Rules of civil procedure and service of process requirements for Arizona.
Last updated October 22, 2026
Arizona's rules for serving a summons and complaint are in the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, mainly Rules 4, 4.1 and 4.2. Subpoenas are covered by Rule 45.
Private process servers must be certified by the Arizona Supreme Court under the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA), § 7-204.
Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure and the Arizona Judicial Branch certification rules, or ask an attorney before relying on it.
Arizona process servers
Arizona certifies private process servers through the Supreme Court's Administrative Office of the Courts. You apply through the clerk of the superior court in the county where you live. Non-residents can apply in any county. The requirements are in ACJA § 7-204:
A certified server can serve process in any Arizona state court. The county clerk keeps a register of certified servers and issues your ID card. You must report contact changes to the clerk within 30 days.
As of an October 2025 amendment (Administrative Order 2025-186), the certification exam can be taken online with remote proctoring through the AOC's certification and licensing division, instead of only through the county clerk.
A specially appointed server must be at least 21 and can't be a party, an attorney or an attorney's employee in the case. Special appointments are only good for the case named in the motion (Rule 4(d)).
For a step-by-step guide, see Become a Process Server in Arizona.
Process-serving software: ServeManager
ServeManager is process-serving software used by agencies across Arizona. It tracks every attempt with date, time, GPS and photos, and generates affidavits of service from the job.
The summons and complaint must be served together. Service is complete when made (Rule 4.1(b)).
The server hands the summons and complaint to the person being served, or to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to accept service for them.
The server can leave the papers at the person's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there.
The plaintiff can mail a written request asking the defendant to waive formal service. The defendant gets at least 30 days to return it. A defendant who returns the waiver has 60 days from when the request was sent to respond. A defendant who refuses without good cause can be ordered to pay the cost of formal service.
If the usual methods are impracticable, the court can allow another method on motion. The serving party must make a reasonable effort to give actual notice, and must mail the summons, complaint and court order to the person's last known home or business address. The court decides which method to allow.
The court can order publication if other methods are impracticable. The motion and affidavit must show that diligent efforts to find the person's address failed, or that they're avoiding service, and that publication is the best notice available. The summons runs once a week for 4 weeks in a newspaper in the county where the case is filed, and in the county of the last known address if different. Service is complete 30 days after the first publication. See What is service by publication?
A person in another state can be served by the same methods used in Arizona, by a server authorized to serve under that state's law (Rule 4.2(b)). If the address is known, the papers can also be sent by any mail that requires a signed return receipt. The server then files an affidavit with the signed receipt attached (Rule 4.2(c)). Service outside the U.S. is covered by later parts of Rule 4.2 and the Hague Service Convention where it applies.
Under Rule 45(d), any non-party who is at least 18 can serve a subpoena, so certification isn't needed for subpoenas. The server delivers a copy to the person and, if attendance is required, tenders one day's witness fee and mileage. Fees don't have to be tendered for a party ordered to a trial or hearing, or for a subpoena issued for the State. A subpoena can be served anywhere in Arizona.
For a pretrial subpoena for documents or inspection, the other parties must get notice and a copy at least 2 days before it's served. Proof is a certificate from the server stating the date and manner of service and the names of the people served.
Return of service should be made by the time the served party must respond (Rule 4(g)). A sheriff marks the return on or attaches it to the proof of service. Any other server files the return with an affidavit of service. A failure to file proof doesn't make the service invalid.
Find certified process servers and agencies across the state in the Arizona process server directory.
This page is a general overview of Arizona law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current rules or talk to an attorney about your case.
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