Service of Process in North Carolina

Service that satisfies the rule, not just the request

Service of process is the act upon which a court's jurisdiction over a party rests. In North Carolina, the manner of service is governed by Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, which prescribes who may serve, upon whom service must be made, and by what method — personal delivery, delivery to a person of suitable age and discretion at the defendant's dwelling, service upon a registered agent or officer, or the alternative methods the rule permits when a defendant evades service.

An improperly served defendant is, in the eyes of the court, not served at all. Judicial Process executes every assignment with the rule in hand: correct party, correct capacity, correct method, and a return of service prepared so that the record proves it.

Instruments we serve

Summonses and complaints, subpoenas (testimony and records), citations, show-cause orders, notices of hearing, writs, domestic relations filings, landlord–tenant notices, and post-judgment enforcement documents. If a court issued it, we serve it.

Corporate and entity defendants

Service upon corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities is made through the registered agent of record. Agent information for North Carolina entities is publicly available through the N.C. Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Where an agent cannot be located or has resigned, we advise on the alternative methods the statutes provide.

Difficult and evasive parties

When a party cannot be located, skip trace investigation, witness location, and related investigative services are available through our affiliated multi-state licensed investigative firm within The Poindexter Group. A defendant who cannot be found today can usually be found — and served — tomorrow.