Routine
$120
First attempt within 3 business days.
Each additional defendant at the same address: $75.
Process Serving · Rhode Island
Rhode Island Process Server for Law Firms
Have summonses, complaints and other court papers served anywhere in Rhode Island, ordered and tracked from one account. Below: who can serve papers in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island
- Personal service
Delivering the summons, complaint, Language Assistance Notice and all other required documents to the individual personally, or to an agent authorized to receive service. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(e)(1) ↗
- Leaving papers at the home
Leaving copies at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(e)(1) ↗
- Waiver of service
A defendant may waive service; the rule sets a duty to save the costs of service and a request-to-waive procedure. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(d) ↗
Who
Who can serve papers in Rhode Island
Service of all process is made by a duly authorized officer under Title 9, Chapter 5 of the General Laws, or by any person who is not a party and is at least 18. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(c) ↗
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: If service is not made within 120 days after the action is commenced, the court dismisses without prejudice as to that defendant or directs service within a set time, extending it for good cause. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(l) ↗
Proof
The proof of service in Rhode Island
Proof of service. The server makes proof on the original process or an attached paper and returns it to the plaintiff's attorney; a server who is not an authorized officer makes an affidavit. Proof is filed within the time the person served has to respond. R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(j) ↗
Your server's proof is built from the field record of the serve.
Price
What a Rhode Island serve costs
Per person served, shown before you submit. Subscription plans take up to 20% off every serve.
Rush
$170
First attempt within 24 hours.
Same-day
$220
For papers that cannot wait.
Questions
Serving papers in Rhode Island: questions
Who can serve papers in Rhode Island Superior Court?
A duly authorized officer under Title 9, Chapter 5, such as a sheriff or constable, or any non-party at least 18 (R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(c)).
How long do you have to serve in Rhode Island?
120 days after the action is commenced (R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(l)).
What must be served with a Rhode Island summons?
The complaint, the Language Assistance Notice and all other required documents, served together (R.I. Super. R. Civ. P. 4(e)).
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 Rhode Island today.
Create your free firm account, upload the papers and choose routine, rush or same-day.