Your case is filed in a Florida court, but the defendant resides in another state. This scenario is common, but it introduces a layer of legal complexity that many overlook. Jurisdiction doesn’t stop at the state line, yet the rules for notifying an out-of-state party become far more strict. One misstep in this process can lead to a motion to quash, costly delays, or even a full dismissal of your case. Ensuring service is legally sound from the start is not just a formality—it’s a critical strategic step.
Florida’s Long-Arm Statute
The first question is one of authority: why can a Florida lawsuit reach someone in Georgia or California? The answer lies in Florida’s “long-arm statute.” This law allows Florida courts to exercise jurisdiction over non-residents who have established sufficient “minimum contacts” with the state.
Florida Statute § 48.193 outlines these connections, which can include conducting business in the state, committing a wrongful act in Florida, or owning local property. If the defendant meets these criteria, the court’s reach can extend across state lines. But establishing jurisdiction is only half the battle; the defendant must still be properly served.
How Service is Performed Across State Lines
This is where the most critical errors occur. A Florida-certified process server cannot simply cross the state line to serve documents. The process must comply with the laws of two different states simultaneously.
According to Florida Statute § 48.194, service on an out-of-state defendant must be performed by an individual who is legally authorized to serve process in the state where the person is being served. This means you need a local, certified professional in the defendant’s home state who understands their specific rules—whether it’s Arizona or New York. That local server must then provide a return of service that satisfies Florida’s own stringent documentation requirements.
The Accurate Serve Nationwide Network Solution
Navigating the legal requirements of 50 different states is a logistical nightmare filled with risk. This is why choosing a process serving firm with an established, vetted national network is essential. Instead of you or your staff trying to find and qualify a trustworthy server hundreds of miles away, we handle the entire chain of custody.
Accurate Serve of Orlando manages the logistics seamlessly. We transmit the documents to a trusted, certified process server in the destination state, ensuring they follow local laws while generating the proof of service needed for your Florida court case. We remove the uncertainty and potential for critical mistakes from the equation.
Need to Serve Someone Outside of Florida?
Don’t let state lines jeopardize your case. For reliable and legally compliant out-of-state service of process, contact Accurate Serve® of Orlando today. We make a complex process simple. Call us at one of the numbers below or send us a work request online.
Orlando – (407) 868-5992
Kissimmee – (407) 961-7874
Lake Mary – (407) 327-8233
