Document We Serve
A summons and complaint are the documents that officially open a lawsuit, notifying a defendant that legal action has been filed against them and giving them a deadline to respond. Getting these served correctly and on time is often the single most important step in a case, since improper service can delay or even derail a matter before it starts.
A summons and complaint together form the opening filing in most civil lawsuits. The summons formally notifies the recipient that a case has been filed, states the court's authority, and sets a deadline to respond. The complaint lays out the plaintiff's claims and the relief being sought. Together, they trigger the defendant's obligation to answer or risk a default judgment.
Because so much depends on getting service right — from the court's jurisdiction over the defendant to the running of response deadlines — we treat each summons and complaint delivery as a priority matter. Our servers document every attempt, verify the recipient's identity where required, and return a sworn affidavit that stands up if service is ever challenged.
Whatever the document, our team has the experience to execute your specific request and route it through the right channel the first time.
Decades of working relationships with Central Authorities and local agents mean your documents move through the correct process, wherever they're headed.
Since 1982, we've built a track record litigators rely on — documented, court-ready service performed to FRCP 4(f) standards.
Need help with Summons & Complaints?
Tell us about your case and deadline, and we'll confirm the right approach.
Request ServiceMost jurisdictions expect a reasonable number of good-faith attempts at different times and days before alternative service methods are considered; we document every attempt with a timestamp and outcome.
In most jurisdictions, service is still valid once the process server identifies the recipient and leaves the documents in their presence, even if they refuse to physically take them; we note the refusal in the affidavit.
Getting Started
Whether you need a single document served or want to set up a standing account for regular work, here's exactly how it works.
If you need Welcome for a single case or one-time assignment anywhere in the United States, follow these steps:
If you would like to become a client and use us on a regular basis, these are the steps:
Reminder: If you'd like us to file your Proof of Service formally (for a small fee), please ask during Step 1.
Client Feedback
"Serving an elusive corporate executive across three overseas offices seemed impossible under our court deadline. The Global Process Server coordinated in-country agents and produced an airtight affidavit of service that defeated opposing counsel's motion to quash."
Cross-Border Commercial Litigation Partner
"Their mastery of Hague Article 5 and 10 requirements saved our firm months of delays. Every page was properly translated, the USM-94 was flawlessly routed through the foreign Central Authority, and we received the Article 6 certificate right on schedule."
International Arbitration Practice Group
"We needed formal Letters Rogatory handled for a non-Hague forum in Sub-Saharan Africa. The team managed state department transmittal, consular legalization, and local commissioner attestation with total professionalism. Unmatched expertise."
Global Asset Recovery & Judgment Enforcement
