Should a legal process server need to be licensed?

The license for the process server is not required by all the states, but some states require that process servers be registered in their county or state or appointed to serve in a specific county. So, when hiring a process server for legal process serving, you must ensure that the person you choose meets all federal and state requirements related to service of process.

New York does not have a statewide license requirement, but there are local process serving requirements.

• The individuals serving the five boroughs area Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens must be licensed through the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.
• A Process Server Individual License is required for a person who serves five or more processes in any one-year period, for the areas that require licensing.
• Attorneys admitted to practice in New York State and government employees that serve process as part of their job are exempt from this licensing requirement.