Process service · Asia & PacificOverview
Process Server in Marshall Islands: How Service of Process Works
The Marshall Islands acceded to the Hague Service Convention on July 29, 2020, with entry into force on February 1, 2021 — one of the more recent Pacific accessions. Notably, when it first acceded, the Marshall Islands had made no declarations and designated no Central Authority; both were added shortly afterward, with the Attorney-General of the Marshall Islands ultimately designated as Central Authority, and declarations filed touching Articles 8 and 10(a). Documents served under Article 5 must be in, or translated into, English.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in the Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands has a common-law legal system. The Hague Service Convention has been in force since February 1, 2021, and the Central Authority is the Attorney-General in Majuro. Documents are served personally; non-resident domestic entities and foreign maritime entities can be served by courier or mail on their registered agent, The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands.
The Marshall Islands objects to postal service under Article 10(a), but not to direct service by judicial officers or competent persons under 10(b) and (c). Documents must be in English. Process server costs are usually under US$100, and service takes about two weeks, longer on the outer islands.
Typical documents include summonses and complaints, court orders and notices. Many cases involve shipping companies registered in the Marshall Islands.
Proof you receive: certificate or sworn affidavit
The process server swears an affidavit of service, and the Attorney-General returns the Hague Certificate of Service.
Attorney-General Central Authority Filing
We prepare and submit the Hague request to the Attorney-General of the Marshall Islands, the designated Central Authority, for execution through the local court system.
English-Language Filing Support
As an English-language jurisdiction, Marshall Islands filings avoid the certified-translation costs common in many other Hague jurisdictions.
Case Timeline Tracking
Given how recently this accession matured with declarations and a Central Authority in place, we track filings closely and provide realistic timeline guidance.
Treaties
Hague Service Convention and Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands 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: The Marshall Islands objects to postal service but allows direct service by judicial officers or competent persons.
The Marshall Islands is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so requests for witness testimony or documents go through letters rogatory.
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