Information for Firms outside of Florida

In general, Sheriffs will not serve process for cases outside of Florida.  Some Sheriffs will serve process only for the county where they are employed. In some Florida counties, only the Sheriff will serve papers.  In other counties the Sheriff and the court licensed Process Servers serve process.  And yet other counties the Sheriff provides licenses to process servers.  And there is even a situation where the Sheriff will not serve out of state pleadings and there are no civilian process servers.   It's a bit unorganized statewide.  Someday, when the Florida Supreme Court decides that they need to step in and require a unified system for licensing process servers, we will have a much more logical way to certify process servers.  But we don't see that happening anytime soon.

If you are reading this, then you are in luck.  This county has 100+ process servers vetted and licensed by the 5th Judicial Court of Florida.  These process servers meet the requirements by all states that allow service without the state by someone licensed to serve process from Florida.  You can check state Statutes, which vary widely.  Texas for instance requires that for service outside of the state, a motion and order(M&O) appointing a specific process server is required in order to be valid.  This is not to say that everyone actually goes thru the trouble of getting a M&O in Texas.

We do have information for almost every state regarding service of process.  Many states simply state that "whatever" works in Florida will work in their state.   This is a courtesy extended to Florida process servers in an effort to minimize all of the rules and regulations from around the country.  And we really appreciate it!

Since you are out of state and further than "arms length" from Florida, we have to be paid up front....just as the Sfheriff does also.  It stands to reason since a process server would never sue a law firm from out of state and then try to collect.  It's a pretty much standard procedure for any company serving process, both here and in your state.

SSN's and EIN's  MANY firms from outside of Florida, even some in Florida, try withholding payment of invoices until we send them a SSN or a EIN.  This is a classic sign of a lazy accountant.  There is only one reason why firms ask for these numbers.  It's because their accounting software requires an account number for every vendor.  Conveniently, a unique SSN/EIN works perfect.  Rather than be bothered with creating an account number or paying by petty cash, they insist on twisting the arms of everyone they do business with.  IRS regs state that SSN/EIN is required for all funds dispensed to an individual.company when the annual amount exceeds $600.  We would like to think that all of our clients from out of state were going to pay us $600/year but unfortunately, that number is closer to $50/year.  So, talk to your accountant and tell them that we will gladly provide a SSN/EIN when and if the IRS threshold is achieved.  If this means that you will not do business with us, then we respect your office policy and will decline your request for service.  These numbers are very personal and passing them over unsecure internet lines and across the desktops of paralegals and bookkeepers that may or may not be working in your office tomorrow, is not something that we would consider risking for $50.