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Process service · South · United States

Arkansas Process Server

Service of process in all 75 Arkansas counties, by the sheriff, court-appointed process servers, or restricted-delivery certified mail.

Request service in Arkansas 855-505-9155
TIME TO SERVE
120 days
PRIVATE SERVERS
Court-appointed
COUNTIES
75

Who may serve

Sheriff or appointed server

Court appointment for private servers

Abode service

Resident aged 14+

At the defendant's dwelling

Certified mail

Restricted delivery

By the plaintiff or attorney

Time to serve

120 days

From filing the complaint

Overview

Process Server in Arkansas: How Service of Process Works

In Arkansas, a summons is served by the sheriff or by a private person 18 or older who isn't a party and has been appointed by the court, often through a standing appointment. The plaintiff or their attorney can also serve by certified mail with delivery restricted to the addressee. Papers can be left at the defendant's dwelling with a person 14 or older who lives there. Service must be made within 120 days of filing the complaint, unless the court extends the time.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Arkansas

Under Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 4, service is made by the sheriff of the county where the defendant is found, or by a person at least 18 who isn't a party and has been appointed by the court to serve process. Many courts issue standing appointments for private servers.

The plaintiff or their attorney may also serve by certified mail with a return receipt and delivery restricted to the addressee.

Typical documents include summonses and complaints, unlawful detainer (eviction) papers, small claims papers, subpoenas and divorce papers.

Proof you receive

An appointed server files an affidavit of service; the sheriff files a return. For mail service, the signed return receipt is filed as proof.

Our services

Our Arkansas Process Serving Services

01

Court-appointed process service

Service in all 75 counties by appointed servers, with affidavits that meet Rule 4.

02

Certified mail support

Restricted-delivery certified mail when it's the faster route, with personal service as backup.

03

Little Rock, Fayetteville and statewide

Fast service in Pulaski, Benton, Washington and every Arkansas county.

The rules

Arkansas Service of Process Rules

The Arkansas rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(e)Who may serve: the sheriff or a court-appointed person
Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(f)Personal and abode service
Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(g)Certified mail and warning orders
Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(i)Serve within 120 days of filing
Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(a)30 days to answer

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Arkansas

From the first choice to the last resort, with the rule that allows each one.

1

Personal service

First choice

Delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant personally.

Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(1)
2

Abode service

Standard alternative

Leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling or usual place of abode with a person 14 or older who lives there.

Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(1)
3

Certified mail, restricted delivery

Alternative

Mailing with return receipt requested and delivery restricted to the addressee or their authorized agent.

Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(g)
4

Warning order

If the defendant can't be found

After diligent inquiry, service by a warning order published as the rule requires.

Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(g)

Courts

Arkansas Courts for Civil Cases

Contact details for the courts that handle most civil litigation in the state.

Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas (Little Rock Division)

U.S. Post Office & Courthouse, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 604-5140M-F: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas (Fort Smith Division)

Judge Isaac C. Parker Federal Building, South 6th Street and Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901

(479) 783-6833M-F: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court

Justice Building, 625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 682-6849M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Arkansas Circuit Courts (Domestic Relations Division) — By County

Family law matters are handled at the county Circuit Court level; see each county's courthouse for exact address

Varies by countyM-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (typical)

Court website

Statewide reach

Process Server Coverage in Every Arkansas County

Process service in every Arkansas county, 75 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Central Arkansas

10 counties
01Pulaski County
02Saline County
03Faulkner County
04Lonoke County
05Perry County
06Grant County
07White County
08Van Buren County
09Conway County
10Yell County

Every assignment is completed under this state's rules of civil procedure and returned with a sworn proof of service for your court.

Good to know

Serving Court Papers in Arkansas: What to Know

Appointment matters

Private process servers in Arkansas need a court appointment, often a standing one; check it before relying on their service.

Abode service from 14

Papers can be left with a resident of the home who is 14 or older.

Restricted delivery

Certified mail counts only if delivery is restricted to the addressee or their agent.

Strict compliance

Arkansas courts apply the service rules strictly, so paperwork errors can undo a judgment.

FAQs

Process Server Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find your answer? Call 855-505-9155.

Who can serve papers in Arkansas?

The sheriff, or a person 18 or older who isn't a party and has been appointed by the court. The plaintiff or their attorney can also serve by restricted-delivery certified mail.

Can someone else at my house accept papers for me in Arkansas?

Yes. Papers can be left at your dwelling or usual place of abode with a person 14 or older who lives there.

How long do I have to serve a lawsuit in Arkansas?

120 days after filing the complaint, unless the court extends the time.

I was served in Arkansas. How long do I have to answer?

Generally 30 days after service. Check the papers for the exact date and talk to a Arkansas lawyer quickly.

How much does a process server cost in Arkansas?

There's no single Arkansas price: a routine service in Little Rock costs less than a rush job or a hard-to-find defendant in South Arkansas. We confirm the exact price before any work begins.

Need a Process Server in Arkansas?

Send us the documents and the address. We'll confirm cost and timing before we start.

Request service 855-505-9155

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