You’ve gotta love Colorado.
Not only do we have zero licensing requirements for process servers, we’re also the only U.S. state that doesn’t regulate funeral directors.
There’s an independent spirit here. We like to do things are own way.
So when people ask me how to become a process server in Colorado, my answer is simple: Just hang up your shingle and get to work.
Order some business cards, build a website, and start hustling.
There’s no government-imposed barrier of entry.
How to Become a Process Server in Colorado: Rules of Civil Procedure
For the exact requirements for service of process in Colorado, it’s best to go straight to the source: Chapter 1, Rule 4 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure:
By Whom Served.
Process may be served inside or outside this state by the sheriff of the county where the service is made, or by a deputy, or by any other person over the age of eighteen years, not a party to the action;
Personal Service.
Personal service shall be as follows:
- Upon a natural person over the age of eighteen years by delivering a copy or copies thereof to the person, or by leaving a copy or copies thereof at the person’s usual place of abode, with any person over the age of eighteen years who is a member of the person’s family, or at the person’s usual place of business, with the person’s secretary, bookkeeper, manager, or chief clerk; or by delivering a copy to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process;
- Upon a natural person, between the ages of thirteen years and eighteen years, by delivering a copy thereof to the person and another copy thereof to the person’s father, mother, or guardian, or if there be none in the state, then by delivering a copy thereof to any person in whose care or control the person may be; or with whom the person resides, or in whose service the person is employed; and upon a natural person under the age of thirteen years by delivering a copy to the person’s father, mother, or guardian, or if there be none in the state, then by delivering a copy thereof to the person in whose care or control the person may be.
- Upon a person for whom a conservator has been appointed, by delivering a copy thereof to such conservator;
- Upon a partnership, or other unincorporated association, by delivering a copy thereof to one or more of the partners or associates, or a managing or general agent thereof;
- Upon a private corporation, by delivering a copy thereof to any officer, manager, general agent, or registered agent. If no such officer or agent can be found in the county in which the action is brought, such copy may be delivered to any stockholder, agent, member, or principal employee found in such county. If such service is upon a person other than an executive officer, the secretary, general agent, or registered agent, then the clerk shall mail a copy thereof to the corporation at its last known address, at least twenty days before default is entered;
- Upon a municipal corporation, by delivering a copy thereof to the mayor, city manager, clerk, or deputy clerk of such corporation;
- Upon a county, by delivering a copy thereof to the county clerk, chief deputy, county commissioner, or designee authorized to accept service of process;
- Upon a school district, by delivering a copy thereof to the superintendent or to any other employee authorized to accept service of process;
- Upon the state by delivering a copy thereof to the attorney general, or to any employee in his office designated by him to accept service of process;
- Upon an officer, agent, or employee of the state, acting in his official capacity, by delivering a copy thereof to the officer, agent, or employee, and by delivering a copy to the attorney general, or to any employee in his office designated by him to accept service of process.
- Upon a department or agency of the state, subject to suit, by delivering a copy thereof to the principal officer, chief clerk, or other executive employee thereof, and by delivering a copy to the attorney general, or any employee in his office designated by him to accept service of process.
- For all purposes the date of service upon the officer, agent, employee, department, or agency shall control, except that failure to serve copies upon the attorney general within three days of service upon the officer, agent, employee, department, or agency shall extend the time within which the officer, agent, employee, department, or agency must file a responsive pleading for sixty days beyond the time otherwise provided by these Rules.
If you’re in need of some late-night reading (maybe you can’t sleep), you can read the whole thing at this link (a new tab or window will open in LexisNexis).
For more information, visit the Process Servers Association of Colorado website.
Colorado Legal Forms for Process Servers
Download free process server legal forms (including a blank affidavit of service) from the Colorado Judicial Branch.