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Process service · Midwest · United States

Missouri Process Server

Service of process in all 114 Missouri counties and St. Louis City, by the sheriff or by court-appointed special process servers under Rule 54.

Request service in Missouri 855-505-9155
SPECIAL PROCESS SERVERS
Appointed
FAMILY MEMBER SERVICE
Age 15+
COUNTIES & ST. LOUIS CITY
115

Who may serve

Sheriff or appointed server

Special appointment required (§ 506.140)

Family member service

Over age 15

At the dwelling or usual abode

Return of service

Must show compliance

No presumptions for special servers

Time to answer

30 days

After service

Overview

Process Server in Missouri: How Service of Process Works

In Missouri, service is made by the sheriff or by a person over 18 who isn't a party, but anyone other than the sheriff must be specially appointed by the court or circuit clerk under RSMo § 506.140. Missouri appellate courts have held service invalid where a private server wasn't properly appointed, and a special process server's return must show on its face that every requirement was met. Papers can be left at the defendant's home with a family member over 15.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Missouri

Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 54.13(a), service within the state is made by the sheriff or a person over 18 who is not a party. Rule 54.01 and RSMo § 506.140 require anyone other than the sheriff to be specially appointed by the court or circuit clerk, following local court rules.

Missouri has no statewide license, but local practice varies: for example, St. Louis requires process servers to be certified by the sheriff, and some counties keep lists of approved servers.

Typical documents include summonses and petitions, associate circuit court papers, rent and possession (eviction) papers, subpoenas and dissolution papers.

Proof you receive

A special process server files a sworn return showing on its face the date, place and manner of service and, for abode service, that the recipient was a family member over 15.

Our services

Our Missouri Process Serving Services

01

Appointed special process service

Service by servers specially appointed for your case, with returns that show every Rule 54 requirement on their face.

02

St. Louis and Kansas City

Service in St. Louis City and County and the Kansas City area, meeting local certification and appointment rules.

03

Statewide coverage

Service in all 114 counties, from Springfield to the Bootheel.

The rules

Missouri Service of Process Rules

The Missouri rules and statutes that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
Mo. R. 54.01Process delivered to the sheriff or a specially appointed person
RSMo § 506.140Special appointment of process servers
Mo. R. 54.13Personal and abode service within Missouri
Mo. R. 54.16Acknowledgment of service by mail
Mo. R. 55.2530 days to answer

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Missouri

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 petition to the defendant personally.

Mo. R. 54.13(b)(1)
2

Abode service

Standard alternative

Leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling or usual place of abode with a member of their family over 15.

Mo. R. 54.13(b)(1)
3

Service on an agent

If an agent is authorized

Delivering copies to an agent authorized by appointment or required by law.

Mo. R. 54.13(b)(1)
4

Acknowledgment by mail

If the defendant cooperates

Mailing the papers with an acknowledgment form; service counts when the defendant signs and returns it.

Mo. R. 54.16

Courts

Missouri 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 Missouri (St. Louis)

Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse, 111 South 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

(314) 244-7900M-F: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri (Kansas City)

Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse, 400 East 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106

(816) 512-5000M-F: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Supreme Court of Missouri

207 West High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

(573) 751-4144M-F: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Missouri Circuit Courts (Family Division) — By County

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

Varies by countyM-F: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (typical)

Court website

Statewide reach

Process Server Coverage in Every Missouri County

Process service in every Missouri county, 115 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Kansas City Metro (Western MO)

22 counties
01Jackson County
02Clay County
03Platte County
04Cass County
05Ray County
06Lafayette County
07Johnson County
08Bates County
09Henry County
10Saline County
11Pettis County
12Benton County
13Hickory County
14St. Clair County
15Vernon County
16Cedar County
17Dade County
18Barton County
19Jasper County
20Newton County
21McDonald County
22Carroll 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 Missouri: What to Know

Get the appointment first

Missouri appeals courts have voided service by private servers who weren't specially appointed, so the appointment order must come first.

The return must be complete

A special process server's return gets no presumptions in its favor; it must show every requirement of Rule 54 on its face.

Family means household

Missouri courts read 'family' broadly, closer to 'household member', but the person must be over 15.

Local rules differ

St. Louis, Jackson County and others have their own requirements for approving process servers.

FAQs

Process Server Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who can serve papers in Missouri?

The sheriff, or a person over 18 who isn't a party and has been specially appointed by the court or circuit clerk, under Rule 54.01 and RSMo § 506.140. Some areas, such as St. Louis, have extra certification requirements.

Do I need a special process server appointment in Missouri?

Yes, if anyone other than the sheriff will serve. Missouri appellate courts have held service invalid where the private server wasn't specially appointed.

Can a family member accept papers for me in Missouri?

Yes. Papers can be left at your dwelling or usual place of abode with a member of your family over 15.

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

Generally 30 days after service of the summons and petition. Associate circuit cases may set an appearance date instead. Get advice from a lawyer licensed in Missouri quickly.

How much does a process server cost in Missouri?

In Missouri, cost turns on location, urgency, attempts and any skip tracing; serving in Jefferson City usually costs less than reaching Southwest & North Missouri. We quote a fixed price upfront.

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 Missouri?

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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