Belize Process Server

Overview

Process Server in Belize: How Service of Process Works

Belize deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Service Convention on September 8, 2009, becoming the 60th State Party when the Convention entered into force domestically on May 1, 2010. As a Commonwealth common-law jurisdiction and the only Central American country with English as its official language, Belize's Central Authority arranges service typically through a local court under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act and its Rules of the Supreme Court.

Who serves process

Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Belize

Belize has a common-law system, and service there follows its own procedure code, applied by the courts in Belmopan.

Published guidance for Belize is limited, so practical details for Belmopan are confirmed case by case. Translation is not normally needed, because English is an official language of Belize and its courts in Belmopan.

The documents most often bound for Belmopan and the rest of Belize are a claim form or writ of summons with the statement of claim, plus orders, subpoenas and other court notices. We serve in Belmopan, across the Belize District and out to Southern Belize.

Treaties

Hague Service Convention and Belize

Belize is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. We check its declarations on postal and direct service before choosing a method.

Belize is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so requests for witness testimony or documents go through letters rogatory.