When a process server shows up at your door, it’s best practice to confirm their identity to ensure that they are legit. This is particularly important in Florida, where the laws governing process service are strict to protect the integrity of the legal process. Since there are so many scams out there these days, verifying a process server’s credentials is a step you cannot afford to overlook. In this post, we’ll discuss ways to ensure that the process server at your door is legitimate and authorized.
Ask for Their Process Service Agency ID
The first step in verifying the identity of a process server is to request their Process Service Agency ID. The process server should be wearing or at least carrying this ID at all times while working. This identification should provide their name, the name of their agency, a photograph, and an ID number. It’s a fundamental check that ensures the person standing at your door is the same person who is registered with a recognized agency.
Ask for Proof of Their Process Server Certification or Appointment
In Florida, process servers are generally certified by the judicial circuit courts or appointed in special cases by a court or sheriff. Ask to see proof of their certification or appointment, which should be documentation issued by the court. This documentation typically outlines the areas or cases they are authorized to serve within and any limitations to their appointment.
Verify Their Certification Status
For an additional layer of verification, you can check the certification status of a process server directly with the Florida judicial circuit that issued their certification. This ensures that their certification is active and has not been revoked or expired. Here in Port St. Lucie, process servers are certified by Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit. Certification by the 19th judicial circuit allows the process server to work in St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin, and Indian River counties. Serving process outside of those counties would require certification or appointment by the authority in the other areas.
Contact Their Agency
If you still have doubts, take a moment to contact their agency directly. A reputable process service agency will confirm the identity of their servers and provide reassurance about their legitimacy and standing. This is also a good opportunity to inquire about the agency’s history, services, and their standing in the community.
Trust Accurate Serve for Valid, Legitimate Process Service
If you’re in need of trustworthy and reliable process service on Florida’s Treasure Coast, don’t hesitate to call Accurate Serve at 772-207-1544 or send us a work request online. We specialize in process service, document retrieval, skip tracing, and diligent search services, with a commitment to providing you with professional, efficient, and discreet service.
