Process service · South · United States
Overview
Process Server in Mississippi: How Service of Process Works
In Mississippi, a summons and complaint may be served by any person who is at least 18 and not a party, and the cost can be recovered up to the amount the sheriff would charge. Personal delivery comes first. Only if that can't be done with reasonable diligence can the papers be left at the defendant's usual place of abode with their spouse or a family member over 16 who is willing to accept them, followed by a mailing; that service is complete 10 days after mailing. Service must be made within 120 days of filing.
Who may serve
Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Mississippi
Under Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(1), a summons and complaint may be served by any person who is not a party and is at least 18. Mississippi doesn't license process servers, and a private server's fee can be taxed as costs up to the sheriff's statutory amount.
Substituted service at the home is a fallback, available only after personal service can't be made with reasonable diligence.
Typical documents include summonses and complaints, justice court papers, eviction papers, subpoenas and divorce papers.
Proof you receive
The server signs a proof of service stating how, when and where service was made; for substituted service, it also records the mailing.
Our services
Our Mississippi Process Serving Services
01
Personal service statewide
Personal service in all 82 counties, with documented attempts that support substituted service if needed.
02
Substituted service done right
Substituted service with the required mailing, timed so service completes on schedule.
03
Jackson, Gulfport and statewide
Fast service in Hinds, Harrison, DeSoto, Rankin and every Mississippi county.
The rules
Mississippi Service of Process Rules
The Mississippi rules that matter most for service:
| Rule | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Miss. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(1) | Who may serve: any adult non-party |
| Miss. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1) | Personal and substituted service on individuals |
| Miss. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(5) | Certified mail for out-of-state persons |
| Miss. R. Civ. P. 4(h) | Serve within 120 days of filing |
| Miss. R. Civ. P. 12(a) | 30 days to answer |
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