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Ohio Process Servers

Firefly Legal can take care of your process serving and skip tracing so that you don’t have to face serving obstacles or fail to file a legal case.

 

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In Ohio, a process server is a vital component of the legal process. If you’re an Ohio attorney and can’t find a trustworthy, legally compliant process server, you may find that your client’s legal case goes nowhere. At the very least, an inept process server could cause major headaches and delays in your case.

You need to use a process serving company with a reliable, established track record. You should be able to focus on the big picture of your case and fight for justice on the behalf of your client.

Process Servers can serve these documents to individuals, businesses, or other entities involved in the legal process.
Process servers are familiar with the laws and regulations governing the service of legal documents in their jurisdiction.

What You Need to Know About Process Servers in Ohio

It’s vital that you research the available process servers in your area of Ohio before you make a selection. An excellent process serving business will partner with you and develop a mutual professional relationship that enables you to consistently rely on their services.

The ideal Ohio process server is an unbiased third party with a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations surrounding serving processes in Ohio. The process serving team of Firefly Legal is committed to adherence to legal compliance and industry top standards.

Let’s take a look at what the role of a process server entails, why you need a trustworthy process server, and the Ohio regulations on process serving.

How Does Process Serving in Ohio Work?

The law mandates that a process server is an unbiased third party with no personal interest in the case at hand. This professional must then serve legal documents to named defendants in a timely fashion that allows for legal due process as afforded by the US Constitution.

Upon serving the legal documents, an Ohio process server must secure proof of service in a manner that complies with Ohio laws and regulations. In civil proceedings, a server most commonly delivers a complaint or a summons to notify a defendant of a filed lawsuit and/or the date they must appear in court.

The Steps a Process Server Must Take

In Ohio, the process server is responsible for overseeing, managing, and delivering court documents to named defendants in a case. Here are the steps that occur in the routine of a process server:

  • A plaintiff chooses to file a written request for an in-person summons (Summons in Ohio can also be delivered via certified or express mail).
  • The process server is assigned delivery of the in-person summons or complaint, and then must hand deliver the legal documents to the named defendants or legal representatives of the named defendants.
  • Identification and discovery of the named defendants. The process server must verify that the correct, named defendant has been served. This step may require database searches and technology trackers.
  • Ensure that process serving is complete in a timely manner in order to give the defendant (s) an appropriate amount of time to respond.
  • If documents are unable to be served within 28 days of their issue, the process server must legally verify this, provide evidence of service, and return all documents to the court clerk.
  • Keep the employer posted on the status of the legal documents. In other words, ensure that the hiring attorney is aware of process serving details, including any failed attempts to serve documents.
  • Provide evidence of certified or express mail delivery to the court clerk.

What Documents Does a Process Server Deliver?

A process server is typically used in civil litigation cases, and could be responsible for a variety of legal documents. Some of the documents a process server might deliver include:

  • Citations
  • An order to show cause
  • Discovery documents
  • Divorce papers
  • Eviction notices
  • Landlord notifications
  • Motions
  • Petitions
  • Subpoenas
  • Tenant notifications

Why Attorneys Need an Ohio Process Server

Legally, Ohio attorneys must have an unbiased third party deliver any vital legal documents to named defendants. Although some law firms choose to use in-house process servers, it’s tough to ensure that an in-house employee can meet the unbiased criteria required.

An established, proven process serving company can give you peace of mind, and allow you to concentrate on seeking justice in your case. You can rely on expedient service and legal compliance if you develop a professional relationship with the right team of process servers.

Reliable Ohio Process Servers You Can Trust

Firefly Legal has over 25 years of experience offering excellence, integrity, and innovative solutions for the process serving needs of Ohio attorneys. With locations in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, our team can efficiently serve legal documents throughout Ohio.

If you choose to utilize our services, you can expect the following:

  • Adherence to industry standards:
    We remain committed to providing excellent service that adheres to the top standards of the process serving industry.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail:
    The team at Firefly Legal understands that a careless process server can cause lawyers major headaches and push obstacles in the path of justice. Our process servers will follow every detail of Ohio laws and regulations, and we conduct audits after every process serving is complete.
  • Discretion in serving:
    We understand that lawsuits can be emotional for everyone involved. If discretion and sensitivity are required when our process servers deliver documents, our team uses sensitive delivery methods — especially when handling confidential information.
  • Ensured legal compliance:
    Our Ohio process servers have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations in place, and are committed to remaining in legal compliance with each set of legal documents they serve.
  • Innovative solutions:
    Our clients’ needs stand as our greatest priority. Thus, it’s vital that we tailor-meet your needs. We utilize the latest technological tools to better serve you, and will work with you to ensure we can provide customized, innovative solutions.
  • Nationwide offices:
    Firefly has established teams working across the nation. If you need our process serving services in another state, we’re here for you.
  • Open communication and partnership:
    We consider each attorney we work with to be a partner in our processes. We will provide open, transparent communication to update you on the progress of your process serving requirements.
  • Reliability and integrity:
    Our Ohio process servers will never use deceptive or illegal practices to deliver your legal documents. We will represent you with honesty and reliability, and ensure your case can proceed.
  • Skip tracing:
    If the recipients of your legal documents try to avoid receiving the information we serve on your behalf, we will quickly utilize skip tracing methods. We’ll audit via online searches, available databases, and last known addresses and places of employment to ensure your required process serving promptly proceeds.

We’ll keep you informed and contact you immediately after we’re able to locate a named defendant and serve your documents.

Serve Defendants right the first time.

Being a leader in the civil process service industry means providing our clients with unparalleled integrity, excellence, and reliability.

  • Committed to a first-class experience for clients.
  • Continual track record of a high success rate of service of process.
  • Thorough and accurate
    to guarantee files are completed correctly.
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  • Able to deliver service in a reliable and timely manner.
  • Compliant with all local and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Licensed and insured private detective agency protecting your interests.

    IL License No.: 117-001465

Ohio Regulations and Laws You Need to Know

Process serving laws and regulations vary from state to state — whether you’re enlisting a process server in Ohio or elsewhere, it’s important to understand the guidelines in place. Ohio’s laws are less restrictive on who can become a process server than in some states, but there are still nuances to legal compliance.

Ohio Civ. R. 4.1 mandates that civil process serving can be conducted via certified or express mail, but is only validated with a return receipt from the intended recipient of the legal documents. Legal documents may also be delivered through a commercial carrier service, but still requires a written signature.

The county clerk will then enter into record the proof of delivery in the appearance docket. If a plaintiff selects an in-person process server via written request, a county clerk may approve a designated delivery from a third party, or, the bailiff from the designated court may serve a defendant.

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Process servers handle sensitive and confidential information, and they are expected to maintain discretion and professionalism in their work.

Who’s Qualified to be an Ohio Process Server?

Ohio doesn’t require licensing or registration to become a process server. Therefore, anyone who wants to walk this professional path and can find gainful employment can become a process server.

Thus, it’s extremely vital that attorneys research a process serving firm before selecting the right professional team. Great process servers exist in Ohio, but not every firm of process servers is created equal.

Ohio Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for civil suits in Ohio varies, but always falls between one and four years. This means that a plaintiff must file a lawsuit within the allotted time window or risk nullifying the legal merit of their case.

If your client chooses to serve a defendant with written notice, it’s important that this occurs, and the case is filed with the courts, before the statute of limitations runs out. Therefore, process servers can prove to be vital cogs in the wheels of justice.

Contact Firefly Legal

An Ohio process server needs to be reliable and possess thorough knowledge of the state regulations surrounding process serving. For over 25 years, Firefly Legal has partnered with countless attorneys in Ohio to ensure efficient process serving.

We’re passionate about our mission to promote civil service and technological innovations in leadership throughout the process serving industry. We offer real-time updates on the status of your legal document delivery, and can support your lawyers in court filing, document retrieval, effective skip tracing steps, and any additional services you may need.

Connect with us today and gain peace of mind as you build your case.

*Contact Firefly at (877) 963-3534 for specifics about your local courts

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Serve Your File Now

Raising the Bar

Firefly audits every file coming in and going out without slowing down the process. We believe our attention to detail is unique to the industry and brings a high level of accuracy to our clients. We demand perfection!

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you are in Ohio, a process server generally cannot leave papers at your door. They must first attempt to deliver the documents directly to the person being sued or to someone else at their home or business who is of suitable age and discretion.

Process servers are not allowed to trespass on private property to serve documents. They must avoid entering or crossing private land without permission, as doing so is both illegal and could result in penalties.

We service the entire state of Ohio including:

cincinnati ohio

Cincinnati, OH

cleveland ohio

Cleveland, OH

columbus ohio

Columbus, OH

What do our Satisfied Customers Say?

★★★★★ 5/5

Our firm handles a high volume caseload and Firefly has been instrumental in developing systems that are efficient, yet maintain a high degree of quality control. Firefly’s team is innovative and adaptable to help us meet the needs of our clients, and has utilized creative solutions to help navigate the ever-changing legal landscape.

Joel Knosher, Attorney Denzin Soltanzadeh LLC

★★★★★ 5/5

Our firm has had the pleasure of working with Firefly for several years now. Firefly’s customer service and response times are outstanding. Firefly’s web portal is extremely user-friendly, and the file information is always up to date. In addition to placing file updates on their web portal, Firefly also sends email updates, which is extremely convenient and allows us to easily save updates to our electronic files. Firefly also provides our firm with quarterly client reports that provide us with important details on our files, such as status updates and analytics, which are invaluable from a practice management standpoint. We truly enjoy working with Firefly and consider them a valued vendor partner!

Albertelli Law Partners Ohio – Tony Scarlato, Ohio Managing Partner

★★★★★ 5/5

It was a pleasure working with the Firefly team for this years audit. Firefly was very responsive, professional and thorough in both their initial questionnaire as well as all follow-ups. Firefly’s compliance and security controls are both on point. I look forward to our continued relationship and working with them on the compliance audit in 2021.

Stefanie Rudy, Compliance Manager – Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A.

★★★★★ 5/5

Overall Firefly has drastically helped with efficiency of the service process in our office. They have extremely fast turnaround times with getting things filed and out for service, a very attentive detail oriented staff which is very helpful and responsive to all messages, their servers have done great so far in locating defendants and getting them served quickly, and an added plus is their website which is very user friendly and straight forward to use. Overall I would give Firefly an A+ grade, keep up the good work.

Henschel & Beinhaker, P.A.

★★★★★ 5/5

“Thank you for working so hard for/and with us to ensure the filings are getting done timely. I know it can get a little crazy sometimes with these FHA deadlines and we appreciate you always working with us to ensure the deadlines are getting met.”

Anselmo Lindberg & Associates LLC

★★★★★ 5/5

I wanted to thank you for the expeditious manner in which you handled obtaining the court date and filing the documents at the Bridgeview courthouse. You saved us a lot of aggravation and our client a lot of money. We will definitely be using Firefly Legal in the future. Thanks again.

Julie McCormack, DAVIS|FRIEDMAN

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Enlighten your caseload.

Firefly takes pride in putting our clients first. We are dedicated to delivering results and becoming a valued partner to you and your company. See why Firefly has become one of the nation’s most trusted legal service providers today.

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Privacy Policy

Firefly’s intention is to respect and protect the privacy of users of its website. Firefly wants you to understand its practices with regard to collecting and using your information both online and offline and the steps it takes to safeguard your privacy. This statement applies to Personally Identifiable Information collected from Firefly customers. When this Privacy Policy uses the term “Personally Identifiable Information” it refers to information that lets Firefly know the specifics of who you are and can be used to identify, contact or locate you. Personally Identifiable Information might include your name, mailing address, telephone number, mobile phone number, email address, and other identification and contact information. With this information, Firefly can fill your service requests and better provide you with personalized service.

“Non Personally Identifiable Information” refers to information that does not identify a specific individual by itself or in combination with other information. Firefly may gather certain information about you such as age, date of birth, gender, as well as purchasing information based upon what services you purchase at its website. This information may be compiled and analyzed on both an individual and an aggregated basis. This information may include the Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) of the Website from which you just came, which URL you next go to, what browser you are using and your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address. A URL is the global address of documents and other resources on the Internet. An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) network, such as the Internet. Networks use the TCP/IP protocol to route information based on the IP address of the destination. In other words, an IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you are surfing the Internet, allowing Internet servers to locate and identify your computer. Computers require IP addresses in order for users to communicate on the Internet, browse and shop.

No information shoold be submitted to or posted on this website by anyone under age 13. Firefly does not provide any Personally Identifiable Information to any third party for any purpose whatsoever from any user of this website who is under age 13 and no such information will be used by Firefly for any purpose.

Firefly welcomes any and all questions and feedback. For privacy-related issues, please contact Firefly at:

Firefly Legal, Inc.
19150 South 88th Avenue
Mokena, Illinois 60448
Telephone No.: (877) 963-3534
Email: info@fireflylegal.com

  1. Information Firefly Collects
    1. Personally Identifiable Information
      Collection of Personally Identifiable Information may occur when you:
      • Inquire about Firefly services;
      • Create an account at Firefly’s website;
      • Participate in any marketing survey or other Firefly activity online or offline;
      • Correspond with Firefly; or
      • Otherwise volunteer information.
    2. Non-Personally Identifiable Information
      Firefly’s website may collect some non-personal information about you using special types of technologies, so it may not be readily apparent to you that it is being collected. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is not combined with Personally Identifiable Information.
  2. Use of Data Firefly Collects
    1. Personally Identifiable Information
      Firefly wants to provide you with the best service experience. In order to do this, Firefly may use your Personally Identifiable Information to allow it to:
      • Track and verify compliance with Firefly policies and applicable laws;
      • Provide the services you request;
      • Contact you about the status of a service request;
      • Customize our communications to you; and
      • Improve our customer service.

      Your email address will not be shared with any third parties. Instructions for unsubscribing from any newsletters or promotional emails are included in every email.

    2. Non-Personally Identifiable InformationFirefly uses the Non-Personally Identifiable Information that it collects from you and other visitors in a manner that does not personally identify any individual. Firefly uses Non-Personally Identifiable Information to make its website more interesting and usefol to you. Firefly also tracks the pages or documents accessed within its website. This information is collected for systems administration and for analyzing and improving the value of the material available on our website. This Non-Personally Identifiable Information is used to help its site design team.Cookies: Like many other commercial sites, Firefly’s website utilizes standard technologies called “cookies” to collect information about how its website is used. A cookie is a small data text file that a website stores on your computer’s hard drive (if your web browser permits) that can later be retrieved to identify you to Firefly. You can set your browser to not accept cookies, but that may interfere with your use of the website. Cookies are designed to help a website recognize a user’s browser as a previous visitor and thus save and remember any preferences that may have been set while the user was browsing the site. Cookies also allow Firefly to track user trends and patterns which can help Firefly improve areas of its website. A cookie cannot be read by a website other than the one that set the cookie. Cookies can securely store a customer’s password, personalize home pages, identify which parts of a site have been visited or keep track of selections made. A cookie cannot retrieve any other data from your hard drive, pass on a computer virus or capture your email address. No Personally Identifiable Information is recorded.
  3. Information Firefly Shares with Others
    1. Firefly’s Contractors
      Firefly may contract with other companies to provide certain services to Firefly. In some instances, these contractors may have access to Personally Identifiable Information, but they are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the information and to use it only for purposes of carrying out the business of Firefly. These companies are prohibited by contract from using this information for their own marketing purposes or from sharing this information with anyone other than Firefly.
    2. Third Parties
      Your email address is never shared with any third party (except as described above to our contractors who use it ONLY to carry out Firefly business).
    3. Disclosure Exceptions
      Notwithstanding the above policies, Firefly reserves the right to disclose your personal information to appropriate third parties if required to do so by law or if Firefly believes that such action is necessary:
      • To comply with legal process such as a search warrant, subpoena or court order;
      • To protect Firefly’s rights and property;
      • To investigate reports of fraud or of users sending material using a false e-mail address or users sending harassing, threatening, or abusive messages;
      • To protect against misuse or unauthorized use of the website; or
      • During emergencies, such as when Firefly believes someone’s physical safety is at risk.

Your Choices

Firefly offers choices about the types of information you receive from Firefly. If you prefer not to receive communications from Firefly or if you prefer to receive them less frequently, please contact Firefly at the address shown above.

You may ask to review, revise, correct or update any of your personal information by contacting Firefly at the address above. You may also request changes in your email preferences, such as letting Firefly know that you do not wish to receive further email communications from Firefly or if you wish to have your personal information removed from its email mailing list. You may contact Firefly with regard to these matters at the address shown above.

Please be sure to provide your exact name and address so that Firefly can be sure to identify you correctly. Because mailings are planned in advance, it may take several weeks for your request to become effective. If, due to human error, you continue to receive unwanted communications, please contact Firefly again and it will make every effort to correct the situation.

Email Use

When you provide Firefly with your email address, it may send you emails necessary to respond to a request. Your email address will be used only to respond to your request and will not be shared with any third parties. Instructions for unsubscribing from receiving future emails (opting-out) are included in every email containing promotional material.

Security

It is Firefly’s intent to protect against the loss, misuse or alteration of information that it has collected from you. Firefly employs reasonable security measures to protect the security of the information you submit. When you request services or create an account on its website, your access to that account is password protected so that only you can access it. Firefly maintains the data you provide in a secure database.

Policy Changes

If Firefly makes changes to any terms or conditions of its Privacy Policy, the changes will be posted on this portion of the website so that you will always know what information is collected, how it might be used, to whom it may be disclosed and what choices you have. Please be sure to check this page each time you visit the website. Your continued use of this website following any posted changes to these terms will mean that you have accepted those changes.

Questions or Comments?

For questions, comments or assistance, you are invited to contact Firefly at its address at the beginning of this Policy or above, or by calling us toll free at (877) 963-3534.