How to Become a Process Server Blog

I’ve received a lot of questions lately from people looking to become process servers in Florida. Most people want to know about the licensing requirements and how to go about about getting licensed.

First things first, you do not need a license in Florida to serve papers. However, you will need to be appointed as a “special process server” in your county. In most cases, this is handled by the local sheriff’s office, but in certain counties it’s handled through the courts.

To be appointed as a special process server, you must do three things:

1. You must demonstrate a knowledge of the laws pertaining to service of process. Usually, this means taking a small quiz or exam. A study guide is usually provided. I been speaking with a lot of process servers down in Florida, and they tell me this part is pretty easy.
2. You must purchase a $5,000 bond. This might sound like a lot, but a $5,000 bond can be purchased very cheaply. Shop around for the best deal.
3. You must pass a background check with no felony convictions. Misdemeanors don’t seem to be an issue. Certain misdemeanors involving moral turpitude can disqualify you if they are within the last five years.

Keep in mind that some of these requirements may change by county to county. The good news is that this is an established process and every county can provide you with accurate, local information.

So what does this all mean for a person who wishes to become a process server in Florida? Well, it is a minor inconvenience to get appointed, but I believe it carries benefits in the long run:

• A more stringent qualifying process means that less people will become process servers. This means less competition.
• Being appointed by the sheriff’s office gives you instant credibility. This is especially important when you are out marketing your services to law firms, etc.
• Most sheriffs maintain an online database of all the special process servers in their county. This is basically free advertising for you.

There is one primary drawback to Florida’s system. You are only allowed to serve in the county that you are appointed in. Unlike Texas, it does not entitle you to carry out service of process statewide. This is why so many process servers network and refer business to each other in Florida. If you are just starting out, establish business relationships with process servers in neighboring counties. Agree to refer your out-of-county work to them if they do the same for you.

There is still a lot of opportunity new process servers in Florida. Don’t be afraid to jump in and get your feet wet. The huge amount of foreclosures in that state is creating even more opportunity. Visit my main page for more information on how to become a process server.

If you’ve decided to become a process server, let me be the first to congratulate you. It’s a great profession and there’s a lot of opportunities in the field. It’s not uncommon for a good process server to make $70,000 to $100,000 a year or more. Some even go on to open a large firm with multiple employees. For these ambitious process servers, there’s no limit to how much can be made.

Process servers are a vital part of the legal system. Many cases wouldn’t be able to proceed with the help of a skilled process server. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career, you’ll find it as a process server.

There are basically two career paths you can follow. First, you could go to work for an established process server firm. This involves submitting your resume to several firms in your area and working for them as an employee or possibly as an independent contractor. Look up “process servers” in the phone book and send your resume off to as many firms as you can. Include a sincere cover letter that explains why you want to become a process server.

The second career path is to start your own business and develop a client base. Many process servers, including myself, started their business from home. The overhead is very low and you don’t need a lot of money to get started. With a cell, some business cards, and a few other basics so can be in business for yourself.

It might take a little extra effort to get your business going, but the profit potential is a lot higher than working for an existing firm. Rather than splitting your service fees with an employer, you’ll get to keep all of the profits for yourself.

The second benefit to starting your own business is that you can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. Personally, I don’t like to work more than twenty hours a week but I still like to make a good income. Process serving gives me the ability to do that.

When you’re just starting out, the best way to get new clients is from word of mouth; and best of all it doesn’t cost anything. Do a good job for your clients and word will spread quickly that you’re a reputable process server.

Law firms are the biggest source of income for process servers. You should contact law firms directly and introduce yourself as a process server. Set your rates lower than the competitors in your area and aggressively seek to do business with law firms.

Having even just a few moderate sized law firms as clients can generate enough business to keep you very busy and make you a lot of money. The best law firms to work with are those that handle a lot of divorce cases and civil lawsuits. These types of firms generate the highest volume of legal documents that need to be served.

Most importantly, be creative and flexible. Think of new ways to market your business and test things out through trial and error. I didn’t know anything about the business when I fist got started and I was able to build a profitable business in a very short period of time.

For more information, visit my main page and learn more about process serving. Best of luck!

Along with updating the Process Server Profits course, I decided to do a complete overhaul of the site, and I’m very happy with the results. The most exciting change is the addition of this blog. I figured that it’s about time I started blogging. It’s a great opportunity to share my experiences owning a process server business with the newbies just looking to get started in the field. I plan to post a lot of articles about how to become a process server, how to get a process server license, how to get clients, and how to complete the service of process. Keep checking back for new updates, and visit my main page for more information about becoming a process server. Thanks for stopping by!