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Process service · South · United States

Tennessee Process Server

Service of process in all 95 Tennessee counties by private process servers under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 4, with returns that name the server.

Request service in Tennessee 855-505-9155
TO SERVE AFTER ISSUE
90 days
WHO MAY SERVE
Any adult
COUNTIES
95

Who may serve

Any adult non-party

Named with address on the return

Time to serve

90 days

From issue of the summons (Rule 4.03)

Home service

Only if evading

Recipient must be named on the proof

Service by mail

Allowed

Certified or registered, return receipt

Overview

Process Server in Tennessee: How Service of Process Works

In Tennessee, any person who is at least 18 and not a party can serve a summons and complaint, and the server must be identified by name and address on the return. A summons must be served within 90 days of being issued. Tennessee is stricter than many states about leaving papers at the home: that's allowed only if the defendant evades or tries to evade service, and the name of the person who received the papers must appear on the proof of service.

Who may serve

Who Can Serve Legal Papers in Tennessee

Under Rule 4.01, a summons and complaint may be served by the sheriff or by any person who is not a party and is at least 18. Private service has been allowed at the plaintiff's option since 1988. The process server must be identified by name and address on the return.

Tennessee has no statewide license for private process servers.

Typical documents include summonses and complaints, civil warrants, detainer warrants (evictions), subpoenas and divorce papers.

Proof you receive

The server endorses a return on the summons stating the time and manner of service and their name and address; for home service, it also names the person who received the papers.

Our services

Our Tennessee Process Serving Services

01

Private process service statewide

Service in all 95 counties with returns that name the server and, where needed, the person served, as Rule 4 requires.

02

Evasion documentation

Detailed records of attempts, so home service is available when a defendant evades.

03

Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and statewide

Fast service in Davidson, Shelby, Knox, Hamilton and every Tennessee county.

The rules

Tennessee Service of Process Rules

The Tennessee rules that matter most for service:

RuleWhat it covers
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.01Who may serve: the sheriff or any adult non-party
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.03Serve within 90 days of issue; return of service
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(1)Personal service; home service only on evasion
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(10)Service by mail
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.0130 days to answer after service

Service methods

How to Serve Legal Documents in Tennessee

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 summons and complaint to the defendant personally.

Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(1)
2

Leaving at the home

Only if the defendant evades service

Leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling with a person of suitable age and discretion who lives there; that person's name must appear on the proof of service.

Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(1)
3

Service on an agent

If an agent is authorized

Delivering copies to an agent authorized by appointment or by law.

Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(1)
4

Certified or registered mail

For Tennessee residents

Mailing a certified copy of the summons and the complaint by return-receipt mail; service is complete when the defendant or an authorized person signs.

Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(10)

Courts

Tennessee Courts for Civil Cases

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

Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville)

Estes Kefauver Federal Building, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 736-5498M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Federal Court

U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee (Memphis)

167 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103

(901) 495-1200M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
State Supreme Court

Tennessee Supreme Court

Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219

(615) 741-2681M-F: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Court website
Family Law Court

Tennessee Chancery/Circuit Courts (Family Matters) — By County

Family law matters are handled at the county Chancery or Circuit Court 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 Tennessee County

Process service in every Tennessee county, 95 in all. Choose a region, then click any county to view its courts and local service details.

Middle Tennessee (Nashville Metro)

10 counties
01Davidson County
02Williamson County
03Rutherford County
04Wilson County
05Sumner County
06Cheatham County
07Robertson County
08Maury County
09Dickson County
10Montgomery 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 Tennessee: What to Know

Home service needs evasion

Unlike many states, Tennessee allows leaving papers at the home only when the defendant evades or attempts to evade service.

Name the recipient

For home service, the name of the person who received the papers must appear on the proof of service.

90 days from issue

If a summons isn't served within 90 days of issue, it's returned unserved and a new one must be issued.

Proving the address

A driver's license, handgun-carry permit or utility bill can help prove that an address is the defendant's usual place of abode.

FAQs

Process Server Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who can serve papers in Tennessee?

The sheriff or any person who is at least 18 and not a party, under Rule 4.01. The server must be identified by name and address on the return.

Can someone else at my house accept papers for me in Tennessee?

Only if you evade or try to evade service. Then the papers can be left with a person of suitable age and discretion who lives at your home, and that person's name must appear on the proof of service.

How long does a summons last in Tennessee?

A summons should be served within 90 days of being issued under Rule 4.03; otherwise it's returned unserved and a new summons is needed.

I was served in Tennessee. How long do I have to answer?

Generally 30 days after service of the summons and complaint, under Rule 12.01. The summons states the deadline; a lawyer licensed in Tennessee can confirm it.

How much does a process server cost in Tennessee?

There's no single Tennessee price: a routine service in Nashville costs less than a rush job or a hard-to-find defendant in Upper Cumberland & Southern Middle Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?

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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