New Hampshire Process Servers

New Hampshire handles service differently from most states. For an in-state civil summons, the Superior Court's instructions send plaintiffs to the county sheriff's office where the defendant lives, and sheriffs and their deputies serve civil writs (RSA 104:5). There's no license for private process servers.

So when do you hire a private New Hampshire process server? Mostly for these jobs:

• Cases filed in other states where the defendant lives or works in New Hampshire. The rules of the state where the case is filed decide who may serve, and many allow any adult non-party.
• Witness summonses. A New Hampshire witness summons is served by reading it to the witness or handing them an attested copy, along with travel and one day's attendance fees. The statute doesn't limit who may serve it (RSA 516:5). Witnesses summoned from another state are paid double fees (RSA 516:14).
• Skip tracing, stakeouts and repeat attempts on defendants who are hard to find, to locate them before papers go out.

Before taking an in-state civil summons, check with the court or the attorney on whether a sheriff must serve it.

Abode service in New Hampshire

Leaving an attested copy at the defendant's abode counts as service (RSA 510:2). Unlike many states, the statute doesn't say it has to be left with a particular person.

Nonresidents

A nonresident who does business, commits a tort, or owns or uses property in New Hampshire can be served by leaving a copy with the Secretary of State with a $10 fee, followed by notice to the defendant by registered mail (RSA 510:4). That route is optional.

Deadlines that matter

The court sets a service deadline on each summons. The return of service must be filed within 21 days after that date, or the case can be dismissed. The defendant then has 30 days after service to file an appearance and answer (Superior Court Rule 4).

Serving businesses

Corporations can be served through the clerk, treasurer, a director or the registered agent (RSA 510:14; RSA 293-A:5.04). LLCs are served through an officer, or if there is none, any two members (RSA 510:13). Check the registered agent in the New Hampshire Secretary of State business search.

The full rules are on our New Hampshire process serving laws page. See also courts in New Hampshire, or order service online.

This is a general summary, not legal advice.