Question 1

What is process serving?

Accepted Answer

Process: A legal action taken in a court of competent jurisdiction to formally exercise its authority. Service: The personal delivery of legal documents (such as an originating process) to an individual, business, or entity. This delivery is typically verified by an Affidavit of Service. General Overview: Legal documents issued by a court or lawyer must be officially delivered to the intended recipient and verified as received. This process is governed by strict procedural rules depending on the court or tribunal involved. Personal service is commonly required to prove the individual directly received the documents. Process Server: A person over the age of 18 authorized to serve legal documents on behalf of a lawyer, individual, or organization.

Question 2

What is the standard timeline for process serving?

Accepted Answer

Standard service is typically completed within 2–3 business days. Rush service (within 90 minutes in your city) is available for an additional $60 surcharge. Same-day courier delivery is guaranteed within 4 hours of your call Monday–Friday 9am–5pm.

Question 3

Where do I get divorce papers in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

In Ontario, divorce papers (a Divorce Application) are issued at the Superior Court of Justice in your jurisdiction. You can pick up or download the forms at the courthouse or online through the Ontario Court Forms website. Once issued, the documents must be personally served on the other party by a third party — you cannot serve them yourself. Ontario Court Servers handles divorce paper service across Ontario starting at $99. Contact us to arrange service.

Question 4

What does a court server do?

Accepted Answer

A court server (also called a process server) is a person authorized to officially deliver legal documents — such as statements of claim, subpoenas, divorce papers, and notices of motion — to the named parties in a legal proceeding. The court server then swears an Affidavit of Service confirming delivery, which is filed with the court. Proper service is a legal requirement; without it, a case can be dismissed. Ontario Court Servers provides professional court server services across Ontario and Canada.

Question 5

Can you serve a subpoena or summons in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We serve subpoenas and summonses throughout Ontario. A subpoena compels a witness to appear in court or produce documents; a summons notifies a defendant of a legal claim against them. Both require personal service with a sworn Affidavit of Service. Contact us to arrange service province-wide.

Question 6

Can you serve an eviction notice in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We serve Landlord and Tenant Board forms including N4 (Non-Payment of Rent), N5, N8, and other eviction notices across Ontario. Proper service of an eviction notice is required before the LTB will schedule a hearing. We provide a sworn Affidavit of Service for your records. Service starts at $99.

Question 7

How do I serve a statement of claim in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

In Ontario, a Statement of Claim must be personally served on the defendant within 6 months of issuance (Superior Court of Justice rules). You cannot serve the documents yourself if you are a party to the claim. Ontario Court Servers handles Statement of Claim service across Ontario — we deliver the documents and provide a sworn Affidavit of Service to file with the court. Contact us to get started.

Question 8

Can you serve small claims court documents in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We serve all Small Claims Court documents including Plaintiff's Claims, Defendant's Claims, Notices of Motion, and Offers to Settle across Ontario. Small Claims Court requires personal service for originating documents. We provide a completed Certificate of Service for your court file.

Question 9

What is an affidavit of service?

Accepted Answer

An Affidavit of Service (also called a Certificate of Service) is a sworn legal document signed by the process server confirming that documents were delivered to a specific person at a specific time and location. Courts require it as proof that the opposing party received proper notice. Ontario Court Servers provides a sworn Affidavit of Service at no additional charge with every completed service.

Question 10

What is substituted service in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Substituted service is a court-approved alternative when a party cannot be found for personal service. A judge may authorize service by mail, posting documents at the last known address, or serving a known associate. Ontario Court Servers documents all attempted services thoroughly to support a substituted service motion. We also offer skip tracing to locate evasive individuals before pursuing substituted service.

Question 11

Do you offer same-day process serving in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rush service is available within 90 minutes in your city for an additional $60 surcharge. Same-day courier delivery is guaranteed within 4 hours of your call Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. For urgent legal matters, call us directly at (519) 496-8277.

Question 12

Do you work with law firms across Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes — over 500 law firms, paralegals, and legal professionals across Ontario trust Ontario Court Servers for process serving, court filing, and skip tracing. We offer priority turnaround for legal professionals, volume discounts, and detailed reporting for your file. Contact us to set up a law firm account.

Question 13

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept credit cards, e-transfers, and cheques. Payment is required before service is performed.

Question 14

What happens if the recipient refuses to accept documents?

Accepted Answer

We document all attempts and can provide an affidavit of service even if the recipient refuses to accept the documents.

Question 15

Do you provide affidavits of service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide a sworn affidavit of service for all completed services at no additional charge.

Question 16

What information do you need to start a service?

Accepted Answer

We require the documents to be served, the recipient's name and last known address, and any special instructions.

Process Serving Rates & Fees in Ontario

Kitchener-Waterloo Rates

Ontario & Canada Serving Rates

Court Filing & Searches

Skip Tracing & Locates

Additional Fees (Upon Request)

Process Serving FAQs — Common Questions Answered