Routine
$125
First attempt within 3 business days.
Each additional defendant at the same address: $80.
Process Serving · District of Columbia
District of Columbia Process Server for Law Firms
Have summonses, complaints and other court papers served anywhere in District of Columbia, ordered and tracked from one account. Below: who can serve papers in District of Columbia, how service is made, the deadlines, the proof of service form and our prices.
Process serving through Legal Hub Group is for law firms, attorneys and their staff. Representing yourself? Our sister company Famous Legal Services handles serves for individuals.
How it is done
How papers are served in District of Columbia
- Personal service
Delivering the summons, complaint, Initial Order and any other order issued at filing to the individual personally, or to an agent authorized to receive service. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(e)(2)(A), (C) ↗
- Leaving papers at the home
Leaving a copy of each at the individual's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(e)(2)(B) ↗
- Certified mail or first-class mail with acknowledgment
Mailing the papers by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by first-class mail with a notice and acknowledgment of service. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c)(4)–(5) ↗
- Court-approved alternative
After diligent effort fails, the court may permit an alternative method reasonably calculated to give actual notice, on a motion with an affidavit of the efforts made. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(e)(3) ↗
Who
Who can serve papers in District of Columbia
Any person who is at least 18 years old and not a party may serve a summons and complaint. On request, and only in limited situations, the court may direct service by a U.S. marshal or a specially appointed person. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c)(2)–(3) ↗
Timelines
How fast, and the court's deadline
Our first-attempt promises:
- Routine: First attempt within 3 business days.
- Rush: First attempt within 24 hours.
- Same-day: for papers that cannot wait.
Every attempt shows in your account as soon as the server logs it.
The court's deadline for service: Within 60 days after the complaint is filed (or 60 days from the return date in an order of publication), the plaintiff must file an acknowledgment of service or a proof of service for each defendant who has not responded. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(m)(1)(A) ↗
Proof
The proof of service in District of Columbia
Affidavit of service. Unless service is acknowledged, proof is the server's affidavit, made under oath, stating the case caption and number, the server's name and the details the rule lists. D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(l)(1) ↗
Your server's proof is built from the field record of the serve.
Price
What a District of Columbia serve costs
Per person served, shown before you submit. Subscription plans take up to 20% off every serve.
Rush
$175
First attempt within 24 hours.
Same-day
$225
For papers that cannot wait.
Questions
Serving papers in District of Columbia: questions
Who can serve papers in DC Superior Court?
Any person at least 18 who is not a party (D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c)(2)).
What has to be served with a DC summons?
The complaint, the Initial Order setting the initial scheduling and settlement conference, any addendum to it, any order permitting an alternative method of service, and any other order issued to the parties at filing (D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c)(1)).
When is proof of service due in DC?
Within 60 days after the complaint is filed, the plaintiff files an acknowledgment of service or a proof of service for each defendant who has not responded (D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(m)(1)(A)).
Keep reading
Guides to serving papers
- Who Can Accept Served Papers?
- How to Serve Someone Court Papers Without an Address
- Can You Serve Someone Yourself?
- What Happens If You Are Not Properly Served?
- Can Court Papers Be Served by Mail?
- What Does a Process Server Do?
- How Much Does a Process Server Cost?
- What Is a Return of Service?
- What Is a Declaration of Non-Service?
- What Is Insufficient Service of Process?
Serving in another state? See process serving in every state.
General information, not legal advice. The rules above are the ones in force when we checked them (October 2026); the court and the cited rules control.
Serve papers in District of Columbia today.
Create your free firm account, upload the papers and choose routine, rush or same-day.