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Process service · Northeast · United States

New Hampshire Process Server

Service of process across all 10 New Hampshire counties through the county sheriff's office and sheriff-appointed special deputies.

Request service in New Hampshire 855-505-9155
WHO SERVES
Sheriff
EQUAL METHODS
In hand or abode
COUNTIES
10

Who serves

Sheriff or deputy

Or a sheriff-appointed special deputy

Abode service

Attested copy at the abode

Equal to in-hand service

Return

On the writ

Time, place and manner (RSA 510:2-a)

Out-of-state defendants

Secretary of State

In certain cases (RSA 510:4)

Overview

Process Server in New Hampshire: How Service of Process Works

New Hampshire routes civil service through the sheriff. Under RSA 509:3 a civil writ is directed to the sheriff of any county or a deputy, and a sheriff may appoint a special deputy to serve and return a particular process under RSA 104:4. Service is made by giving the defendant an attested copy or leaving it at their abode, and the two methods are equally valid. The person serving records the time, place and manner of service on the writ.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, civil process is served by the county sheriff or a deputy, or by a special deputy the sheriff appoints for that process under RSA 104:4. New Hampshire doesn't license private process servers, and its statutes don't provide for independent private service of initial civil process.

Under RSA 510:2-a, the officer records the time, place and manner of service on the writ or process served.

Typical documents include writs of summons, complaints, landlord-tenant papers, subpoenas and family division papers.

Proof you receive

The sheriff's office records the time, place and manner of service on the writ and returns it for filing.

Our services

Our New Hampshire Process Serving Services

01

Sheriff service coordination

Preparing and tracking service through the right New Hampshire sheriff's office.

02

Out-of-state defendants

Service on nonresidents through the Secretary of State where allowed, or locally where they live.

03

Manchester, Nashua and statewide

Coordination in Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and all New Hampshire counties.

The rules

New Hampshire Service of Process Rules

The New Hampshire rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
RSA 509:3Writs directed to the sheriff or a deputy
RSA 104:4Sheriff may appoint a special deputy
RSA 510:2Manner: in hand or at the abode
RSA 510:2-aReturn recorded on the writ
RSA 510:4Service on nonresidents via the Secretary of State

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in New Hampshire

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

1

In-hand service

Standard method

Giving the defendant an attested copy of the writ.

RSA 510:2
2

Abode service

Standard method

Leaving an attested copy at the defendant's abode; equally valid as in-hand service.

RSA 510:2
3

Service via the Secretary of State

Certain nonresidents

Delivering the papers and fee to the Secretary of State, with notice to the defendant, where the statute applies.

RSA 510:4

Courts

New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire (Concord)

Warren B. Rudman U.S. Courthouse, 55 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301

(603) 225-1423M-F: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

New Hampshire Supreme Court

1 Charles Doe Drive, Concord, NH 03301

(603) 271-2646M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

New Hampshire Circuit Courts (Family Division) — By County

Family law matters are handled at the Circuit Court Family Division 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 New Hampshire County

Process service in every New Hampshire county, 10 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Southeast New Hampshire

2 counties
01Rockingham County
02Strafford 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 New Hampshire: What to Know

Sheriff-centered system

New Hampshire service of initial process runs through the county sheriff, so we coordinate with the right sheriff's office.

Abode service is equal

Leaving an attested copy at the abode is as valid as handing it over in person.

Special deputies

A sheriff can appoint a special deputy for a particular process when needed.

Watch the return day

Writs specify a return day, so service has to be completed in time.

FAQs

Process Server New Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who serves papers in New Hampshire?

The county sheriff or a deputy, or a special deputy the sheriff appoints for that process. New Hampshire doesn't license private process servers for initial civil process.

Can papers be left at my house in New Hampshire?

Yes. An attested copy can be left at your abode, which is as valid as being handed the papers personally.

How do I serve someone outside New Hampshire in a New Hampshire case?

In certain cases, through the Secretary of State under RSA 510:4, with notice to the defendant; otherwise, service follows the law where the defendant is.

How much does a process server cost in New Hampshire?

Prices in New Hampshire depend on where the person is, from Concord to North Country, how fast you need it, how many attempts it takes and whether we need to find a new address first. Sheriff fees apply. You get a fixed quote before we start.

Need a Process Server in New Hampshire?

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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