What Kind of Papers Does a Process Server Serve?

Amaro Hesen • June 19, 2024

You may wonder, “What kind of papers does a process server serve?” Perhaps a process server visited your workplace to drop off documents to one of your coworkers, and now you’re curious.


Think of process servers as official messengers of the court. They deliver paperwork that compels witnesses to appear in a trial, notifies defendants of an impending lawsuit, and much more.


Below, learn about a few types of paperwork served in legal cases. 


Types of Papers Served by Process Servers


How do defendants know someone is suing them? The plaintiff doesn’t just call the defendant and say, “See you in court.” Rather, they hire a process server to deliver the news on their behalf.


This is just one example of what process servers do. We’ll go over a few more types of documents handled by process servers next.


Subpoenas


If you’ve ever watched a police drama on TV, you might have heard a lawyer say, “We need to subpoena that witness.” To do that, the lawyer will need the help of a process server.


When asking, "What kind of papers does a process server serve?" you might also wonder, "What exactly is a subpoena?" Put simply, it’s a document that compels a person, such as a witness, to appear in court and provide information on certain legal matters. The full legal term for this is “subpoena ad testificandum.”


If an attorney needs someone to provide certain evidence, they will have a process server deliver a subpoena duces tecum instead.


Writs


Writs are legal documents issued by a court. There are five types of writs, and each has a different purpose. These include:

  • Habeas corpus: A writ that requires a person under arrest to appear before a judge
  • Prohibition: A writ from a higher court that prevents a lower court from interfering with the determination of a case pending appeal
  • Writ of quo warranto: A common law remedy used to challenge someone’s right to hold corporate or public office
  • Certiorari: A writ used to seek judicial review of a lower court’s decision
  • Mandamus: An order to a government entity or official commanding it/them to perform legally required duties


Summons


What kind of papers does a process server serve? Process servers commonly deliver a summons, a document informing a person they must appear in court.


There are three kinds of summons:

  • Citation, also called a traffic violation ticket
  • Civil summons, which is a summons from one individual to another
  • Administrative summons, which is a summons from an administrative body, such as a tax agency

Complaints


A complaint is a written statement that outlines a plaintiff’s legal case. Typically, a civil summons will include a complaint.


A legal complaint must include the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant(s). It must also include what remedy the plaintiff wants. Once the defendant has received the complaint, they must respond within a set period (varies by state; usually 30 to 60 days).


Other Legal Documents Served by Process Servers


The above documents aren’t the only ones process servers can deliver. They can also serve:

  • Divorce petitions
  • Eviction notices
  • Freezing orders (an order that preserves a defendant’s assets until judgment is passed)
  • Statutory demands (a warning from a creditor asking the debtor to pay their debt)
  • Contact orders, also called restraining orders
  • Bankruptcy petitions


Learn More About Documents Served for Legal Proceedings


If you’re still wondering, “What kind of papers does a process server serve?” or need a skip tracer to help track down a missing person, reach out to Professional Process Servers & Investigators, Inc. at (844) 722-8835 or contact us online to learn more about papers delivered by process servers.

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