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Process service · South · United States

Virginia Process Server

Service of process in every Virginia county and independent city, by private process servers who meet Code of Virginia § 8.01-293.

Request service in Virginia 855-505-9155
TO SERVE AFTER FILING
1 year
FAMILY MEMBER SERVICE
Age 16+
COUNTIES & CITIES
133

Who may serve

Any adult with no interest

No license required (§ 8.01-293)

Family member service

Aged 16 or older

Not a guest or temporary visitor

Posting

Main door, then mail

Mail at least 10 days before default

Sunday service

Not allowed

With limited exceptions

Overview

Process Server in Virginia: How Service of Process Works

Virginia has no process server license. Under Code of Virginia § 8.01-293, process may be served by the sheriff or by anyone 18 or older who isn't a party or otherwise interested in the case, including private process servers who charge a fee. If the defendant isn't home, papers can be left with a family member aged 16 or older, or, failing that, posted on the main door with a follow-up mailing. Virginia also bars service on Sundays, with limited exceptions.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Virginia

Under § 8.01-293, the sheriff may serve within their territory, and any person 18 or older who is not a party or otherwise interested in the subject matter may serve anywhere. A 'private process server' is simply such a person who charges a fee; Virginia has no license, registration or bond requirement.

When a private server serves, the return must include an affidavit of their qualifications, the date and manner of service, the name of the person served, and a note that service was by a private server, with their name, address and phone number.

Typical documents include summonses and complaints, warrants in debt, unlawful detainers, subpoenas, garnishments and divorce papers.

Proof you receive

A private server completes the return of service (for example on Virginia form CC-1407) with an affidavit of qualifications, the date, time, place and manner of service, and their name, address and phone number.

Our services

Our Virginia Process Serving Services

01

Private process service statewide

Service in every Virginia county and independent city, with returns that include all the details § 8.01-325 requires.

02

Posted service with mailing

Posting and the follow-up mailing and certificate handled correctly, so a default judgment isn't put at risk.

03

Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads

Fast service in Fairfax, Arlington, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and across the state.

The rules

Virginia Service of Process Rules

The Virginia laws and rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
Va. Code § 8.01-293Who may serve, including private process servers
Va. Code § 8.01-296Personal, family-member and posted service
Va. Code § 8.01-289No service of process on Sunday, with exceptions
Va. Code § 8.01-325Return of service by a private server
Va. Code § 8.01-275.1; Rule 3:5(e)Serve within 12 months of filing
Rule 3:821 days to respond after service

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Virginia

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 process to the party in person.

Va. Code § 8.01-296(1)
2

Family member at the home

If the party isn't found at home

Delivering a copy to a family member aged 16 or older who lives there (not a guest or temporary visitor) and explaining what it is.

Va. Code § 8.01-296(2)(a)
3

Posting and mailing

If no family member can be served

Posting a copy on the front or main door, then mailing a copy and filing a certificate of mailing at least 10 days before any default judgment.

Va. Code § 8.01-296(2)(b)
4

Order of publication

When statutory grounds exist

Service by publication where the defendant can't be found or is a nonresident, as the statute allows.

Va. Code § 8.01-316

Courts

Virginia 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 Virginia (Richmond)

Spottswood W. Robinson III & Robert R. Merhige, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, 701 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 916-2200M-F: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia (Roanoke)

210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24011

(540) 857-5100M-F: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Supreme Court of Virginia

100 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 786-2251M-F: 8:15 AM–4:45 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts — By County/City

Family law matters are handled at the county or independent city J&DR Court level; see each county's page for its exact courthouse address

Varies by county/cityM-F: 8:15 AM–4:45 PM (typical)

Court website

Statewide reach

Process Server Coverage in Every Virginia County

Process service in every Virginia county, 133 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Northern Virginia

24 counties
01Arlington County
02Fairfax County
03Fairfax City
04City of Falls Church
05City of Alexandria
06Loudoun County
07Prince William County
08City of Manassas
09City of Manassas Park
10Stafford County
11Spotsylvania County
12City of Fredericksburg
13Fauquier County
14Culpeper County
15Rappahannock County
16Clarke County
17Warren County
18Page County
19Shenandoah County
20Frederick County
21Winchester City
22Madison County
23Greene County
24Orange 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 Virginia: What to Know

No license, but a detailed return

Virginia doesn't license process servers, but a private server's return must include specific information; missing details can invalidate service.

Posting needs a mailing

If papers are posted, a copy must be mailed and a certificate filed at least 10 days before a default judgment can be entered.

No Sunday service

Virginia law bars service of process on Sunday, except in limited situations.

One year to serve

If service isn't made within 12 months of filing, a default judgment can't be entered and the case can be dismissed unless due diligence is shown.

FAQs

Process Server Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Do process servers need a license in Virginia?

No. Under § 8.01-293, anyone 18 or older who isn't a party or otherwise interested in the case can serve, including private servers who charge a fee. Their return must include an affidavit of qualifications.

Can a family member accept papers for me in Virginia?

Yes, if you're not found at home: papers can be given to a family member aged 16 or older who lives there, but not to a guest or temporary visitor.

What is posted service in Virginia?

If no one qualified is home, the papers can be posted on the main door, then mailed to you with a certificate of mailing filed at least 10 days before any default judgment.

Can papers be served on a Sunday in Virginia?

Generally no. Virginia bars service of process on Sunday, except in limited situations set out in the Code.

I was served in Virginia. How long do I have to respond?

In circuit court, generally 21 days after service, under Rule 3:8. General district court cases set a return date on the summons. Get advice from a lawyer licensed in Virginia quickly.

How much does a process server cost in Virginia?

Prices in Virginia depend on where the person is, from Richmond to Eastern Virginia (Hampton Roads & Eastern Shore), how fast you need it, how many attempts it takes and whether we need to find a new address first. You get a fixed quote before we start.

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 Virginia?

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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