Service areas · NH
Process Serving in New Hampshire
Order service of process in New Hampshire online. You see your price before you submit, a verified process server near the address takes the job, and every attempt is tracked with notes, time, GPS location and photos.
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Overview of service of process in New Hampshire
New Hampshire civil cases are heard in the Superior Court and Circuit Court divisions, including District, Family, and Probate. Service generally follows RSA chapter 510 and the applicable court’s civil rules; the Superior Court rules apply to civil cases there, while the Circuit Court has division-specific rules. For a Superior Court civil action, the summons states the court-ordered service deadline, and the summons and complaint must be served by that date. Service and response requirements can vary by court, case type, and order, so check the issued documents and the specific court before arranging service. (Superior Court Civil Rules, Rules 1 and 4; Circuit Court District Division Rules; RSA 510)
Court Runner USA connects you with process servers who serve papers across New Hampshire.
General information, not legal advice. Last checked October 2026.
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Who can serve documents in New Hampshire
Licensing or registration requirements
RSA 510 requires the person who serves process to record service details, but the statewide civil provisions reviewed do not state a general minimum age, nonparty, residency, licensing, or appointment qualification for private process servers. Do not assume that any particular person is eligible: check the case’s court rules, orders, and any statute that governs that kind of process. Some proceedings or procedures specifically direct service by a sheriff or deputy; for example, the Circuit Court rules provide for sheriff service in certain attachment procedures. (RSA 510:2-a; Circuit Court District Division Rules)
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Accepted methods of service
Personal, substituted, mail and other methods
For ordinary process, RSA 510:2 provides for delivery of an attested copy to the defendant or leaving it at the defendant’s abode. It does not make ordinary mail a general substitute for these methods. Statutes provide specific routes for some defendants and entities, including service on certain public bodies and corporations; RSA 510:4 provides a Secretary of State route for qualifying nonresident defendants, with follow-up notice by registered mail. A court may order notice when prescribed service cannot be made, and publication is available when ordered by a court—not as a do-it-yourself alternative. Follow the summons and any case-specific order. (RSA 510:2, :4, :8–:10, :14; Superior Court Civil Rule 4)
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Time limits and rules for serving
There is no single service deadline for every case: in a Superior Court civil action, serve the summons and complaint by the date stated on the summons. Proof of service must be filed within 21 days after that court-ordered deadline; failure to serve by the deadline can lead to dismissal. A defendant generally has 30 days from service to file an appearance and answer in Superior Court. Other divisions and case types may have different deadlines, so use the case documents and applicable rule. (Superior Court Civil Rules 4(c), 4(e); Circuit Court District Division Rules)
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Restrictions on serving
Sundays, holidays and hours
Use the method authorized for the particular case; do not treat mailing or publication as a substitute for personal or abode service unless a statute or court order authorizes it. RSA 510 includes specific procedures for public bodies, corporations, and certain nonresident defendants. The general rules and statutes reviewed here do not specify a general Sunday or holiday prohibition on serving civil process; confirm any case-specific or specialized rule with the issuing court. (RSA 510; Superior Court Civil Rule 4)
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Proof of service and affidavit requirements
RSA 510:2-a says the served writ or process must show the time, place, and manner of service, as well as specified attachment details. In Superior Court, file proof of service within 21 days after the service deadline shown on the summons. Keep a complete, accurate return or affidavit and follow any court-specific filing directions; the applicable court rule or order controls. (RSA 510:2-a; Superior Court Civil Rule 4(c))
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Major cities we serve in New Hampshire
- Manchester
- Nashua
- Concord
- Derry
- Dover
- Rochester
- Salem
- Londonderry
- Merrimack
- Hudson
- Keene
- Portsmouth
- Source: [U.S. Census Bureau city and town population estimates](https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html)
Pricing for New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, service is normally made by the sheriff or a court-appointed process server, so we get quotes from appointed servers. Each quote is one price before sales tax, and you choose before you pay.
- Standard serviceOne recipient at one address · from appointed servers
- Priced by quote in New Hampshire
- Sales taxCalculated at payment where it applies, from the service address in New Hampshire. Shown before you pay and on your receipt.
- At payment
New Hampshire FAQs
Can I serve my own papers?
The statewide civil sources reviewed do not expressly resolve whether a party may serve their own papers; check the applicable court rule and case order before doing so. (RSA 510)
Can a private adult serve papers?
The general civil statutes and rules cited here do not establish a universal age or nonparty test for a private server. Verify eligibility for the specific case with the issuing court. (RSA 510)
Can I serve papers by mail?
Mail is not the general method in RSA 510:2; mailing is authorized in particular procedures, including required follow-up notice for certain nonresident service. (RSA 510:2, :4)
How long do I have to serve a defendant?
For a Superior Court civil case, serve by the court-ordered deadline printed on the summons; other courts or case types may set different requirements. (Superior Court Civil Rule 4(c))
What proof of service should I file?
Record service details on the process as required by RSA 510:2-a and follow the court’s proof-filing directions; Superior Court requires filing proof within 21 days after the service deadline. (RSA 510:2-a; Superior Court Civil Rule 4(c))
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