How to Become a Process Server in Florida
April 18, 2022 - By Dr. Thomas E. Santarlas
The State of Florida is comprised of sixty-seven (67) counties and each county has its' own rules regarding becoming a process server. There are three (3) ways to become a process serever in the State of Florida:<br /><br /> <ol> <li>Certified;</li> <li>Sheriff Appointed;</li> <li>Motion & Order.</li> </ol> <br />Of the sixty-seven (67) counties in the State of Florida, forty (40) require a prospective process servesr to attend a process server certification course and pass an exam. These courses are normally sanctioned by the court administrator's office. Upon completion of the course and a passing grade on the exam, the candidate must succesfully undergo a background investigation, to include a criminal history search, and provide proof of liability insurance. The Chief Judge of the circuit will review the candidate's packet and decide to certify him/her as a process serever in that jurisdiction.<br /><br />Nine (9) Florida counties are considered to be sheriff appointed for process serevers. Candidates for the sheriff appointed designation must also go take a course, pass an exam, pass a background check and provide proof of liability insaurance. The only difference between the certified designation and sheriff appointed is that the sheriff of that county oversees and appoints the process servers as opposed to the cheif judge of the circuit.<br /><br />The last process server designation id motion & order. Florida has fourteen (14) counties that require a motion to be sent to a judge and corresponding order signed allowing an individual to effectuate the serevice of process in that county (appointed by the judge to serve a specific document). This process must happen each and every time litigation papers are served in that county.<br /><br />Youe license is only valid in the specific jurisdiction that you are intending to serve litigation documents. It is NOT a state-wide license.