Process serving FAQs

A process server delivers legal documents to the person or company named in them, in the way the court's rules require, and then swears an affidavit of service saying when, where and how it was done. The affidavit is your proof to the court that the other side has received the documents.

Personal service in metropolitan Melbourne is usually $280 to $380 + GST, including up to three attempts and a sworn affidavit. Regional Victoria is $450 to $1,100+ depending on distance, interstate is $440 to $550, and international service starts from $880. Urgent or same-day service adds $140 to $320. You always get a fixed price before we start.

Standard jobs are usually attempted within one to two business days of receiving the documents. Urgent and same-day service is available across Melbourne when there's a tight hearing date or a deadline.

Yes. Many people are only home early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends, so we schedule attempts at the times you're most likely to find them.

We vary attempt times, use workplace and vehicle details you give us, and record each attempt. If personal service can't be achieved, we provide affidavits of attempted service that support an application to the court for substituted service.

Not if you're the applicant in a sole divorce application. Someone else over 18 has to serve them, or the other party can sign an Acknowledgement of Service if served by post. A professional process server is the safest option when the other party may not cooperate.

Yes. We serve anywhere in Victoria ourselves and arrange service in every other state and territory through licensed agents. For overseas service we work with agents abroad or explain when the Hague Service Convention route is needed.

A sworn affidavit of service (or of attempted service) ready to file, plus email updates after each attempt so you always know where the job is up to.

Specialty Process Servers is operated by Specialty Security Service Pty Ltd, which holds a Victorian private security business licence and is a member of ASIAL, the Australian Security Industry Association. We're fully insured.

Law firms, barristers, self-represented people in family and civil matters, debt recovery and insolvency businesses, real estate agents and landlords, and government bodies.