Service of process in Connecticut
In Connecticut, civil process is served by state marshals — not sheriffs, because Connecticut abolished its county sheriff system effective December 1, 2000. A constable or other officer authorized by statute may also serve, and an 'indifferent person' may serve only where a specific statute permits. Connecticut runs on a return-day system: process to the Superior Court must be served at least 12 days before the return day and filed with the clerk at least 6 days before it.
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.
Is a license required in Connecticut?
Authority: State Marshal Commission
Connecticut does not license private 'process servers.' Civil process is served by state marshals — public officers regulated by the State Marshal Commission. Sheriffs do NOT serve civil process (county sheriff system abolished eff. Dec. 1, 2000). An 'indifferent person' may serve only where a specific statute authorizes it (not a general any-adult rule).
Who may serve process in Connecticut?
- Marshal
- Any non-party adult (18+)
Service deadline (Connecticut)
Return-day system, not a fixed days-to-serve clock. Process to the Superior Court must be served at least 12 days before the return day (CGS § 52-46) and filed with the clerk at least 6 days before it (§ 52-46a); the return day must be no later than two months after the date of the process (§ 52-48).
UIDDA: Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act for interstate service.
Sheriff / Marshal civil-process route
This jurisdiction uses marshals rather than a county sheriff for court process. Confirm the route with the relevant court clerk.
Statute / Rule citation
CGS § 52-50 (persons to whom process directed); §§ 52-46, 52-46a, 52-48 — Chapter 896
UIDDA: CGS §§ 52-655 to 52-660 (CT Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act; P.A. 22-26, eff. July 1, 2023)
Interstate service from Connecticut
Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), which provides a streamlined process for issuing an out-of-state subpoena based on one issued in the trial state. Service of an initial summons across state lines follows the receiving state's rules.
Sources for Connecticut
Other states with no license requirement
Check a different state
Verified against Connecticut primary sources on June 16, 2026. Read how we verify on our methodology page, or browse every citation in the source manifest.
Editorial review status: Reviewer attribution pending — we are recruiting a credentialed reviewer (ex-process-server with a NAPPS credential, or a NALA/NFPA-certified civil-procedure paralegal) before this site applies for advertising. We will not display a fabricated reviewer.
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.