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Process service · Midwest · United States

Minnesota Process Server

Service of process in all 87 Minnesota counties, where serving the summons is what starts the lawsuit.

Request service in Minnesota 855-505-9155
LAWSUIT BEGINS
On service
TO FILE AFTER SERVICE
1 year
COUNTIES
87

Lawsuit begins

When served

Not when filed (Rule 3.01)

Filing deadline

1 year after service

Or dismissal with prejudice (Rule 5.04)

Abode service

Suitable age and discretion

A resident of the home

Time to answer

21 days

After service

Overview

Process Server in Minnesota: How Service of Process Works

Minnesota does something most states don't: a civil lawsuit begins when the summons is served on the defendant, not when it's filed with the court. This is often called 'pocket service'. The plaintiff then has one year after commencement to file the case with the court, or it's dismissed with prejudice. Any adult who isn't a party can serve, and papers can be left at the defendant's usual abode with a person of suitable age and discretion who lives there.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Minnesota

Under the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure, a summons may be served by any person who is at least 18 and not a party, or by the sheriff. Minnesota has no process server license.

Because an action begins when the summons is served (Rule 3.01), service often happens before anything is filed, and the served summons may not yet have a court file number.

Typical documents include summonses and complaints (often served before filing), family court papers, eviction papers, subpoenas and harassment restraining orders.

Proof you receive

The server signs an affidavit of service stating how, when and where the summons and complaint were served.

Our services

Our Minnesota Process Serving Services

01

Commencement-ready service

Fast service in all 87 counties, so your action is commenced on time, with an affidavit ready for filing.

02

Sheriff delivery coordination

Where useful, we coordinate delivery to the sheriff and actual service within the 60-day window under Rule 3.01(c).

03

Minneapolis, Saint Paul and statewide

Service in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka and every Minnesota county.

The rules

Minnesota Service of Process Rules

The Minnesota rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
Minn. R. Civ. P. 3.01Action begins on service, waiver, or delivery to the sheriff
Minn. R. Civ. P. 3.02Complaint must be served with the summons
Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.03Personal and abode service
Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.05Waiver of service
Minn. R. Civ. P. 5.04File within one year after commencement
Minn. R. Civ. P. 12.0121 days to answer

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Minnesota

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.

Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.03(a)
2

Abode service

Standard alternative

Leaving copies at the defendant's usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion who lives there.

Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.03(a)
3

Delivery to the sheriff

To start the action

Delivering the summons to the sheriff of the county where the defendant lives starts the action, if the summons is actually served within 60 days.

Minn. R. Civ. P. 3.01(c)
4

Waiver of service

If the defendant cooperates

Mailing a request to waive service; the action starts on the date the waiver is signed.

Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.05

Courts

Minnesota Courts for Civil Cases

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

Federal Court

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (Minneapolis)

300 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612) 664-5000M-F: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Minnesota Supreme Court

Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 296-2581M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Minnesota District Courts (Family Division) — By County

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

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

Court website

Statewide reach

Process Server Coverage in Every Minnesota County

Process service in every Minnesota county, 87 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Twin Cities Metro

11 counties
01Hennepin County
02Ramsey County
03Dakota County
04Anoka County
05Washington County
06Carver County
07Scott County
08Wright County
09Sherburne County
10Chisago County
11Isanti 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 Minnesota: What to Know

Service starts the case

In Minnesota, serving the summons commences the action, which matters for statutes of limitations; delivering it to the sheriff can also start the action if service follows within 60 days.

Don't forget to file

Under Rule 5.04, a case must be filed within one year after commencement, or it's dismissed with prejudice.

No court number yet

A Minnesota summons is often served before the case is filed, so it may not show a court file number. That's normal.

Complaint goes with summons

Rule 3.02 requires the complaint to be served together with the summons, except for service by publication.

FAQs

Process Server Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions

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

When does a lawsuit start in Minnesota?

When the summons is served on the defendant, under Rule 3.01, not when it's filed. It can also start when the defendant signs a waiver of service, or when the summons is delivered to the sheriff, if it's served within 60 days.

Why does my summons not have a case number?

Because Minnesota lawsuits often start by service before anything is filed. The plaintiff has one year after commencement to file the case with the court, so the court file number may come later.

Who can serve papers in Minnesota?

Any person who is at least 18 and not a party, or the sheriff. Minnesota doesn't license process servers.

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

Generally 21 days after service, even if the case hasn't been filed yet. Don't wait: deadlines in Minnesota courts run from the date of service, so get legal advice early.

How much does a process server cost in Minnesota?

There's no single Minnesota price: a routine service in Saint Paul costs less than a rush job or a hard-to-find defendant in Northern Minnesota. We confirm the exact price before any work begins.

Sources and further reading

This page is general information, not legal advice. Court rules change, so we confirm current requirements for every assignment.

Need a Process Server in Minnesota?

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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