In some states you must register to become a licensed or certified private process server.

If you aren't licensed or aren't sure if you need a license, search online for instructions on how to register to become licensed in your state or county, or check the list of states that require registrations below!

Alaska

Private process servers are required to be licensed as civilian process servers by the Alaska Commissioner of Public Safety:

https://dps.alaska.gov/getmedia/8f28c53e-06db-47e9-ba63-ddfd7977e744/CivilianProcessServerRegulations.pdf;.aspx

Arizona

Process servers are required to register as a certified private process server with the Superior Court of Arizona:

https://www.azcourts.gov/cld/Private-Process-Server

Arkansas

Individuals who serve process in the State of Arkansas are required to be appointed by the Circuit Court or County Court. Contact your county court to inquire about getting appointed! Here is a link with downloadable forms:

https://www.arcourts.gov/courts/circuit-courts/process-servers

California

Process servers in California are required to apply and be registered in the county they serve in. Registration is statewide, and the individual must have lived in California for at least one year. No classes or training is required. Every applicant is required to post a $2,000 bond or cash deposit. Contact your County Clerk’s office for information on how to register!

https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2005/bpc/22350-22360.html

Florida

Any permanent resident over 18 can serve process. Most counties require process servers to be appointed by the sheriff:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0048/Sections/0048.021.html

Georgia

Process servers in Georgia are required to be certified by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association:

https://georgiacourts.gov/ps/

In addition process servers need to be appointed by the court for each county they serve process in. Contact your local county court for more information!

Illinois

In counties with a population of less than 2,000,000, process may be served, without special appointment, by a person who is licensed or registered as a private detective under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004 or by a registered employee of a private detective agency certified under that Act.

Missouri

Process servers in the City of St Louis are required to be certified by the sheriff:

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sheriff/process-server.cfm

There is no state-wide certification, and the only counties that require process servers to be appointed are Jackson and Pettis Counties.

Montana

Anyone making more than 10 services of process in a calendar year is required to register with the Montana Department of Labor:

http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/Portals/133/Documents/psp/handbook.pdf

Nevada

Process servers in Nevada are required to be licensed through the state:

http://pilb.nv.gov/Licensees/Licensees/

New York

There is no state-wide certification, but process servers in NYC are required to be certified by the Department of Consumer Affairs:

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/businesses/info-process-servers.page

Oklahoma

Process servers in Oklahoma are required to be licensed by the state:

https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2014/title-12/section-12-158.1/

http://www.oscn.net/static/forms/aoc_forms/processserver.asp

Rhode Island

Process servers are required to be licensed as Constables by the Chief Judge of the District Court:

http://www.dbr.ri.gov/documents/divisions/commlicensing/Constables/RI_ConstableTraining_Manual.pdf

Tennessee

There is no state-wide registration in Tennessee, but some counties like Shelby and Knox require process servers to be appointed.

Texas

Process servers in Texas are required to be certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission:

http://www.txcourts.gov/jbcc/process-server-certification/

You can take the certification course for free on our training website!

https://abclegalcourses.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:125





Vermont

There is no state-wide registration, but process servers in Vermont must be authorized by the county court in which they are serving. Contact your county court for more information!

Washington

Process servers in Washington are required to register with the auditor of the county in which they reside or operate their business:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.180&full=true