How to Hire our Servers

Canadian Process Serving Inc. provides professional document and courthouse services to law firms, companies, and private individuals across Canada and the United States. This page outlines the steps to engage our services. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-465-7378 for assistance.

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Select your client type below for specific instructions.

Helpful Resources:

For Canadian Law Firms

To ensure the fastest service, please send your documents for service or filing directly to the office nearest to the required location. You can find the correct office using our Office Locations page or our powerful Postal Code Search feature.

Submitting Your Documents:

  • Mail/Courier: Send physical documents to the appropriate office. Please Note: For time-sensitive materials, we strongly advise against using Canada Post.
  • Email: To save time, you can email documents and instructions directly to the relevant office.

Important: We are not responsible for delays or issues caused by documents being sent to the wrong office location. Please verify the correct office before sending.

Once the job is complete, our process server will provide you with a sworn Affidavit of Service (or Attempted Service), and our head office will follow up with a detailed invoice.

Rush & Courthouse Services

  • Rush Service (within 24 hours): Please call our head office first at 1-800-465-7378 or 905-529-2770 to confirm server availability before sending documents. Giving us advance notice via email is also helpful.
  • Courthouse Services: We can perform issuings, filings, and litigation searches. Send the necessary paperwork to the relevant office along with a company cheque for any court fees. If you are unable to provide a cheque for court fees in time, please indicate this in your instructions, as we can often cover it for you.

To request our current price list, please email serve@canadianprocessserving.com or call 1-800-465-7378. Prices are subject to change without notice.

For Canadian Individuals & Companies

If you are not a lawyer or law firm, we require a minimum retainer of $300.00 CAD to begin service. The total cost will be deducted from this retainer, and any remaining balance will be refunded to you. Complex files may require a larger retainer.

Step 1: Pay the Retainer

Payment can be made via certified cheque, money order, or credit card. We do not accept personal cheques.

  • To pay by credit card, please call our office during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9-5 EST) at 1-800-465-7378.
  • You will receive an authorization number, which must be included in your letter of instruction (e.g., ‘Retainer paid by Visa, authorization no. XXXXX’).

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Please include a cover letter with your documents that contains the following information:

  • Your full name, address, and telephone number.
  • The full name and service address for the person(s) being served. An address for service is mandatory.
  • A list of the documents being served (e.g., Plaintiff’s Claim, Statement of Claim).
  • The best time of day for a service attempt, if known.
  • A physical description or photograph of the person being served (highly recommended).
  • The maximum number of attempts you authorize before we contact you for further instructions (typically 3-5 attempts).

For your convenience, please use our checklist: *Click for Private Individual Checklist Form*

Step 3: Send Your Documents

Once payment is arranged, send your documents and cover letter to the appropriate office. You can find the correct office using our Office Locations page or Postal Code Search.

After service is complete, you will receive an Affidavit of Service (or Attempted Service). Our head office will send a final invoice and a refund cheque for any remaining balance from your retainer within 2-4 weeks.

Disclaimer: We understand this process can be stressful. While we are here to help you through it, we are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice or assistance with filling out forms.

Notice to Legal Professionals: If you are a process server, paralegal, or other legal service provider, you must contact our head office before engaging our services to discuss the specific rules that apply.

For U.S. Law Firms, Individuals & Companies

We have extensive experience serving documents in Canada for U.S. clients in accordance with the Hague Convention. Service of process by a private Canadian server is well-established in Canadian law (see Marcus Food Co. v. DiPanfilo, citing Article 10(b) and (c) of the Convention).

Instructions for U.S. Law Firms

You may send your documents directly to the office nearest the service location. Please use our Office Locations page or Postal Code Search to find the correct address. You will receive a sworn Affidavit of Service and a detailed invoice from our head office upon completion.

Instructions for U.S. Individuals & Companies

We require a retainer to be paid upfront via certified cheque, money order, or credit card. Please call us at 1-800-465-7378 (Mon-Fri, 9-5 EST) to pay by credit card and receive your mandatory authorization number.

When sending your documents, please include a cover letter with:

  • Your full name, address, and telephone number.
  • The full name and service address for the person(s) being served. An address for service is mandatory.
  • A list of the documents being served.
  • A physical description or photograph of the person being served (highly recommended).
  • A blank copy of your required Affidavit of Service. Jurisdictional requirements vary, so providing your own form ensures it is completed correctly. Our server will fill it out, have it notarized, and return it to you.

Any unused portion of your retainer will be refunded to you by cheque in USD along with your final invoice.

Note: All prices on our list are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). To request a price list, please email serve@canadianprocessserving.com.

Canadian Process Serving Terms of Service

Effective as of February 1, 2020.

PLEASE REVIEW THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. By accessing this Site or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms. These terms are a legal contract between you (“you,” “your”) and Canadian Process Serving Inc. (“Canadian Process Serving,” “Us,” or “We”). If you are using our services for a company or law firm, you represent that you have the authority to bind your organization to these terms. These terms may change from time to time.

1. Trademarks and Intellectual Property

This Site is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. Content may not be copied, redistributed, or used to create derivative works without prior written consent.

2. Not Legal Advice

Content on this Site is not legal advice. We do not provide legal advice on any matter. If you require legal advice, you must contact a qualified lawyer.

3. Refunds

All accepted work orders are final, and fees are non-refundable.

4. Delivery Information

You agree that all information you provide is accurate and complete. Service will be deemed delivered at the address you provide. Incomplete or incorrect information may result in additional fees for re-attempts.

5. Delivery Timelines & Attempts

  • Rush Assignments: An assignment is considered “rush” if the deadline for service, or your request for completion, is within 5 business days of our receipt of the documents.
  • Same Day Service: Service requested for the same business day documents are received. Requests made after 4:00 PM for “next day” service are considered “same day.”
  • Attempts: By default, we will make two additional attempts at additional cost if the first is unsuccessful. You must advise us in advance if you do not want these additional attempts.

6. Fees

All fees are final. Additional fees may apply for:

  • Evading Service: If we are required to make multiple attempts on a party who is evading service, we may charge for each attempt after the initial one.
  • Surveillance: Surveillance services may be suggested for evasive defendants and will be charged at an hourly rate.
  • Substituted Service & Incidentals: Additional charges for postage, handling, tolls, parking, etc., will be billed.
  • Service by Mail: Requires a court order, which you must provide.

7. Late Fees & Account Suspension

Payment for law firms is due upon receipt of invoice. Accounts overdue by 60 days will be suspended from further service, and a late fee of $50.00 per month will apply. Accounts 90 days overdue may be subject to a formal complaint with the appropriate Law Society and collection action.

8. Suspension and Acceleration

We may suspend services and accelerate any unpaid fee obligations if you have an outstanding balance or if your use of the Site violates these terms or any law.

9. Collecting Outstanding Fees

We may use a collection agency for accounts in arrears. You will be responsible for all associated costs. We reserve the right to withhold any Affidavit of Service until all outstanding fees have been paid in full. For law firms, the firm is responsible for our invoices, regardless of whether your client has paid you.

10. Submitting Documents

By submitting documents to us in any form (fax, email, mail, etc.), you agree to these terms. All documents for a single service must be submitted at once in a single file (e.g., one PDF attachment) to prevent loss. It is your responsibility to provide complete and correct instructions and documents.

11. Limitation of Liability

Our liability will never exceed the cost of the service you ordered. We are not liable for indirect losses or for delays caused by events outside our reasonable control.

12. Mandatory Mediation and Arbitration

You agree to resolve any dispute with us relating to our services through mediation with ADR Chambers in Ontario before pursuing any other remedy, complaint, or public review. If mediation is unsuccessful within 30 days, the dispute will be resolved by binding arbitration at ADR Chambers in Ontario.

13. Customer Code of Conduct

We reserve the right to cancel any and all matters at any time if we feel a client is acting in an unprofessional manner towards our staff. You will be responsible for any costs incurred up to the point of cancellation.

Using our services means you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by all the terms mentioned above.