Routine
$170
First attempt within 3 business days.
Each additional defendant at the same address: $110.
Process Serving · Virginia
Virginia Process Server for Law Firms
Have summonses, complaints and other court papers served anywhere in Virginia, ordered and tracked from one account. Below: who can serve papers in Virginia, 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 Virginia
- Personal service
Delivering a copy of the process in writing to the party in person. Va. Code § 8.01-296(1) ↗
- Substituted service on a family member
If the party is not found at the usual place of abode, delivering a copy and explaining its purport to a family member 16 or older found there, other than a temporary sojourner or guest. Va. Code § 8.01-296(2)(a) ↗
- Posting, then mailing
If that cannot be done, posting a copy at the main entrance of the place of abode; at least 10 days before a default judgment, a copy is mailed to the party and a certificate of mailing is filed. Va. Code § 8.01-296(2)(b) ↗
Who
Who can serve papers in Virginia
Process may be served by the sheriff within the sheriff's territory, or by any person 18 or older who is not a party or otherwise interested in the subject matter in controversy. Va. Code § 8.01-293(A) ↗
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: Service within twelve months after the action is commenced is timely. Later service is timely only if the court finds the plaintiff exercised due diligence to have timely service made. Va. Code § 8.01-275.1 ↗
Proof
The proof of service in Virginia
Return of process with private server's affidavit. The server makes a return to the clerk's office within 72 hours of service. A private server's proof includes an affidavit of qualifications, the date and manner of service, the party served, and an annotation on the return that service was by a private server with their name, address and phone. Va. Code § 8.01-325 ↗
Your server's proof is built from the field record of the serve.
Price
What a Virginia serve costs
Per person served, shown before you submit. Subscription plans take up to 20% off every serve.
Rush
$220
First attempt within 24 hours.
Same-day
$270
For papers that cannot wait.
Questions
Serving papers in Virginia: questions
Who can serve process in Virginia?
The sheriff, or any person 18 or older who is not a party or otherwise interested in the case (Va. Code § 8.01-293).
Can papers be posted on the door in Virginia?
Yes, if the party is not found and no qualifying family member is there; a copy is then mailed at least 10 days before any default judgment and a certificate of mailing filed (Va. Code § 8.01-296(2)(b)).
How long do you have to serve in Virginia?
Twelve months after the action is commenced; later service is timely only on a finding of due diligence (Va. Code § 8.01-275.1).
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 Virginia today.
Create your free firm account, upload the papers and choose routine, rush or same-day.