Process Serving in Massachusetts

Massachusetts civil actions are heard in Trial Court departments including the Superior Court, the District Court, the Boston Municipal Court, and the Probate and Family Court; the right department depends on the case. The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction and hears civil actions over $50,000 and matters seeking equitable relief.

For ordinary civil process, Massachusetts Rule 4 names sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, special sheriffs, persons authorized by law, and persons specially appointed by the court as servers. Court Runner USA connects you with process servers who serve papers across Massachusetts.

General information, not legal advice. Last checked October 2026.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4 — Process
• Massachusetts Superior Court
• Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
• Boston Municipal Court

Massachusetts Rule 4(c) allows service of process by a sheriff, a deputy sheriff, or a special sheriff; by any other person duly authorized by law; or by a person specially appointed by the court for that purpose.

Subpoenas follow a different standard: Rule 45 allows a subpoena to be served by any person who is not a party and is at least 18 years old.

Check any statute that applies to the particular case, and any appointment order, before service.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(c)
• Mass. R. Civ. P. 45 — Subpoena

For an individual, Rule 4(d)(1) permits delivering the summons and complaint personally, leaving them at the person’s last and usual place of abode, or delivering them to an agent authorized by appointment or by statute, with any further notice the statute requires.

For domestic corporations and qualifying foreign corporations or associations, Rule 4(d)(2) provides for service on an officer, a managing or general agent, the person in charge of business at the principal place of business in Massachusetts, or another agent authorized by law. The rule has specific methods for the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, and certain authorities.

Where ordinary service cannot be made after diligent search, a party may apply for an order of notice in the manner prescribed by law. Service outside the state is available when a statute authorizes it, using the in-state methods, local law, mail with a signed receipt, letters rogatory, or a court order. Subpoenas are served under Rule 45.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(c)–(e)
• Mass. R. Civ. P. 45

Rule 4(j) generally requires service of the summons and complaint within 90 days after the complaint is filed. If service is not made in that time and the party cannot show good cause, the action is dismissed without prejudice as to that defendant.

Rule 12(a) generally gives a party 20 days after service of a pleading that requires a response to serve the responsive pleading, unless the court directs otherwise. Rule 4(f) requires proof of service to be made promptly and, in any event, within the time the person served must respond.

Special statutes, other court rules, or an order may set different requirements. Rule 6 governs how time is computed, including when a deadline ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(f), (j)
• Mass. R. Civ. P. 12(a)
• Mass. R. Civ. P. 6 — Time

Rule 4 limits ordinary service of process to the categories of servers it authorizes, and the summons and complaint must be served together. Statutes may add requirements for service on particular defendants or in particular courts.

Rule 4(d)(1) permits delivery at an individual’s last and usual place of abode; service on an agent must satisfy any additional notice the governing statute requires. The rule also names specific recipients for public entities and business organizations.

Rule 6 sets how deadlines are counted when the last day falls on a Sunday or legal holiday. Confirm any restriction specific to the case, or any statutory requirement, before arranging service.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4
• Mass. R. Civ. P. 6

Rule 4(f) requires the person serving process to make written proof of service to the court promptly, and no later than the time the person served must respond. A server who is not a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or special sheriff must make an affidavit of service.

When service is made by mail, proof must include a receipt signed by the addressee or other evidence of personal delivery that satisfies the court. The court may allow process or proof of service to be amended unless it clearly appears that material prejudice would result to the substantial rights of the party against whom process issued.

Failure to make proof does not affect the validity of service, but the rule still requires prompt proof filed with the court. Some statutes require particular return details for specific methods or actions.

Sources:

• Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(f)–(g)