Legal-document basics
What is service of process?
Service of process is the formal delivery of certain legal documents so the person or entity receiving them has notice of a case or proceeding. The documents and method of delivery matter more than the label alone.
After receiving documents
Preserve the facts before deciding what the papers require.
This is how lawsuits and official legal notices are delivered to your business.
Why it matters
- You can lose a case by not responding
- You may never know you were served if it is handled wrong
Related questions
More help
More detailed answers
- What does a registered agent actually do?
- Can you be your own registered agent?
- How to change your registered agent
- How much does a registered agent cost?
Need help handling this?
If you’re dealing with notices, compliance issues, or missed filings, you can get direct help instead of guessing what to do next.
Need help handling this right now?
You do not have to figure this out on your own.
Unsure what was delivered?
Get help organizing the document and identifying the right resource.
Red Tape Foundation can help identify the basic document type and point you toward an appropriate court, agency, self-help center, or professional resource. This is not legal advice or legal representation.
Important notice: Red Tape Foundation is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal representation, deadline calculations, court filings, emergency services, or guarantees about legal outcomes. This page provides general educational information.