Service of process in Nevada
In Nevada, the summons and complaint may be served by the sheriff (or deputy) of the county where the defendant is found, by a state-licensed process server, or by any person at least 18 who is not a party. Nevada licenses commercial process servers through the Private Investigators Licensing Board under NRS Chapter 648, though a non-party adult may make service in a case without being 'in the business.' Service is generally due within 120 days of filing, and publication requires a court order.
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 Nevada?
Authority: Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB), under NRS Chapter 648
Nevada licenses process servers under NRS Chapter 648 (NRS 648.060 requires a license to engage in the business of process server). NRS 648.063 exempts a natural person who serves not more than a limited number of times — i.e. the license requirement targets commercial servers, not an ordinary non-party adult serving in a single case.
Who may serve process in Nevada?
- County sheriff
- Licensed / registered process server
- Any non-party adult (18+)
- Publication (by court order)
Service deadline (Nevada)
NRCP 4(e)(1): the summons and complaint must be served within 120 days after filing; the court must dismiss without prejudice or extend on a showing of good cause if not timely made.
UIDDA: Nevada 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
Nev. R. Civ. P. 4 (Process); Rules 4.2–4.4 (methods)
UIDDA: NRS 53.100 to 53.200, inclusive (UIDDA; eff. Oct. 1, 2011)
Interstate service from Nevada
Nevada 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 Nevada
Other states with licensing requirements
Check a different state
Verified against Nevada 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.