Service of Judicial Documents in United Kingdom
The United States and the United Kingdom, are signatories to the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, Done at the Hague, November 15, 1965, (Hague Service Convention). This service is recommended.
This includes Anguilla, Antigua, Bermuda, British Solomon Islands Protectorate, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Central and Southern Line Islands, Falkland Islands and Dependencies, Fiji, Gibraltar, Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena and Dependencies, St. Lucia, St. Vincent. Seychelles, Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis. This method of service is recommended.
In addition, please be aware that Federal Rule 4 directs that service shall be made by any internationally agreed means (treaty or convention) or by an entity "authorized to make service." In addition, several states have the same requirement (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont).
Service in the United Kingdom through the Hague Service Convention generally takes 3 months, but can take longer. No request for expedited service is acknowledged. Because of this, we will provide a notarized affidavit indicating that the service is in progress, that we are in compliance with applicable statutes, and when we reasonably expect service to be completed. This can be used to support a motion to extend, if necessary, and is provided at no additional cost. The judicial authorities in any United Kingdom country are not obligated to provide status. However, we will follow the service as closely as possible. Status can be obtained on the services in England, But will incur an additinal fee. Occasionally status can be obtained in other tUnited Kingdom territories. If status is requested in any United Kingdom territory other than England, we can attempt to obtain information, but will incur an additional fee and there is no guarantee that information will be provided by the applicable central authority.
Please note: It is often possible to quash services effected through the Hague Service Convention because the requesting party "was not authorized to serve process in the state of the originating court and therefore is not authorized to request service." This does not apply to Federal court or any state court that allows service by any individual over the age of 18 and not a party. However, we recommend that an order be obtained as a precautionary measure. We will prepare the order for you at no additional cost. It would be your responsibility to have it executed.
The following is required for us to effect service through the treaty:

  1. One set of service documents for each entity;
  2. Name and address of entity to be served;
  3. Fees, which are due in advance and will be quoted prior to accepting the assignment.

Service is also available by a private agent (attorney). However, it is wise to keep in mind that private agent service may be quashed in the originating U.S. court and any U.S. judgment obtained on the basis of service may not be enforceable in the applicable United Kingdom territory.
Private agent service fees are dependent upon the location of the service, but can usually be effected quickly. The average turnaround time is 2 to 3 weeks. Rush service is available for an additional fee.
Proof of service by a private agent is provided in the form of a notarized affidavit. If possible, the affidavit will be notarized at a U.S. Embassy. If this is impractical due to travel distance, a court certification can be obtained. The additional fees for court certification vary depending upon the territory of the service.
For us to effect private agent service, we require the following:

  1. A complete copy of each of the documents to be served;
  2. Full name, address, and any other available information, for the entity to be served;
  3. Fees, which are due in advance and will be quoted prior to accepting the assignment;
  4. Your written authorization to effect private agent service after being informed of the possible consequences.

Our office can provide all the integral service and assistance to effect service of civil process in any United Kingdom territory using either of the above methods.
Limited areas of investigation, court record retrieval and various searches are available in all United Kingdom territories. Please contact us to discuss your options if you require assistance with something other than the service of civil process.
Call 1-800 SERVE EM (737-8336) for a free, no-obligation quote.

ALL FEES DUE IN ADVANCE