to expand a section to provide a detailed physical description of the individual. To increase the likelihood of a successful serve, aim for at least five distinguishing features, such as height, hair color, eye color, any noticeable tattoos, or specific clothing preferences.
- Service Address: A full address is required for the individual you wish to serve. If you’re uncertain about the target’s exact location, consider requesting a skip trace to obtain more accurate details.
- Search Process Server Directory: Once you enter a service address, our system will perform a search of our process server directory so that you may select a Partner Agency. If you make changes to the address, you may click the button to perform another search.
Partner Agency
You may now select your Partner Agency to use for service. One Legal Fulfillment Services is selected by default to serve your party. Based on your address, we also provided three alternate agencies. Click the heart icon on any agency to save it as a favorite.
Add an Organization/Business Party
- Organization Radio Button: To add an organization party, select the “Organization” radio button, enter an organization’s name, and enter any information that may assist the process server execute service.
If you selected an organization party from the drop down to start the order, our system will auto-select the organization party option and populate that party’s name in the corresponding field.
- Registered Agent: When serving a business or organization, it’s crucial to identify the agent for service. This is the individual or entity designated to receive legal documents on behalf of the business. You may select a registered agent from the list in this section or if you choose, select the Other option, to enter a service address and Search Process Server Directory.
- Service Address: A full address is required for the registered agent/authorized agent you wish to serve.
- Search Process Server Directory: Once you enter a service address, our system will perform a search of our process server directory so that you may select a Partner Agency. If you make changes to the address, you may click the button to perform another search.
Partner Agency
If you select the Registered Agent option of Other, you may now select a Partner Agency to use for service. One Legal Fulfillment Services is selected by default to serve your party. Based on your address, we also provided three alternate agencies. Click the heart icon on any agency to save it as a favorite.
Review Party Information and Estimated Fees
Once you have added a party, you will see two tables you will want to review to confirm your order is correct.
- Service Party: Please review all party information for accuracy before submitting the filing. If anything is incorrect, edit your information or remove the party. Additionally, you may add another party to be served.
- Service Fees: After you have entered all parties you wish to have served, you will find a list of the parties with the estimated fees associated for serving that party. You will then choose a payment type for the service of process. Each party will be invoiced separately using that payment type.
Please note: these fees are estimated at this point and are subject to change. Filers will be required to check the box acknowledging that they understand the fees are estimated.
Service of Process Delivery
Once the filing clerk at the Court approves the case initiation and file-stamps your documents, One Legal’s Service of Process team will begin the process of serving your parties those file-stamped documents.
Attempts
Regardless of your chosen service frequency (see below), your assigned process server will make up to five attempts to effect service. If service is not effectuated after five attempts, you will receive a non-service report and be presented with the option to purchase additional attempts.
Frequency
When placing your order, you may choose between two frequency options:
- Standard Delivery: This is the default service frequency. Your server will make the first attempt within three business days of receiving your order. The server will then then make a minimum of one attempt every three days after that (up to five total).
- Rush Priority: If you request rush priority for an order, the server will need to receive that order before noon (12 p.m.) in the time zone of your service target for the first attempt to be made the same day. This is contingent on the date and time the filing clerk at the Court accepts the filing. The first attempt on orders received after noon (12 p.m.) will be made the next day. Attempts will be made every subsequent day (up to five total).
Communicate with your Agency
You can message your agency once your order is In Process. Simply open the accepted filing and scroll to the Service of Process section. Because each party has its own status, you must send messages to each party individually rather than combining them into one (letters A and B). Click Send Agency Message next to the party, select a topic (e.g., Address Update, Fee Question, Status Request), and enter a message up to 500 characters.
When you click the Send Agency Message link, a popup will display which allows you to choose the type of message you are sending (ie. Update Address, Question about Fees, Status Request, etc) and then send a brief message (no more than 500 characters long).
8. Cancel a Service of Process Order
If you find you need to cancel a Service or Process order, you will want to communicate that with your agency by sending them a message as instructed in the previous tab.
You will need to send the message for each separate party that needs to be cancelled. Click the Send Message link and once the popup displays choose the message type of CANCEL. Then send a brief message for the cancellation. Repeat this process for each party that you wish to cancel Service of Process.
