Why Servers Decline Pro Se Clients

When you're representing yourself in a legal case (known as proceeding pro se) one challenge you may encounter is hiring a process server. Many process servers will hesitate or outright refuse to accept jobs from pro se individuals. Why?

• Attorneys typically know exactly which documents need serving and how service must be executed—what’s required by statute, court rules, and jurisdiction.
• Pro se clients may not be familiar with these nuances, increasing the risk of faulty service which could lead to delays or case dismissal.
• Process servers require complete, correct paperwork to proceed. Missing signatures, incorrect formatting, or unclear instructions from pro se clients can result in liability issues.
• Pro se litigants might submit documents that haven't been properly filed with the court, making servers legally vulnerable.
• If service is performed improperly, the process server could be pulled into legal complications. Working with attorneys minimizes this risk because the responsibility for accurate procedure generally falls on licensed counsel.
• Many process servers are small operations and must manage time and legal exposure carefully.
• They may choose to decline pro se clients to avoid miscommunication, payment delays, or disputes that can arise without the buffer of legal representation.