Overview
Process Server in Louisiana: How Service of Process Works
Louisiana's civil law system starts with the sheriff. Citations are served by the sheriff of the parish where service is made, either personally or by domiciliary service on a person of suitable age and discretion living at the defendant's home. If the sheriff hasn't served within 10 days of receiving the process, or reports being unable to serve, the court must appoint a private process server on a party's motion. Licensed Louisiana private investigators are presumed qualified. Service must be requested within 90 days of filing.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Louisiana
Service is made by the sheriff under Code of Civil Procedure article 1291. Under article 1293, when the sheriff hasn't served within 10 days of receiving the process, or returns it as unable to serve, whichever is earlier, the court must, on motion, appoint a person over the age of majority who isn't a party and lives in Louisiana. A licensed Louisiana private investigator is presumed qualified.
For summary proceedings and related subpoenas, the court can appoint a private server without first requiring the sheriff to try, if the motion explains the urgency by affidavit. The court may also appoint a company, which then assigns a qualified employee.
Typical documents include citations with petitions, rules to show cause, eviction papers, subpoenas and divorce papers.
Proof you receive: a sworn affidavit of service
The sheriff files a return. An appointed private server proves service like any other fact in the case, usually by an affidavit of service stating the place and method of service and, if needed, by testimony.
Appointed private process service
When the sheriff's 10 days pass, we help obtain the article 1293 appointment and serve promptly.
Sheriff service coordination
Preparing and tracking sheriff service in all 64 parishes so you know when a private appointment is available.
New Orleans, Baton Rouge and statewide
Service in Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo and every Louisiana parish.
The rules
Louisiana Service of Process Rules
The Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure articles that matter most for service:
| Rule | What it covers |
|---|---|
| La. C.C.P. art. 1201(C) | Service must be requested within 90 days of filing |
| La. C.C.P. art. 1232 | Personal service |
| La. C.C.P. art. 1234 | Domiciliary service |
| La. C.C.P. art. 1291 | Service by the sheriff |
| La. C.C.P. art. 1293 | Appointment of a private process server |
| La. C.C.P. art. 1001 | Time to answer the petition |
Treaties
Louisiana and the Hague Conventions: Treaty Status
The Hague Service Convention lets member countries send documents to each other's Central Authorities for service. Louisiana has not joined it, so that route isn't available, and the Convention's Article 10 rules on postal and private service don't apply. Whether those methods are acceptable depends on Louisiana's law and on what your court allows.
Louisiana is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so requests for witness testimony or documents go through letters rogatory.
