Many times, Indiana process server Aaron M. Rader is contacted by attorneys hiring a private process server for the first time. Most attorneys are familiar with the private service of process procedure, but for those new to using a private Indiana process server, this blog may help to explain how the process works. Indiana process server Aaron M. Rader will gather all necessary information with a few questions and clarifications.

Where are the documents to be served?

• Indianapolis, Speedway, Beech Grove, Lawrence (Marion County);
• Noblesville, Carmel**, Fishers, Westfield (Hamilton County);
• Lebanon or Zionsville (Boone County);
• Danville, Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield (Hendricks County);
• Martinsville or Mooresville (Morgan County);
• Franklin or Greenwood (Johnson County);
• Shelbyville (Shelby County);
• Greenfield, New Palestine, McCordsville (Hancock County);
• Anderson or Pendleton (Madison County***)

How soon do the service documents need to be served?

• Standard Service Rate – first attempt made by the 3^rd day of Aaron M. Rader Process Service (“AMRPS”) receiving the legal documents: $55.00 for service in Indianapolis and Carmel; $75.00 for service in cities in counties contiguous to Marion County, such as Noblesville, Fishers, Lebanon, Zionsville, Danville, Brownsburg, Avon,  Plainfield, Martinsville, Mooresville, Franklin, Greenwood, Shelbyville, Greenfield, New Palestine, and McCordsville.
• Express Service Rate – first attempt made in the first or second day of AMRPS receiving the legal documents. Add $10 to Standard Service of Process Rate
• Same Day Service: Add $30 to Standard Service of Process Rate.
• $49.00 for service in Indianapolis and Carmel on Registered Agents, Custodian of Records, and Businesses at non-residential business addresses where the legal documents can be left with any person at the address.

What type of service of process is required?

• Personal Service – Serving an individual court documents
• Substitute Service – If the individual to be served is not at the service address, left with another person at the service address.
• Corporate Service – Leaving with a person designated to accept service for that business or agency.
• Copy Service – Posting a copy of the legal documents. Standard AMRPS copy service procedure is leaving the documents inside an envelope, taped securely to the door, and also mailing copies of same to the entity.

Special Circumstances

• Waiting for a person to arrive at an address.  AMRPS charges an hourly rate in situations where the server is directed by the customer to wait longer than 15 minutes at an address.  A one hour minimum will be charged plus the service fee.  The customer and AMRPS must agree to this additional charge prior to the service attempts.
• If the customer needs the server to find a complete address on site (e.g.  room number at hotel, apartment number, correct street address), the hourly rate applies.
• Testifying in court:
  • Marion County – $50.00 for the first hour, $30.00 per hour thereafter (one hour minimum charge);
  • Hamilton County $60.00 for the first hour, $30.00 per hour thereafter (one hour minimum charge);
  • Boone, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, and Hendricks Counties - $75.00 for the first hour, $30.00 per hour thereafter (one hour minimum charge);
  • By agreement in all other jurisdictions
• If there are two or more individuals to be served at the same address, and one person can accept for the other(s), the service job is charged as if it is service on one entity****.  If one person cannot accept service for the other, and the server needs to return to serve the additional person(s), the job(s) are charged separately.

*              Not all cities in said counties are listed.  Contact Indiana Process Server Aaron M. Rader at (317) 529-6650 or ProcessServerIN@Gmail.com if you do not see the city where you need the legal documents served.

**           Service in Carmel is charged at the Indianapolis (Marion County) rates.

***         Madison County IS NOT contiguous to Marion County.

****       Add $10.00 per person, not including the first, on two or more persons for affidavit preparation.