Court filing and process serving are separate administrative steps. A document can sometimes need to be issued or filed before service, and proof of service can sometimes need to be filed afterward. The required order depends on the proceeding and document.
Process serving
Process serving involves attending an address and delivering or serving documents in accordance with the client’s instructions and applicable requirements. The server records attempts and the factual circumstances of any completed service.
In-person court filing support
Court filing support involves attending the courthouse identified by the client to present documents for filing when in-person filing is available and feasible. Court staff—not File & Serve—decide whether documents are accepted.
File & Serve does not offer e-filing
The supplied File & Serve service terms describe in-person filing support and state that e-filing is not offered. Clients remain responsible for selecting the correct filing method.
Different information is needed
A service request needs recipient and address information. A filing request needs the correct court location, file information, documents, copies, fees or payment instructions, and any client-specified return requirements.
Neither service is legal advice
File & Serve cannot tell a client whether to file first, who must be served, which method is legally permitted, or what deadline applies.
This article is general administrative information. It does not replace the rules of the applicable court or tribunal and is not legal advice.