Service of process in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a summons may be served by the sheriff or by any person who is at least 18 and is not a party. Service is typically made personally or by leaving a copy at the defendant's usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion; service by publication is available only by court order in limited circumstances, and an action is generally commenced by service rather than by filing.
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 Minnesota?
No statewide license or registration; any non-party adult 18+ may serve.
Who may serve process in Minnesota?
- County sheriff
- Any non-party adult (18+)
- Publication (by court order)
Service deadline (Minnesota)
Rule 4 sets no fixed day-count to complete service; an action is generally commenced by service of the summons rather than by filing. Service by publication requires three weeks' published notice under court order.
UIDDA: Minnesota has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act for interstate service.
Sheriff / Marshal civil-process route
Civil-process fees are set by each county and listed on the local sheriff's civil-process page. Not all counties publish a fee schedule — confirm with the county where service will be made.
Statute / Rule citation
Minn. R. Civ. P. 4
UIDDA: Minn. R. Civ. P. 45.06 (adopted eff. 2015)
Verification notes for Minnesota: the following could not be fully primary-source-confirmed in our last pass and should be verified against the cited source before you rely on them:
- daysToServe (Minnesota commences by service; no fixed post-filing day-count)
Interstate service from Minnesota
Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Other states with no license requirement
Check a different state
Verified against Minnesota primary sources on June 16, 2026. Read how we verify on our methodology page, or browse every citation in the source manifest.
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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.