“Service” is the technical name for the other party receiving the documents that you filed. Arizona courts require the petitioner to show proof that the other person was served. In today’s legal world, service does not have to be done with a process server. Instead, you can simply mail the documents to the other party, if applicable, and if you follow the steps outlined below.
The Other Party Lives In or Out of the State of Arizona and You Know Where He or She Lives or Works
Most likely, the other party also lives in Arizona. If this is the case, you can serve the other party as outlined below. The service methods are listed here from least to most expensive.
Option 1: Hand-delivery and an Acceptance of Service Form
If the other party is amicable, hand-delivery is a good option. This means that you can give the other party all the documents. At the same time, you give the other party the papers, you should also give them an Acceptance of Service form to fill out. This form must be signed by the receiving party either in front of a notary or the court clerk. If the receiving party signs the documents in front of a notary, you should file their notarized acceptance of service with the court after making a copy for your records.
If your client is a victim of domestic violence or believes his/her children are in danger or believe that the other party will have a volatile reaction to being served divorce papers, we do not recommend you use this method of service. Other methods are available, and it is best to err on the side of being safe.
Option 2: Mail or Other Delivery Service Requiring Signature Confirmation
This option requires that you send all of the documents using certified mail, restricted delivery. The “restricted delivery” entails a minor fee, but ensures that the deliverer confirms that he or she is delivering personally to the other party. When you receive this green card back in the mail, you will file this with your mailing receipt after making a copy of it for your records.
Option 3: Service by a Registered Process Server
When people think of service, they generally think of a process server doing the job. With this method, you hire a process server to physically deliver those documents to the other party. You will need to give the process server specific information as to where he or she can find the other party. Process servers generally charge for the number of attempts it takes to find the other party. It is best to be as specific as possible and provide the process server a picture, so that he or she can identify the other party. After the process server serves the documents on the other party, the process server will file an affidavit of service with the court.
Option 4: Service by the Sheriff
This is usually not the most efficient way to serve the other party. First, a deposit of $200.00 is required for this method. You may ask the Sheriff’s Office for a deferral or waiver of these fees. To ask the Sheriff’s Office to serve your documents, you will need to fill out two (2) forms. (Both forms are on the Maricopa Superior Court website). If you are in Maricopa County and want to serve the papers in Maricopa County, you can bring the documents to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Civil Unit, 201 West Jefferson Street, First Floor, Central Court Building, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. Their telephone number is (602) 876-1840.[3]
What if I have No Idea Where the Other Party Lives?
[3] Cynthia L. Best and Tali E. Collins, The Divorce Coach: Your Guide to Arizona Divorce. 144-148. 2nd ed. 2015.
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