Applications are accepted October 1 – November 1 Annually
Program Description
Process Servers in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit are certified by the Chief Judge and the program is administered by the Administrative Office of the Court. Certified Process Servers are required to exercise due diligence while effecting service and to comply with related rules, statutes, and administrative orders.
Certified process servers are not employees or independent contractors of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. The Administrative Office of the Court makes no representations or promises as to their abilities or success in securing business.
Names of current certified process servers for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit are listed below.
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Directory of 2024 15th Judicial Circuit Certified Process Servers |
Certification Requirements for Process Servers:
Pursuant to Florida Statute 48.29(3), all persons seeking to be added to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit's certified process server list must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Have no mental or legal disability;
- Be a permanent resident of the State of Florida;
- File the applicable application and meet the requirements set forth therein/pay applicable fees;
- Submit to a background investigation, which shall include the right to obtain and review the criminal record of the applicant. Applicant will complete this through FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement);
- Obtain and file with the application a certificate of good conduct, which specifies there is no pending criminal case against the applicant and that there is no record of any felony conviction, nor a record of a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, with respect to the applicant within the past 5 years;
- Applicant must execute a $5,000 surety bond with a company authorized to do business in Florida with the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit named as the insured and keep the bond current and in good standing;
- Attend required trainings and take and pass a written examination through FAPPS; and
- Attend a swearing in ceremony (January).
Application Directions:
Applications and payments will only be accepted in an electronic format. No paper applications will be accepted. Payments must be submitted electronically via the links listed below.
New Applicants
New Applications are accepted from October 1 through November 1 of each year each year. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. New Applicants must:
- Submit a Completed Application (Download New Application
) Applications must be sent electronically to CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org. - Pay a $24.00 FDLE Background Check Fee (paid directly by applicant to FDLE), which shall include the right to obtain and review the criminal record of the applicant.
- Attend 16 hour training course approved by Court Administration and pass the corresponding written examination. The cost of which is paid directly to the training program. Information on the training courses currently approved by Court Administration are outlined in the "Training Courses" section below.
- Applicant must record a $5,000 bond with the Clerk and Comptroller's Office - Recording Department and provide a copy of the recorded bond to the Administrative Office of the Court. A copy of the recorded bond shall be sent electronically to CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org.
- Attend a swearing in ceremony (January).
- Obtain and file with the application a certificate of good conduct, which specifies there is no pending criminal case against the applicant and that there is no record of any felony conviction, nor a record of a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, with respect to the applicant within the past 5 years. (Download Certificate of Good Conduct )
- Electronically pay a $250.00 Application Fee.
Renewal Applicants
Renewals are accepted through the month of October each year. Current Certified Process Servers must renew annually to remain on the list of Certified Process Servers maintained by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Failure to complete a renewal form, to maintain a current bond, and to tender the required renewal fee may result in your name being removed from the list. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Renewal applicants must:
- Submit a completed Renewal Application (Download Renewal Application ). Applications must be sent electronically to CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org.
- Pay a $24.00 FDLE Background Check Fee (paid directly by applicant to FDLE), which shall include the right to obtain and review the criminal record of the applicant.
- Attend a 4 hour continuing education course approved by Court Administration. Information on the continuing education courses currently approved by Court Administration are outlined in the "Training Courses" section.
- Provide a copy of a recorded original bond/continuation certificate OR a certified recorded copy of continuation bond to Administrative Office of Court. This information shall be sent electronically to CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org.
- Obtain and file with the application a certificate of good conduct, which specifies there is no pending criminal case against the applicant and that there is no record of any felony conviction, nor a record of a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, with respect to the applicant within the past 5 years. (Download Certificate of Good Conduct )
- Electronically Pay $200.00 Application Fee.
Reciprocal Applicants from Dade County
Process Servers who are certified by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit will be extended reciprocity by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit upon satisfaction of the below requirements. Applications for reciprocity are accepted from October 1 through November 1 of each year. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Submit a Completed Application (Download Reciprocal Application ) via CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org.
- Pay a $24.00 FDLE Background Check Fee (paid directly by applicant to FDLE), which shall include the right to obtain and review the criminal record of the applicant.
- Tender a letter or a certificate of good standing from the Administrative Office of the Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
- Submit proof of completed training through the Eleventh Circuit within the last 2 years.
- Applicant must execute and record a $5,000 bond with the Clerk and Comptroller's Office - Recording Department and provide a copy of the recorded bond to the Administrative Office of the Court via CAD-ProcessServer@pbcgov.org.
- Attend a swearing in ceremony (January)
- Obtain and file with the application a certificate of good conduct, which specifies there is no pending criminal case against the applicant and that there is no record of any felony conviction, nor a record of a conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, with respect to the applicant within the past 5 years. (Download Certificate of Good Conduct )
- Electronically Pay $250.00 Application Fee.
Training Courses:
Court Approved Training Courses:
16 Hour Process Server Training Courses (for new applicants):
Court Administration has approved an online training course provided by the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers. The course runs 16 hours over 2 days and cost $180, to be paid directly to FAPPS. The required written exam will be offered as part of the course.
There are multiple dates available on the FAPPS website, the applicant can select which date(s) they prefer to take the course. For more information and to register for a course, please visit the FAPPS Process Server Education website.
4 Hour Continuing Education Courses (for renewals):
Court Administration has approved a 4 hour online continuing education course provided by the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers. The course costs $75 and is being offered on multiple dates. For more information and to register for a course, please visit the FAPPS Process Server Education website.
How to Obtain a Bond:
We cannot select the bond company for you. Below are the names of insurance companies which have underwritten bonds in the past:
- Western Surety Company
- Great American Insurance Company
- State Farm Fire and Casualty Company
- International Fidelity Insurance Company
- American Contractors Indemnity Company
- RLI Insurance Company
Relevant Orders, Rules and Statutes
Administrative Orders: All Certified Process Servers are required to read and abide by the Administrative Orders which govern process servers (found in Series 2):
Related Laws
All Certified Process Servers are required to understand and comply with the statutes, rules of court, and administrative orders which pertain to service of process.
Chapter 48, Florida Statutes, in particular Sections 48.25-48.31, the "Florida Certified Process Servers Act"; Florida Rules of Civil Procedures 1.070 and 1.808; and Florida Small Claims Rule 7.070.
Related Forms
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Notice of Attempted Service - English |
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Notice of Attempted Service- Spanish |
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Notice of Attempted Service - Creole |
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Return of Service |
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Return of Non Service |
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Affidavit of Diligent Search and Inquiry |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does "service" mean as it relates to process servers?
- "Service" is the official delivery of legal papers on parties, witnesses or other people involved in a case pursuant to and in compliance with Florida Statutes.
- Why do legal papers need to be officially served?
- Official service of a summons and a copy of your complaint or petition are necessary to start a legal action by giving the other side formal notice that there is a lawsuit filed against them. After serving the other parties in your civil case, the process server files a return of service form with the Court so that the judge will know service has been performed according to the law. Civil process servers can also serve subpoenas (orders to appear in court or produce documents) and other legal notices and may be called upon to testify in Court if there is a question about proper service. All parties requesting service of process should be aware of the proper and legal service required in the legal proceeding.
- Who do I contact to serve my legal papers?
- In the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach County), either a deputy sheriff or a certified process server may serve initial non-enforceable process.
- How do I have legal papers served on a person or business outside of Palm Beach County?
- Process servers are certified differently by each county. Please check with the Sheriff's Office in the county in which the person is located to inquire about how to effectuate service of process in that county.
The Administrative Office of the Court maintains an approved list of Certified Civil Process Servers approved by the Chief Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Palm Beach County: see link to current Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Certified Process Servers at the top of this page.
The Palm Beach County's Sheriff Office Civil Process Unit carries out the Sheriff's statutory responsibility for the service of process and execution of writs. For more information on the Civil Process Unit, go to www.pbso.org.
Office of the General Counsel Phone (561) 355-1952 Room 5.2500 Courthouse Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse