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service of process


What is Service of Process? Service of Process is a legal phrase. It refers to delivery of certain kinds of legal documents, usually related to litigation.

There are laws that say how service of process has to be done in order for it to be legally effective. The rules may be different for service on an individual, a business, or a government agency. The North Carolina rules are found in Chapters 1 and 1A of the North Carolina General Statutes.

For service of process on a business entity

Sometimes there is an attempt to serve a business entity and service of process does not succeed. North Carolina laws set out alternative methods for service of process, if it does not succeed. For certain business entities, if a North Carolina law specifically authorizes it, our Service of Process agent accepts service of process on business entities registered in our records. This is sometimes referred to as “substitute service of process”. Please be aware: We cannot give you legal advice about service of process. Click here for more information.

Agents for Service of Process for State Agencies

As required by G.S. § 1A-1, Rule 4(j)(4), the Attorney General’s Office maintains a register of State agencies’ process agents. You can view it here.

For service of process on the Department pursuant to G.S. § 1A-1, Rule 4(j)(4):

Ann Wall, General Counsel
NC Department of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 29622
Raleigh, NC 27626-0622
By courier or other delivery service: 2 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601.

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