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Process service · Midwest · United States

Illinois Process Server

Service of process across all 102 Illinois counties, including Cook County, by licensed private detectives and special process servers under 735 ILCS 5/2-202.

Request service in Illinois 855-505-9155
SUMMONS SERVICE WINDOW
30 days
ABODE SERVICE
Age 13+
COUNTIES
102

Who may serve

Sheriff or licensed private detective

Or a court-appointed special process server

Abode service

Household member 13+

Plus a mailed copy (§ 2-203)

Summons window

30 days

For most summonses (Rule 101(d))

Electronic service

By court order

Email, text or social media (Rule 102(f))

Overview

Process Server in Illinois: How Service of Process Works

Illinois has no separate process server license. Under section 2-202 of the Code of Civil Procedure, summons are served by the sheriff, by a private detective licensed or registered under Illinois law, or by a special process server the court appoints. Cook County long required a court appointment first; recent changes now allow licensed private detectives to serve there too, so we confirm the current Cook County practice for each case. Papers can be left at the home with a household member aged 13 or older, plus a mailed copy.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Illinois

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-202, process may be served by the sheriff, by a private detective licensed or registered under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act, or by a person the court specially appoints. Illinois doesn't issue a separate process server license.

For years, Cook County required a special court appointment before a private detective could serve. Illinois practitioners report that licensed private detectives may now serve in Cook County without one, so we confirm the current requirement before serving there.

Typical documents include summonses and complaints, eviction (forcible entry and detainer) papers, subpoenas, family law petitions and orders of protection.

Proof you receive

A private detective's affidavit of service states that they are licensed or registered with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and describes how, when and where service was made, including any mailing for abode service.

Our services

Our Illinois Process Serving Services

01

Statewide service, including Cook County

Service in all 102 counties by licensed private detectives, with Cook County requirements checked for every case.

02

Abode service done right

Abode service with a qualifying household member and the required mailing, documented in an affidavit that meets section 2-203.

03

Special order and electronic service support

Diligent attempts and records to support a section 2-203.1 or Rule 102(f) motion when the defendant can't be served normally.

The rules

Illinois Service of Process Rules

The Illinois laws and rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
735 ILCS 5/2-202Who may serve process, including in Cook County
735 ILCS 5/2-203Personal and abode service (household member aged 13+)
735 ILCS 5/2-203.1Service by special order of the court
735 ILCS 5/2-204Service on corporations
Ill. S. Ct. R. 101(d)Most summonses must be served within 30 days of their date
Ill. S. Ct. R. 102(f)Court-ordered electronic service
Ill. S. Ct. R. 103(b)Dismissal for lack of diligence in service

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Illinois

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

1

Personal service

First choice

Leaving a copy of the summons with the defendant personally.

735 ILCS 5/2-203(a)(1)
2

Abode service

Standard alternative

Leaving a copy at the defendant's usual place of abode with a family member or resident aged 13 or older, telling them the contents, and mailing a copy to the defendant.

735 ILCS 5/2-203(a)(2)
3

Certified mail (small claims)

Small claims cases

In small claims, service may be made by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Ill. S. Ct. R. 284
4

Service by special order

After reasonable diligence

When normal service is impractical, the court can order another method, including email, text message or social media under Rule 102(f).

735 ILCS 5/2-203.1

Courts

Illinois Courts for Civil Cases

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

Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago)

Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 435-5670M-F: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois (Springfield)

Federal Courthouse, 600 East Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701

(217) 492-4020M-F: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois (East St. Louis)

Melvin Price Federal Building, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201

(618) 482-9371M-F: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court

160 N. LaSalle Street, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 793-1332M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Illinois Circuit Courts (Domestic Relations 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: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (typical)

Court website

Statewide reach

Process Server Coverage in Every Illinois County

Process service in every Illinois county, 102 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Chicagoland

11 counties
01Cook County
02DuPage County
03Lake County
04Will County
05Kane County
06McHenry County
07Kendall County
08Grundy County
09Kankakee County
10Montgomery County
11Fulton 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 Illinois: What to Know

Watch the summons date

Most Illinois summonses must be served within 30 days of their date; if that passes, ask the clerk for an alias summons.

Diligence matters

Under Supreme Court Rule 103(b), a case can be dismissed if the plaintiff didn't use reasonable diligence to serve, so keep detailed attempt records.

Cook County is changing

Cook County once required a special appointment for private detectives; practitioners report that requirement has been relaxed, so check current practice before serving.

Electronic service is possible

Rule 102(f) lets courts order service by email, text or social media when traditional methods fail and diligence is shown.

FAQs

Process Server Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who can serve papers in Illinois?

The sheriff, a private detective licensed or registered under Illinois law, or a special process server appointed by the court, under 735 ILCS 5/2-202. Illinois doesn't issue a separate process server license.

Do I need a special process server in Cook County?

Historically, yes: Cook County required a court appointment before a private detective could serve. Illinois practitioners report that licensed private detectives may now serve there without one. We confirm the current requirement before serving in Cook County.

Can a family member accept papers for me in Illinois?

Yes. Under section 2-203, papers can be left at your home with a family member or other resident aged 13 or older, who is told what they are, and a copy is also mailed to you.

How long does a process server have to serve a summons in Illinois?

Most summonses must be served within 30 days of their date under Supreme Court Rule 101(d). If that window passes, the plaintiff can ask the clerk to issue an alias summons.

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

Generally 30 days after service, not counting the day of service, for most summonses. Check the summons, as some cases set a specific appearance date instead, and speak to a lawyer promptly.

How much does a process server cost in Illinois?

There's no single Illinois price: a routine service in Springfield costs less than a rush job or a hard-to-find defendant in Southern Illinois. Sheriffs charge set fees, while private detectives set their own. 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 Illinois?

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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