Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certified process server?

A certified process server is an individual licensed by the Florida Supreme Court under Florida Statute §48.021 to serve legal documents such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and court orders. All Lightning Legal servers hold active Florida certification with full bonding and insurance.

How quickly can you serve documents?

For standard service, we typically complete service within 1–3 business days. For rush and same-day orders, we dispatch within the hour and complete service the same day in most cases. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What counties do you cover?

We cover the entire South Florida tri-county area: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties — including all cities, municipalities, and unincorporated communities. Statewide coverage is available through our network partners.

What happens if the person cannot be located?

We make multiple service attempts at different times of day. If standard attempts fail, we offer skip tracing services to locate evasive parties. We also handle service by posting per Florida Statute §48.031(1)(b) when applicable, and can coordinate service by publication when required by court order.

How do I get proof of service?

Upon successful service, we prepare a notarized Affidavit of Service and deliver it to you electronically within 24 hours. The affidavit includes the server’s certification number, GPS-verified time and location of service, description of the person served, and the server’s sworn statement — fully compliant with Florida court requirements.

Do you serve documents in Spanish or Haitian Creole?

Yes. We have certified process servers fluent in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole available throughout the tri-county area. Service is valid in Florida regardless of the language spoken by the server — but we believe communication at the door improves outcomes.

Can you file documents at the courthouse for us?

Yes. We provide court filing services at Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county courthouses. We can file original documents, pick up conformed copies, and handle e-filing for qualifying matters. Same-day courthouse filing is available.

How do attorney accounts work?

Attorney accounts receive priority dispatch, a dedicated account manager, consolidated net-30 monthly invoicing, volume pricing discounts, and real-time status updates. Setting up an account takes less than 5 minutes — call us at 305-537-3225.

What is your pricing?

We offer flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees. Pricing varies by service type, location, and urgency. Contact us for a quote — we provide pricing immediately, before any commitment. Attorney accounts receive volume-based discounts.

Have a question not answered here? Call us at 305-537-3225 or send us a message.