The History of NAPPS

In October of 1982, a dedicated group of process servers from 11 states met in Las Vegas to form an association for the principal purpose of combating proposed federal legislation that would allow service of a summons and complaint by certified mail.

That group, under the leadership of two members of the California Association of Legal Support Professionals (CALSPro) ---Thomas Bowman Jr. and Andrew Estin - the 42 individuals attending that meeting approved the formation of the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS).

In the 34 years since its founding, NAPPS has had a profound influence on the laws pertaining to the service of process. In addition to its success in beating back the federal certified mail amendment, NAPPS protected the right of process servers to obtain change of address and box holder information from the United States Postal Service, when that information was denied to all others as result of postal regulation amendments in 1994. That same year NAPPS also successfully fought to amend the DMV provision of the Crime Bill, to keep process servers from being excluded from access to driver's license information. Additionally, NAPPS has assisted various state associations in their efforts to effect civil rule changes in their states and to fight adverse legislation when necessary.

With a current membership of over 2,000, NAPPS is the largest non-profit organization of its kind in the world. It has members in all 50 states and 18 foreign countries. Its membership directory (published annually) has information on all members as well as the Civil Rules of Procedure and relevant statutes pertaining to the service of process in all 50 states.

The NAPPS website has a detailed listing of all members and a variety of forms and educational materials. Approximately 17,000 viewers access the website each month.

Although NAPPS does accept paid advertising in The Docket Sheet and on its website, it does not accept advertising in its printed directory.

Further information about NAPPS can be obtained by emailing administrator@napps.org or by calling 800-477-8211.