Guidelines: How to Hire a Process Server
- March 29, 2016
- by ServeNow Staff
If you would like to hire a process server, you are looking for someone who is reputable, organized, and professional. To hire a process server, simply contact process servers in your area and ask for quotes and service options. Most, if not all, process servers are available by phone and email and will be able to answer questions regarding legal service of process and what their company offers.
Locate a competent process server.
If you do not have time to personally look through the credentials of the many process servers in your area, consider employing a professional from ServeNow.com, a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. By only accepting knowledgeable servers in our network, ServeNow.com takes away the uncertainty from hiring a server in the U.S. or internationally.
Process servers should be familiar with the local rules and regulations, courthouses, and their coverage area. Feel free to ask process servers questions about the service and factors that will help you make your hiring decision. Job attempts, success rate, and what to expect are great starter questions.
Do a comparison of rates, and anticipate paying more for faster service.
The cost of having papers served frequently depends on how many attempts it takes and what turn-around-time is anticipated. Same-day or rush services ordinarily cost more. A “routine” service that takes between five and seven days can cost as little as $20 or as much as $100 in some locations. The national average is between $45 and $75. You might want to check with a few different professionals in your area to compare costs before you agree to employ someone. Keep in mind that your final intention is to have your documents effectively served, so the expertise and practical knowledge of the process server are substantially more important than the cost of the service.
It is important to note what you are getting for the cost of the service. Since process servers customize their services, some may be more expensive because they offer more serve attempts, multiple addresses, or including skip tracing. Make sure that you understand what is included in the cost of service before making your final decision.
Look for association memberships.
If a server is a member of local and/or national associations, he or she is probably to be up-to-date on ethics and regulations applicable to the profession. It is important to select an expert who is familiar with the appropriate laws in your state because someone who violates the law will result in an unacceptable service for you.
Check your state's laws regarding process servers to see if your state requires licensing. If so, make sure that your process server's license is up to date.
Learn about the server’s communication methods.
Is it critical to you to be able to effortlessly contact the process server for information? Do you wish to know the moment the service is accomplished? Make certain you ask the process serving firm you are considering hiring about how and when they will be in touch with you. One effortless way to work together with servers and obtain electronic updates is to use ServeManager software, which is comparable to online tracking of packages from the major delivery companies.
A process server should quickly and reliably respond to emails and phone calls. If there is a strict deadline, you will want to be able to easily reach your process server for updates and affidavit status. Recognizing their communication standards before hiring can be a good indicator of how responsive they will be if you hire them.
Make it uncomplicated for the process server to serve your papers.
No matter who you hire, provide the server with as much information as possible so they can find and serve the subject. The more you give the process server to work with, the higher the success rate. Information that you can give to assist the server includes up-to-date residential and/or business addresses, telephone numbers, vehicle descriptions, work hours, physical descriptions and even photos.
How do I find a trusted local process server?
Ideally, a process server is local, experienced, and communicative. ServeNow makes it easy to find an ideal process server for you. Contact the process servers in our network to see if they can help you serve your papers. ServeNow.com is a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers. To find a professional process server, please visit ServeNow.com or call (877) 737-8366.
