If you have ever been served a subpoena or a summons, or watched an episode of Law & Order, you probably know what process servers are: individuals who deliver the appropriate legal documents to those involved in court cases. Process servers “serve” the documents to the person or business and then provide a notarized affidavit to prove the papers were handed over.
How to Be a Process Server
If you are interested in becoming a process server, there are a few things you should remember:
- Know the Business—Process servers are a crucial element of a well-oiled judicial system, so making sure you know what exactly such a position entails and why it is important, should be the first thing you do before even considering it.
- Check Your Skills—The best kinds of people for becoming process servers are team players that are organized, resourceful, tenacious, sociable and good at problem solving.
- State Requirements—The road to becoming a process server is different from state to state, so research the requirements you will need to meet beforehand, whether those be a background check or a process server license.
- Get Training—Go online and find a site that offers certification programs for the National Association of Investigative Specialists and complete it.
- Be Experienced—Make as many business connections as possible by volunteering at a law firm, getting an internship somewhere in the legal community, or volunteering at your local school of law.
Keep in Mind
Once you have done all of the research and you do decide that process serving is the profession for you, then go out and pursue jobs at private investigation and law firms. Not only does a job like this give you the opportunity to meet all sorts of people, but it also lets you travel a great deal, sometimes even out of the country. Consider it—is being a process server the job for you?
