Business Guide

Starting a process serving business in Georgia begins with obtaining your certification. Once certified, you'll need to establish your business entity, obtain any required local business licenses, and set up basic business infrastructure including a dedicated phone line, professional email, and reliable transportation.

Your primary clients will be law firms, attorneys, and legal departments. Start by introducing yourself to local law firms and offering competitive rates. Join professional associations like NAPPS (National Association of Professional Process Servers) for networking opportunities. Court clerks and paralegals are also excellent referral sources.

Research local market rates in your area of Georgia. Most process servers charge a base fee per service attempt plus mileage. Rush services, skip tracing, and after-hours service typically command premium rates. Be transparent about your pricing — this builds trust with clients.

Build a professional website showcasing your certification and service area. Create business cards and leave them at law offices. Register with online directories for process servers. Maintain a Google Business profile. Word-of-mouth referrals will become your best marketing tool once you build a reputation for reliable service.

As your business grows, consider hiring additional certified servers to expand your coverage area. Invest in process serving software to manage assignments, track attempts, and generate professional affidavits. Build relationships with national service companies that subcontract local serves.

Essential tools include a smartphone with GPS for documenting service locations, a reliable vehicle, professional attire, and process serving management software. Familiarize yourself with e-filing systems used in Georgia courts: Odyssey, PeachCourt, nCourt, and Iron Data.