Becoming A Process Server in Ohio
Process Server Overview
Process servers deliver legal documents to parties that are involved in legal proceedings. These documents can range from: subpoenas; complaints; summons; writs; and other legal/court documents. Process servers are required to follow federal and state laws.
How to Become a Ohio Process Server
An Ohio Process Server is not required to be licensed.
Personal service: When a plaintiff files a written request with the Clerk for personal service, service of process must be made by that method.
When a process is issued from the Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, a Court of Common Pleas, or a County Court is to be served personally, the Clerk of the Court shall deliver the process and sufficient copies of the process and complaint or other document to be served, to the Sheriff of the County in which the party to be served resides or may be found.
When process issues from the Municipal Court, delivery shall be to the Bailiff of the Court for Service on all defendants who reside or may be found within the County or Counties in which that Court has territorial jurisdiction and to the Sheriff of any other County in this State for service upon a defendant who resides in or may be found in that other County.
In the alternative, process issuing from any of these Courts may be delivered by the Clerk to any person not less than eighteen years of age, who is not a party and who has been designated by order of the court to make service of process. The person serving process shall locate the person to be served and shall tender a copy of the process and accompanying documents to the person to be served.
When the copy of the process has been served, the person serving process shall endorse the process and return it to the Clerk, who shall make the appropriate entry on the appearance docket.
When the person serving process is unable to serve a copy of the process within twenty-eight days, the person shall endorse that fact and the reasons why on the process and return the process and copies to the Clerk who shall make the appropriate entry on the appearance docket.
In the event of failure of service, the Clerk shall follow the notification procedure set forth in division (A) of this rule. Failure to make service within the twenty-eight day period and failure to make proof of service do not affect the validity of the service.
Getting Started
Once you’re a professional process server, it’s time to connect with other professional process servers and continue your education.
NAPPS provides membership to its national association which provides exclusive membership benefits, including opportunities to further your education, grow your network and get listed on a national database of professional process servers. To learn more about NAPPS benefits, click here.
NOTE: Ohio requirements for process serving may change. Stay up-to-date on Ohio process serving requirements by contacting your city/county clerk and reviewing all applicable state laws.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about process serving, contact us.