Connecticut Rules of Civil Procedure

Connecticut's rules for serving civil process are in the Connecticut General Statutes, mainly Chapter 896 (sections 52-45a to 52-69). Who may serve is set by CGS § 52-50, and state marshals are governed by Chapter 78 (sections 6-38 and following). Court procedure, including appearance and pleading deadlines, is in the Connecticut Practice Book.

Connecticut works differently from most states. Civil process is served by state marshals, not private process servers. Recent laws, including Public Act 25-78 (effective October 1, 2025), changed how process is signed and delivered to marshals.

Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current statutes on the Connecticut General Assembly site, including the 2026 Supplement, or ask an attorney before relying on it.

Connecticut process servers

• Become a process server in Connecticut
• Hire a process server in Connecticut

Quick facts: process serving in Connecticut

• Who can serve: A state marshal, constable or other proper officer authorized by statute. An "indifferent person" (a private, non-party adult) may serve a summons only when a statute allows it (CGS § 52-50).
• Licensing: Connecticut doesn't license private process servers. State marshals are appointed and overseen by the State Marshal Commission (CGS §§ 6-38a, 6-38b). Serving process without authority is a class A misdemeanor (CGS § 52-50(b)).
• Deadline to serve: At least 12 days before the return day in Superior Court (CGS § 52-46). The return day must be no more than two months after the date of the process (CGS § 52-48).
• Substituted service: Leaving a true and attested copy at the person's usual place of abode (CGS § 52-57(a)).
• Proof of service: The officer's return, filed with the court at least 6 days before the return day (CGS § 52-46a).
• Time to respond: File an appearance by the second day after the return day (Practice Book § 3-2). Pleadings must move forward within 30 days of the return day (Practice Book § 10-8).

Process-serving software: ServeManager

ServeManager is process-serving software used by agencies across Connecticut. It tracks every attempt with date, time, GPS and photos, and generates affidavits of service from the job.

Register for ServeManager

Do you need a license to serve process in Connecticut?

There's no private process server license in Connecticut, but that doesn't mean anyone can serve a summons. Under CGS § 52-50, process must be directed to a state marshal, constable or other proper officer. Since Public Act 23-23, process can be directed to an indifferent person only when a statute authorizes it. Anyone who serves process knowing they aren't authorized commits a class A misdemeanor.

State marshals are sworn officers appointed by county. The State Marshal Commission, part of the Department of Administrative Services, sets their training and standards. Marshals may not let someone else serve process in their place or knowingly make a false return (CGS § 6-38d, as amended by Public Act 26-80, effective October 1, 2026). A list of state marshals is available from the State Marshal Commission and from any court clerk's office (Judicial Branch FAQ).

Private process servers still have a role. Subpoenas can be served by an indifferent person (see below), and a Connecticut summons served in another state can be served by anyone authorized to serve process there.

For how to become a state marshal, see Become a Process Server in Connecticut.

Recent changes: Public Act 25-78

Public Act 25-78 took effect on October 1, 2025. For anyone sending work to a marshal:

• Ink signatures. A writ of summons must be personally signed in ink by a commissioner of the Superior Court, or signed by hand by a judge, clerk or authorized court employee (CGS § 52-45a).
• Paper or electronic delivery to the marshal. Attorneys and public agencies may deliver paper process or, on a "special occasion" and with the marshal's permission, send it electronically. Self-represented parties generally must deliver paper originals (CGS §§ 52-50(f), 52-50a).
• Electronic transmission limits. One PDF per process, up to 50 pages per matter and five processes a week unless the marshal agrees otherwise. The marshal may reject it within two business days and charges $50 per matter plus $1 per printed page. Process must be delivered on paper if the statute of limitations runs out within 60 days.
• LLC service. New rules for serving limited liability companies through managers, members and mail (see below).

How to serve a summons in Connecticut

Personal service: CGS §§ 52-54, 52-57(a)

The officer serves the writ by reading it and the complaint in the defendant's hearing, or by leaving a true and attested copy with the defendant (CGS § 52-54).

Abode service: CGS §§ 52-54, 52-57(a)

The officer can leave a true and attested copy, including the complaint, at the defendant's usual place of abode in Connecticut. The officer must note in the return the address where the copy was left.

Service outside Connecticut: CGS § 52-57a

A person domiciled in Connecticut, or subject to its courts' jurisdiction, can be served outside the state in the same manner as service inside it. The server can be anyone authorized to serve process in the place where service is made, or an attorney there (CGS § 52-57a).

Service on nonresidents through the Secretary of the State: CGS § 52-59b

A nonresident individual, foreign partnership or foreign voluntary association subject to Connecticut jurisdiction is treated as having appointed the Secretary of the State as its agent. The officer leaves an attested copy with the Secretary at least 12 days before the return day, pays a $50 fee, and mails a copy by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the defendant's last-known address (CGS § 52-59b(c)).

Service outside the United States: CGS § 52-59d

Process can't be served abroad in violation of a treaty such as the Hague Service Convention. If treaty service can't be made within 60 days, the Superior Court can order another method reasonably calculated to give notice (CGS § 52-59d).

Order of notice: CGS § 52-68

When the defendant lives out of state, or their name or residence is unknown, the court or its clerk can order reasonable notice. Notice given under the order and proved by the officer's affidavit is enough for the court to proceed (CGS § 52-68).

Serving businesses and other entities

• Corporations (CGS § 52-57(c)): Serve the president, vice president, assistant vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, cashier, teller, general or managing agent, manager, a director who lives in Connecticut, or the person in charge of the business or of the office in the town where its principal office is located. A foreign corporation can also be served through its appointed agent.
• LLCs (CGS § 34-243r): Serve the registered agent (at their Connecticut abode if the agent is an individual), or a manager or member at their Connecticut abode. If there's no registered agent, or the agent can't be served with reasonable diligence, service can be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the principal office or mailing address on the latest annual report. That service is effective on receipt, on the date on the signed receipt, or five days after mailing, whichever comes first (CGS § 34-243r).
• Partnerships (CGS § 52-57(d)): Serve any partner in Connecticut. If no partner lives in the state, serve the Secretary of the State, then mail the writ and complaint by registered or certified mail to each partner not personally served before the return date.
• Towns, cities and other municipalities (CGS § 52-57(b)): Serve the clerk or an assistant or deputy clerk, or officials such as the town manager, a selectman or the mayor. Public Act 25-78 added deputy and assistant clerks to the list.

Registered agents and annual report addresses are listed in the Connecticut business records search.

Serving a subpoena in Connecticut

A subpoena is signed by the court clerk or a commissioner of the Superior Court and can be served by an officer or an indifferent person (CGS § 52-143(a)). It must be served at least 18 hours before the time the witness must appear, unless the court orders otherwise.

To enforce the subpoena against a witness who doesn't show up, the witness must have been tendered one day's attendance fee and travel fees when served (CGS § 52-143(e)).

Proof of service

The officer makes a return on the process describing how it was served. For abode service, the return must state the address where the copy was left (CGS § 52-54). Process returnable to the Superior Court must be returned to the clerk at least 6 days before the return day (CGS § 52-46a).

When a Connecticut summons is served in another state, proof is made by the person who served it there, following the requirements of the court where the case is filed.

Hire a Connecticut process server

For subpoenas and for serving Connecticut papers in other states, find a process server in Connecticut.

More Connecticut resources

• Become a Process Server in Connecticut
• Courts in Connecticut
• Chapter 896: Civil Process, Service and Time for Return (Connecticut General Assembly)
• Connecticut Practice Book (Connecticut Judicial Branch)
• State Marshal Commission (Department of Administrative Services)

This page is a general overview of Connecticut law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current statutes or talk to an attorney about your case.