Process Service Memorandum

Service is required for all documents filed in your case. Service means giving a copy of the required papers to the other party using the procedure that the law requires. Generally, there are two ways to make service: (1) personal service, or (2) service by email, mail, or hand delivery.

(1)(a) Service of original process is made by delivering a copy of it to the person to be served with a copy of the complaint, petition, or other initial pleading or paper or by leaving the copies at his or her usual place of abode with any person residing therein who is 15 years of age or older and informing the

All documents required or permitted to be served on another party must be served by e-mail, unless this rule otherwise provides.If an attorney does not designate any e-mail address for service, documents may be served on that attorney at the e-mail address on record with The Florida Bar.

All parties are required to provide an address for service when filing their documents. Service of all non-commencement documents should then be made to that address for service. Those documents may be served by regular mail or by e-mail or fax if an e-mail address or fax number has been provided.

Serve the papers in person. Service in person may be done by anyone approved by the county sheriff. Have the county sheriff serve the papers. The county sheriff is authorized to serve divorce papers. Hire a professional process server. If the respondent lives in a different county2026 If the respondent cannot be located2026

The person who starts a case is called the petitioner (pe-TI-shun-er). The person on the other side of the case is called the respondent (re-SPON-dent). After you file a petition, the respondent must be told about the case.Any person 18 years or older may serve papers, except the petitioner or respondent in your case.

In Florida, a summons must either be served by the sheriff's department in the county of the person named in the summons, or by a licensed independent process server. County sheriff's departments are busy places. They receive many, hundreds or thousands in some counties, summons that need to be served every day.

You cannot serve these papers on the other party yourself or by mail or hand delivery. Personal service must be made by the sheriff's department in the county where the other party lives or works or by a private process server certified in the county where the other party lives or works.

The Court cannot enter a default judgment against you if you have not been served. After 120 days, a new summons would need to be issued and service would need to be perfected and then you would have 20 days to file an Answer.