Iceland Process Server

Overview

Process Server in Iceland: How Service of Process Works

Iceland acceded to the Hague Service Convention on November 10, 2008, with entry into force on July 1, 2009, one of the more recent Nordic accessions. Iceland's declarations touch Article 10 along with Articles 15 and 16, generally directing requests through the formal Central Authority route rather than the Article 10 alternatives. Documents are translated into Icelandic for formal service.

Who serves process

Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Iceland

Iceland is a civil-law country. Since 2015 the Central Authority has been the District Commissioner of Suðurnes (Sýslumaðurinn á Suðurnesjum), which forwards documents to a process server.

Iceland has not objected to postal service under Article 10(a), but it objects to 10(b) and 10(c). Formal service only happens if documents are in Icelandic or translated; otherwise they can only be delivered to someone who accepts them voluntarily.

For defendants in Reykjavík or elsewhere in Iceland, the usual starting point is a statement of claim with a summons to appear; orders, notices and enforcement papers follow later in a case. Defendants may be anywhere from Reykjavík to Eastern & Southern Iceland, and we cover the whole country.

Treaties

Hague Service Convention and Iceland

Iceland 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. On Article 10: Iceland accepts postal service, but objects to direct service by judicial officers or agents.

Iceland is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.