How to Complete a Certificate of Service
Courts want to see who served the papers, how it was done, and which documents went out.
Published January 22, 2025
Whether you are serving discovery, a motion, or a subpoena, the court clerk will look for a certificate of service before accepting your filing. This guide shows how to gather the necessary details and assemble them with ProofOfServicePDF.
When to use this
- You mailed or hand-delivered documents and must file the proof of service the same day.
- A self-represented litigant needs a fast way to document personal service without hiring a process server.
- You want an electronic record you can attach to future filings or motions.
How to do it (fast)
- Capture the case caption and case number from the pleading so the proof of service matches the filing.
- Collect service details from the server: the exact date, time, location, and method.
- List every document title that was served, add optional notes, and export the PDF for signature and filing.
Why this helps
- The structured form ensures no required field is overlooked, reducing rejection risk.
- You can save a copy with your records, making it easy to reference or amend the proof later.
- ProofOfServicePDF runs in the browser and never uploads service details, protecting privacy.
Related tools
Not legal advice. Courts set their own rules. Keep your original records.