Hiring a process server is a critical step in ensuring that legal documents are properly delivered in compliance with Florida law. Whether serving a summons, subpoena, or complaint, having accurate and up-to-date information is essential for a successful service attempt. At Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville, serving Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Orange Park, we emphasize the importance of providing correct details to improve efficiency, avoid delays, and ensure the validity of service.
Why Accurate Information Matters
Providing a process server with incorrect or outdated information can lead to:
- Failed service attempts – If an address or contact information is incorrect, the process server may be unable to locate the recipient.
- Increased costs – Multiple attempts at different locations or additional investigative work, such as skip tracing, can raise service fees.
- Legal delays – Improper service can delay legal proceedings, as the recipient must be notified before a case can move forward.
- Invalid service of process – If the service is not properly completed due to misinformation, the court may reject the case or require reservice.
To avoid these issues, ensuring accurate and detailed information when hiring a process server is crucial.
Key Information to Provide to a Process Server
When hiring a process server, make sure to gather and provide the following details to maximize the chances of successful service:
1. Full Name and Identifying Information
The more identifying details you provide about the recipient, the easier it is for the process server to locate them. Helpful information includes:
- Full legal name (including any aliases or nicknames)
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, hair color, distinguishing features)
- Recent photograph, if available
2. Current and Previous Addresses
Having a current address is critical, but providing past addresses can also be useful, especially if the recipient has recently moved. Helpful address details include:
- Home address (apartment/unit numbers included)
- Work address (including business name and job title)
- Any known secondary residences or frequent locations
3. Contact Information
If possible, providing additional contact information can help process servers track down the individual. This includes:
- Phone numbers (home, work, and mobile)
- Email addresses
- Social media profiles (if relevant)
4. Work Schedule and Daily Routine
Understanding a recipient’s work hours or habits can improve the efficiency of service attempts. If they are rarely home during the day, a process server can attempt service in the evening or at their place of employment. Information that can help includes:
- Typical work hours and days
- Known lunch breaks or commute times
- Frequent locations they visit (gym, coffee shop, relatives’ homes)
5. Known Associates or Family Members
If the recipient is difficult to locate, friends, relatives, or coworkers may provide valuable clues about their whereabouts. Providing the names of close contacts can increase the likelihood of successful service.
6. Special Circumstances or Safety Concerns
If the recipient has a history of violence, evading service, or living in a gated community, informing the process server in advance can help them prepare accordingly. Important details include:
- Whether they have threatened or confronted process servers in the past
- Whether they are known to carry weapons
- If they live in a secured building requiring special access
- If they have a history of avoiding legal documents
The Role of Skip Tracing in Finding Difficult Recipients
When an individual cannot be found using the provided information, skip tracing may be necessary. Skip tracing is an investigative technique that utilizes:
- Public records and property ownership data
- Credit reports and utility bill registrations
- Social media activity and online presence
- Employment records and business registrations
At Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville, our team is skilled in skip tracing and diligent searches to track down even the most evasive individuals.
Ensuring a Legally Valid Service
Even with the right information, process servers must follow Florida’s strict legal guidelines to ensure service is valid. This includes:
- Serving the correct person – Misidentifying the recipient can result in an invalid service attempt.
- Following proper service methods – Florida law (Chapter 48, Florida Statutes) outlines approved service methods, such as personal delivery or substitute service.
- Documenting every service attempt – Process servers provide proof of service with time-stamped records and affidavits.
Why Choose Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville?
At Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville, we specialize in professional, legally compliant process serving in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Orange Park. Our team ensures that:
- Every service attempt is handled efficiently and professionally.
- We utilize advanced investigative tools when recipients are difficult to locate.
- All service of process is completed in full compliance with Florida law.
Need Process Serving in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or Orange Park?
If you need reliable process service, providing accurate information will help ensure a smooth and successful service attempt. Contact Accurate Serve® of Jacksonville today at your local office or send us a work request online. We are here to assist with all your process serving needs across Northeast Florida!
- Jacksonville (904) 735-7810
- Orange Park (904) 579-2232
- St. Augustine (904) 671-8482
