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Requirements to become a Process Server
Requirements to become a Process Server

state requirement, licensing, registration, certification, minimum age, serving, process server, education, become a process server

James Racina avatar
Written by James Racina
Updated over a week ago

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So you want to become a process server? Each state may have their own requirements to serve process. We've compiled this list to help you on your way!

Please be advised this information can change at any time and one should check their states requirements for updates regarding process serving by visiting the state legislative/judicial website or contacting their state legislature.

KEY

Licensing/Certification/Registration: Process Server License or certificate that is granted by the court/state department authorizing you to serve process.

Residency: Residing in the state you are serving or process in

Age: Minimum age to serve process

Insurance/Bonding: Having your business/yourself insured and/or bonded

Additional Requirements: Any additional requirements that are not listed above that may be required to serve process.

Requirements to become a process server are listed in alphabetical order by state.

Click your state to jump to requirements:

IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MA | MD | ME | MI | MN | MO | MS | MT

NC | ND | NE | NH | NJ | NM | NV | NY | | OH | OK | OR | PA


Alabama

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required, recommended

Additional Requirements:


Alaska

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Must be licensed by the Alaska Commission of Public Safety. Click HERE for more information.

Residency Requirement: Resident of Alaska for at least 30 days immediately proceeding date of application.

Age Requirement: 21 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: A surety bond of $15,000 is required for each process server. There are different requirements for companies with multiple process servers.

Additional Requirements: U.S. Citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residency, a valid Alaska or municipal business license (if required), passage of written examination, fingerprints.


Arkansas

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Licensing Required per county. Click HERE for more information.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: May be required by county

Additional Requirements: A citizen of the United States; must have high school diploma or equivalent; not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or a crime involving dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment; hold a valid driver’s license from one of the United States; and demonstrate familiarity with the various documents to be served.


Arizona

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Certification Required. Click HERE for more information.

Residency Requirement: Resident of Arizona for minimum of 1 year.

Age Requirement: 18 years or older to serve subpoenas, 21 years old or older to be licensed.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement:

Additional Requirements: Fingerprint submission, passage of exam, completion of application.


California

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Registration in county serving in, required if an individual serves more than 10 papers a year.

Residency Requirement: Resident for one year immediately preceding filing.

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Required to post a $2,000 bond or cash deposit.

Additional Requirements: You will need to obtain two passport photos (1” x 1”). Licensed private investigators are exempt from the registration requirement but are likely not permitted to serve bank levies and similar documents without being registered per the statutory language requiring that a registered process server serve those documents.


Colorado

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Connecticut

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: All process shall be directed to a sheriff, his deputy, a constable or other proper officer authorized by statute. A direction on the process “to any proper officer” shall be sufficient to direct the process to a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or other proper officer. Marshals are used in the state for process serving.

Residency Requirement: Not Applicable

Age Requirement: Not Applicable

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Applicable

Additional Requirements:


Delaware

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Court of Chancery, Family Court, Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace each have their own requirements. Find more information HERE.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older. ***Some courts may require 21 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Florida

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Licensing required per county. Each county may have a different method of licensing; Court Certified, Sheriff Appointed, and Motion and Order. Some counties may require two methods.

Residency Requirement: Permanent Residency Required

Age Requirement: Please check with county requirements.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Each county has its own requirements

Additional Requirements: If a license is obtained in one jurisdiction, whether court-certified or sheriff-appointed, it cannot be used to serve in any other area. Licensing is required in each area you serve in.


Georgia

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Requires appointment per case by court documents are filed in.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Must obtain a surety bond

Additional Requirements: Citizen of the United States, Background Check, be appointed by a court administrator or judge. Completion of a 12-hour pre-certification class, passing of an exam administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts


Hawaii

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older (not a party to the case, or a member of a corporation or organization that is a party to the case)

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements: There is a list of private process servers in the state. Click HERE for more information on how to get on the list.


Idaho

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older , not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Illinois

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required statewide, required for Cook County.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements: A licensed private detective can serve process without special appointment in all counties except for Cook County.


Indiana

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Iowa

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Kansas

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Some courts may require licensing

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Some courts where licensing is required may have their insurance or bond requirements.

Additional Requirements:


Kentucky

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Louisiana

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Maine

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Maryland

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Massachusetts

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Michigan

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not an officer of a corporate party.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Minnesota

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Mississippi

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Missouri

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required except in St. Louis, MO.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case. *St. Louis is 21 years or older.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required. *St. Louis does require E&O of $100,000

Additional Requirements: Those in St. Louis must pass a training course, have a high school diploma or GED, and have no criminal record.


Montana

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Certificate required if you are doing more than 10 services of process in a calendar year. Click HERE for more information.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Requires a surety bond of $10,000 per individual and $100,000 for each firm. You cannot levy on an amount in excess of your bond.

Additional Requirements: Pass a written exam based on Handbook for Process Servers (Montana Department of Labor and Industry)


Nebraska

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required.

Residency Require: Not Required

Age Requirement: 21 years or older, not a party to the action, not related to a party to the action, and no interest in the action, and not a public official employed by the county where service is made, whose duties include service of process.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Requires a $15,000 surety bond.

Additional Requirements:


Nevada

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Licensing Required. Click HERE for more information.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Liability insurance with limits in amounts of not less than $200,000.00

Additional Requirements: In order to serve process in Nevada you will need to have two years of industry experience(2,000 hours each year, totaling 4,000 hours). Experience must be certified by your employer on the forms provided in the application. Be a citizen of the United States or lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States. You will have to undergo a criminal history background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Nevada Department of Public Safety. Passage of a State Board examination with a score of 75% or better.


New Hampshire

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


New Jersey

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


New Mexico

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


New York

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Individual license is required for those serving five or more processes in a one-year period. City of New York requires licensing for those serving in the five boroughs area. (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens)

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: City of New York five borough area requires individual process servers must pay surety bon of $10,000, agencies must pay $100,000

Additional Requirements: Background check, Passport sized photo needed, purchase of a New York Process Server Bond, passage of exam.


North Carolina

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 21 years or older and not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


North Dakota

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older, not party nor interested in the action of the case.

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Ohio

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Oklahoma

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Licensing Required. Click HERE for more information (pages 61-64)

Residency Requirement: Required, minimum of 6 months

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Requires execution of a bond to the State of Oklahoma for $5,000

Additional Requirements:


Oregon

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: If serving a Writ of Garnishment, you must have E&O Insurance coverage with minimum limits of $100,000.

Additional Requirements:


Pennsylvania

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Rhode Island

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


South Carolina

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party or attorney to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


South Dakota

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Tennessee

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required except in Shelby County.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: $15,000 bond required for Shelby County

Additional Requirements: Shelby County-proof of valid business license, background check


Texas

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Requires certification.

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements: TX Drivers License, must pass a background check, must pass accredited course and complete 8 hours of continued education


Utah

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to a case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Vermont

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Must be authorized by the county court in which you are serving.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party tp the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Virginia

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older who is not a party or otherwise interested in the subject matter in controversy

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Washington

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Registration with the county auditor in which you reside/operate your business, is required

Residency Requirement: Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Washington D.C.

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the case

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


West Virginia

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older, not a party to the case and has no vested interest in the outcome

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Wisconsin

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Not Required

Residency Requirement: Required unless residing in IL, IA, MI, MN.

Age Requirement: 18 years or older and not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:


Wyoming

Licensing/Certification/Registration Requirement: Authorization by the county court in which you are serving in is required.

Residency Requirement: Not Required

Age Requirement: 18 years or older, not a party to the action

Insurance/Bonding Requirement: Not Required

Additional Requirements:

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