How do you Serve Process on Corporations?

Who Should be Served?

In Florida, statue 48.081 outlines the order of individuals that someone seeking to sue a corporation must follow to correctly serve process. Preferably, the president, vice president or other head of the corporation should be the first individuals sought to serve. If neither of those individuals are accessible, then the cashier, treasurer, secretary or general manager is the next tier to accept service. In the event none of the previously mentioned individuals are available to accept service, service may be on any director or agent residing in the state.

How do you find a Corporation’s Agent?

Typically, a corporation is required to register with the state of in which it resides. When it registers, it must designate an agent. This information can be found through the state’s secretary of state website. In Florida, this information can be easily accessible on SunBiz.

Can you Serve a Corporation by Mail?

Service of process in Florida can be made in person as well as by mail. To serve a corporation in person, the plaintiff should coordinate with the sheriff of the county in which the person to be served on behalf of the corporation is located. If the plaintiff is unsuccessful in serving the corporation by mail, the Florida Division of Corporations accepts substitute service of process. The plaintiff must provide the original and a copy of the court-issued summons, two copies of the complaint, a cover letter indicating why the division can accept service, and proof of attempted service. However, the Division of Corporations will not notify the designated individual of the corporation. Instead, the plaintiff’s attorney must notify the defendant that service has been made on the Division of Corporations.

EPGD Business Law is located in beautiful Coral Gables. Call us at (786) 837-6787, or contact us through the website to schedule a consultation.

*Disclaimer: this blog post is not intended to be legal advice. We highly recommend speaking to an attorney if you have any legal concerns. Contacting us through our website does not establish an attorney-client relationship.*

Share this post

Oscar Gomez

Oscar A. Gomez is a Partner and Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at EPGD Business Law. His practice focuses on Business Litigation, including but not limited to Business & Partnership Disputes.

Discussion

*The following comments are not intended to be treated as legal advice. The answer to your question is limited to the basic facts presented. Additional details may heavily alter our assessment and change the answer provided. For a more thorough review of your question please contact our office for a consultation.
Search

Categories

Categories
FREE DOWNLOAD

The Entrepreneurs Handbook

This is a quick legal reference guide covering 16 topics that every business owner needs to have to start a business

FREE DOWNLOAD

The Entrepreneur's Handbook

This is a quick legal reference guide covering 16 topics that every business owner needs to have to start a business.

DESARGA GRATUITA

El Manual del Empresarios

Esta es una guía rápida de referencia jurídica que cubre 16 temas que cada empresario necesita saber para empezar un negocio.