What does a process server do?
A process server is a neutral third party who delivers legal documents to named parties in lawsuits and legal proceedings, according to the rules laid out by the state.
This is an essential part of the American legal system. Every individual who is named in a lawsuit or legal claim has a right to be informed of their status as a defendant or named party. To ensure that the right to due process is protected, lawyers and other professionals use process servers to hand-deliver legal papers. In some cases, they may be able to send paperwork through the mail.
Process servers handle legal papers with care as they find and correctly identify the recipient who needs to be served with process. Then, they document the delivery in accordance with state rules, creating a paper trail that documents exactly how and when the documents were transferred.
What it takes to be a process server in Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not require its process servers to be licensed. This makes it especially important to find someone who knows what to do, as there is no licensing body who verifies their knowledge.
According to Rule 4(c) of Rhode Island’s Code of Civil Procedure:
- Service of all process can be made by a “duly authorized officer in accordance with Title 9, Chapter 5 (Writs, Summons, and Process) of the Rhode Island General Laws”
- Service can also be made by “any person who is not a party and who is at least eighteen (18) years of age”
This means process servers in Rhode Island must:
- Either be authorized officers under state law, OR
- Be at least 18 years old AND not be a party to the case
Additional rules for Rhode Island process servers
Process servers must understand all of the rules that govern their work
- Time Limit for Service: Under Rule 4(l), service must be made within 120 days after the commencement of the action, or the court may dismiss the action without prejudice.
- Personal Service Methods: Rule 4(e)(1) allows service upon an individual by delivering copies personally, leaving copies at their dwelling with a suitable person, or delivering to an authorized agent.
- Service on Corporations: Under Rule 4(e)(3), corporations can be served by delivering documents to an officer, director, manager, general agent, or by leaving copies at an office with an employee.
- Service on State: Per Rule 4(e)(4), the state is served by delivering copies to the attorney general or an assistant attorney general.
- Waiver of Service Option: Rule 4(d) provides a procedure in which defendants can waive formal service. If they refuse without good cause, they may bear the costs of formal service.
- Service Outside the State: Rules 4(f) and 4(g) provide methods for serving individuals and corporations outside Rhode Island and in foreign countries.
- Service by Publication: Rule 4(i) allows service by publication in newspapers when complete service cannot be made by other methods, particularly in cases described in subdivision (h).
- Language Assistance Notice Requirement: Rule 1(b)(2) requires that service of case-initiating documents must include a Language Assistance Notice informing recipients about rights to free foreign language interpreters.
- Proof of Service Requirements: Rule 4(j) requires the person who serves the process to make proof of service on the original process or attached paper, and file it with the plaintiff’s attorney or self-represented litigant.
- Electronic Filing Impact: Rule 1(b) establishes mandatory electronic filing requirements that affect how documents are handled, though the actual service of process still follows traditional physical delivery methods.
Benefits of working with Firefly Legal’s process servers in Rhode Island
Working with Firefly Legal’s network of process servers gives you access to consistent, accurate, and professional service of process.
We’re proud to share that:
- Our clients consistently report being highly satisfied with our process servers
- Our support staff is committed to providing professional customer service
- We consistently pioneer new ways to use technology
- We always provide clear communication about cases
- You can expect quick results from our team
Only the top Rhode Island process servers get the Firefly Legal stamp of approval!
How Firefly Legal process servers use technology
We are industry leaders when it comes to implementing new technologies to make the service of process more efficient. Technology is an essential key for process servers to be able to do their work faster and more effectively.
You’ll see our servers using the best software in the industry to:
- provide accurate real-time updates for our clients
- complete pre-skip work, whenever it is needed
- access GPS coordinates
- quickly access photos and detailed descriptions of defendants
- use third-party case management software
- achieve Electronic Data Interface bridging (EDI)
We also provide our servers and clients with access to our proprietary Firefly Legal mobile app. Digitizing the service of process means that we can keep your cases moving forward at a pace that keeps up with your needs.
Firefly Legal’s core values: Professionalism and integrity
Our values of professionalism and integrity have been at the core of our operations for as long as we have been in business. That’s 25 years of living out our values!
It is our goal to provide you with such excellent customer service that you never have a reason to be dissatisfied with one of our servers or staff members. However, if anything ever goes wrong, reach out to us. We want to fix it! We are committed to giving you answers and solutions that work.
How we’ve built our reputation in Rhode Island
We’ve built our reputation by providing our clients with process servers who do their work accurately, quickly, and professionally.
In addition:
Because our network of process servers is nationwide, we provide opportunities for professional development and connection. We encourage our servers to go through specialized training beyond state requirements.
Our expectation is that all of our servers stay up to date with industry trends so they can become the best servers in the nation.