Served.
Verified.
Documented.

In most Arizona civil matters, documents may be left with a person of suitable age and discretion who resides at the same address as the party being served. This is called substituted or abode service, and it is governed by Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 4.1(f).

The person accepting must actually live there — not a visitor, neighbor, or someone passing by. Arizona also requires a follow-up mailing after substituted service.

Exceptions: subpoenas, orders of protection, and injunctions against harassment must be served personally on the named individual. If a judge has ordered personal service, that order controls regardless of the general rule.

A subpoena compels a specific person to appear or produce documents, and failing to comply can carry consequences for that individual. Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 45 therefore requires the subpoena be delivered to the named person directly.

It cannot be left with a roommate, spouse, or co-worker, and it cannot be posted. If the person cannot be reached at the address provided, the usual next step is a skip trace to find a current address or workplace.

Eviction actions have their own rules. If the tenant does not answer, a process server may generally post a copy of the summons and complaint on the door and mail a copy, which satisfies the court in most forcible detainer matters.

This is one of the few situations where a defendant cannot simply avoid service by not answering. Timing requirements are strict, so give your server the court date when you submit the job.

It depends on the type of case. Arizona civil matters generally allow 90 days from filing under ARCP 4(i), but family law, eviction, and probate matters each have their own deadlines — and some court orders set a specific service deadline right on the face of the order.

Read your order carefully. Guardianship and other probate notices often require service a set number of days before the hearing, and missing that can mean the hearing gets continued.

When in doubt, check with the court clerk or your attorney before assuming you have time.

It happens often. Every attempt is GPS-verified and logged with a time, location, and description of what was observed — vehicles present, lights on, someone inside who would not answer.

That attempt record is what supports a motion for alternative service, which asks the judge to allow posting on the door, placing on a vehicle, mailing, or in some cases service by publication. You or your attorney file that motion; we supply the documentation.

More information, and it makes a measurable difference. The most useful things you can tell us:

A correct and complete address, including the unit number · a physical description or photo · work hours or the best time to find them · the vehicle they drive · who else lives at the address · a phone number if you have one.

That last one matters more than people expect — sometimes a phone call is what completes a serve that three trips to the door could not.

Every service level includes up to three GPS-verified attempts at one address, made at varied times of day. Three attempts is the complete contracted service.

If service is not completed, you receive the full attempt record with times, locations, and observations. From there the usual options are a skip trace for a better address, a motion for alternative service, or an appointment service at a known time.

Attempting at a different address is a separate service and includes its own three attempts.

Service on a corporation, LLC, or partnership is made by delivering documents to a partner, officer, managing or general agent, or the statutory registered agent authorized to receive service.

If an Arizona entity has no registered agent in the state, service may be made through the Arizona Corporation Commission. Registered agent information is publicly searchable on the Commission's website.

You receive an email update immediately after every attempt, successful or not, with the GPS-verified time and location.

Once service is complete, the original affidavit is filed with the Arizona court at no additional cost and a copy is emailed to you. For out-of-state cases the original is mailed to you and filing is your responsibility.

Bring your copy to the hearing.

Arizona permits service any day of the week, including Sunday, and at any hour. There is no rule against evening or weekend service, which is often when people are actually home.

The exception is tribal land, where service requires authorization from the tribal authority. We do not currently serve on reservations.