Service-of-process rules by state

Compare all 51 jurisdictions, or pick one for its full five-card answer. 11 require a license or certification; 47 have adopted the UIDDA.

ProcessServerState provides procedural-information-only summaries of state process-server rules. This is not legal advice. Service of process is a critical step in litigation — if you fail to serve correctly, your case can be dismissed. For complex or contested matters, consult a licensed attorney or a court self-help center. Not affiliated with any court or sheriff's office.

Service-of-process rules by state — sortable. 51 jurisdictions shown.

Alabama	No	30	Yes	Yes
Alaska	Yes	120	No	Yes
Arizona	Yes	90	Yes	Yes
Arkansas	No	120	Yes	Yes
California	Yes	60	Yes	Yes
Colorado	No	63	Yes	Yes
Connecticut	No	Varies	No	Yes
Delaware	No	120	Yes	Yes
District of Columbia	No	60	No	Yes
Florida	Yes	120	Yes	Yes
Georgia	Yes	5	Yes	Yes
Hawaii	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Idaho	No	182	Yes	Yes
Illinois	Yes	Varies	Yes	Yes
Indiana	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Iowa	No	90	Yes	Yes
Kansas	No	90	Yes	Yes
Kentucky	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Louisiana	No	90	Yes	Yes
Maine	No	90	Yes	Yes
Maryland	No	60	Yes	Yes
Massachusetts	No	90	Yes	No
Michigan	No	91	Yes	Yes
Minnesota	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Mississippi	No	120	Yes	Yes
Missouri	No	30	Yes	No
Montana	Yes	1095	Yes	Yes
Nebraska	No	180	Yes	Yes
Nevada	Yes	120	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	No	Varies	Yes	No
New Jersey	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
New Mexico	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
New York	Yes	120	Yes	Yes
North Carolina	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
North Dakota	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Ohio	No	180	Yes	Yes
Oklahoma	Yes	180	Yes	Yes
Oregon	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Pennsylvania	No	30	Yes	Yes
Rhode Island	No	120	Yes	Yes
South Carolina	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
South Dakota	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Tennessee	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
Texas	Yes	Varies	Yes	Yes
Utah	No	120	Yes	Yes
Vermont	No	60	Yes	Yes
Virginia	No	365	Yes	Yes
Washington	No	Varies	Yes	Yes
West Virginia	No	120	Yes	Yes
Wisconsin	No	90	Yes	Yes
Wyoming	No	90	Yes	No

Sort any column by clicking its header. Day-counts marked “Varies” use a diligence, return-day, or tolling mechanism rather than a fixed deadline — see the state’s deadline card for the specifics.