What is a Process Server?

     The title “Process Server” is one that those in the legal field are familiar with, and those outside of the legal field probably have little to no understanding of. There are a lot of misconceptions about what process serving is and what is needed of process servers on a day-to-day basis. 
   
      All citizens of the United States hold the right to be informed of being summoned, these legal guidelines are specified in the fifth and sixth amendments of the Constitution.     Process servers were intended as a messenger system to notify individuals of their constitutional right to due process of law by “serving” them with a notification that states the legal issue that involves them specifically.
    Originally, legal papers were typically served to individuals by their local county sheriff. As cities grew and expanded in the United States it turned out to be a overwhelming endeavor and challenge for local sheriffs to attempt service of court papers/documents while attending to other legal challenges in their jurisdiction. There was a desire for an individual to deliver these papers legally and in a timely manner; for that reason, process servers were formed.
     Today, in the State of California, Process Server's are required to be licensed and bonded within the County of their main office. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Effective July 1, 2005; and 
  
• MUST have a bond in the amount of $2,000.00. The bond must have a term beginning date, and must either show the expiration date of the bond or show the term of the bond is 2 years. The bond must be bound to the County of Riverside.