Who is allowed to serve a summons in Arizona?

Only a sheriff, constable, or their deputy; a private process server certified under ACJA Section 7-204 and Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 4(e); or a person the court specially appoints. A certified private process server must be at least 21, pass a state exam on Arizona court rules, and clear a fingerprint-based criminal-records check.

Can I serve my own summons in an Arizona lawsuit?

Generally, no. Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(1) limits service to an officer, a certified private process server, or a person the court specially appoints; a party may serve only where the rules expressly authorize it. Unlike many states, Arizona also has no rule letting any adult non-party serve process.

Does Arizona have an official proof-of-service form?

No single mandatory statewide form exists. Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 4(g)(3) requires only an affidavit establishing proof of service, and county self-help forms, such as Maricopa County's GN24f Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail, may be used. If a particular court requires its own return-of-service version, that form controls instead.

Does an Arizona proof of service need to be notarized?

Not necessarily. Rule 4(g)(3) calls the proof an affidavit, but Rule 80(c) lets an unsworn declaration signed under penalty of perjury substitute for a notarized affidavit, with the same force and effect. A sheriff or deputy's return needs neither: it is simply marked on or attached to the proof and filed.

Does mailing serve an Arizona summons on its own?

Not for a defendant located inside Arizona. Rule 4.1(d) lists only personal delivery, dwelling or abode service, and delivery to an authorized agent; mail is absent from that list entirely. Mail requiring a signed and returned receipt is available only when the defendant is known to be outside Arizona but within the United States, under Rule 4.2(c).

What is ACJA Section 7-204 certification for Arizona process servers?

It is the statewide certification for private process servers, granted by a county presiding judge after the applicant is at least 21, passes a state examination on Arizona court rules and statutes governing process servers, and clears a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal-records check. Once certified, the server may serve process for any state court within Arizona.

How long do I have to serve a summons in Arizona?

A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss the action without prejudice or order that service be made within a specified time. If the plaintiff shows good cause, the court must extend the period (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 4(i)).

Is there a deadline to file proof of service in Arizona?

There is no separate fixed day count. Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 4(g)(1) ties the filing deadline to when the served party must respond to process, and a missing or defective proof of service does not itself undo good service, though it can block a default.

How do I serve later papers, like a motion, in an Arizona case?

Later papers are served under Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 5(c), generally on the attorney of record if the party is represented. Methods include personal delivery; leaving the papers at the person's office, or at their dwelling if there is no office or it is closed; mail; or electronic or other means if the recipient consents in writing or the court orders it. A certificate of service states the date and manner; if the manner is not noted, service is presumed to have been by mail.

Does this Arizona proof of service cover federal court, service abroad, or a government defendant?

No. Service in federal court under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, service outside the United States, and service on a government entity follow separate rules not covered on this page.

Arizona Proof of Service

Arizona limits service of a summons to a sheriff or constable, an ACJA-certified private process server, or a person the court specially appoints, and ordinary mail cannot serve an individual located in Arizona at all.

Find out where you stand in Arizona

Where are you with service?

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Introduction

In Arizona, initial process may be served only by a sheriff, constable, or their deputy; an ACJA Section 7-204-certified private process server; or a person the court specially appoints. A party generally cannot serve their own summons, and Arizona has no any-adult rule (Rule 4(d)). There is no mandatory statewide proof-of-service form; Rule 4(g)(3) requires only an affidavit, and county self-help forms may be used; a court's version controls if required. Rule 80(c) lets a declaration under penalty of perjury replace that affidavit; a sheriff's or deputy's return needs neither; it is marked on or attached to the proof and promptly filed. Personal delivery, dwelling service with someone of suitable age and discretion who resides there, and delivery to an authorized agent are valid (Rule 4.1(d)). Ordinary mail cannot serve someone in Arizona; mail with a signed, returned receipt works only for a defendant outside Arizona but in the U.S. (Rule 4.2(c)). Alternative service and publication require a court order. Serve within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss without prejudice or order service within a specified time; good cause requires an extension (Rule 4(i)). Rule 4(g)(1) ties the proof's filing deadline to the response deadline. Later papers use a certificate of service under Rule 5(c); an unnoted manner is presumed mail. Federal, foreign, and government service follow separate rules. The proof is sworn or signed under penalty of perjury, so never misstate how or when service occurred. Attorney review is available before you file.

Key Things to Know

1
Initial process may be served only by a sheriff, constable, or their deputy; a private process server certified under ACJA Section 7-204 and Rule 4(e); or a person the court specially appoints. Arizona has no mandatory statewide proof-of-service form; Rule 4(g)(3) requires only an affidavit establishing proof of service, and a court's own version controls if one is required.
2
A party generally cannot serve their own summons and complaint. Unlike many states, Arizona has no rule letting any adult non-party serve process; Rule 4(d)(1) limits service to an officer, a certified private process server, or a court-specially-appointed person.
3
Rule 4(g)(3) calls the proof an affidavit, but Rule 80(c) lets an unsworn declaration signed under penalty of perjury substitute for it, with the same force and effect. A sheriff or deputy's return needs neither: it is simply marked on or attached to the proof and promptly filed.
4
Personal delivery, leaving a copy at the individual's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who resides there, and delivery to an authorized agent are all valid under Rule 4.1(d). Alternative service by court order and service by publication (weekly for 4 successive weeks, complete 30 days after the first publication) are available only on a court order.
5
Ordinary mail cannot serve an individual located within Arizona at all; Rule 4.1(d) lists only personal delivery, dwelling or abode service, and authorized-agent delivery. Mail requiring a signed and returned receipt is available only when the defendant is known to be outside Arizona but within the United States, under Rule 4.2(c), with an affidavit and the signed receipt filed.
6
A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss the action without prejudice or order that service be made within a specified time; if the plaintiff shows good cause, the court must extend the period (Rule 4(i)).
7
There is no separate fixed day count to file the proof of service; Rule 4(g)(1) ties the filing deadline to when the served party must respond to process, and a missing or defective proof does not itself undo good service, though it can block a default. Later papers use a certificate of service under Rule 5(c), and if the manner of service is not noted on it, service is presumed to have been by mail.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Proof of Service in Arizona, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Proof of Service guide walks through them.

Open the Proof of Service guide

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[COURT NAME] COURT [COUNTY] COUNTY, ARIZONA

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff, v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER] [DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant.

PROOF OF SERVICE

Arizona has no mandatory statewide proof-of-service form. This proof states the information Rule 4(g) requires. If this court supplies or requires its own return-of-service form, that form controls instead of this one.

I received the Summons and [PLEADING OR DOCUMENT SERVED] for service on [DATE RECEIVED FOR SERVICE].

I served [NAME OF PERSON OR ENTITY SERVED] with a copy of the Summons and [PLEADING OR DOCUMENT SERVED] at [ADDRESS WHERE SERVED], on [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME OF SERVICE].

METHOD OF SERVICE

[ ] PERSONAL DELIVERY. I delivered the Summons and pleading to [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] personally (Rule 4.1(d)(1)).

[ ] DWELLING OR ABODE. I left a copy of the Summons and pleading at [NAME OF PERSON SERVED]'s dwelling or usual place of abode with [NAME OF RESIDENT], a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there (Rule 4.1(d)(2)).

[ ] AUTHORIZED AGENT. I delivered the Summons and pleading to [NAME OF AGENT], an agent authorized by appointment or law to receive service for [NAME OF PERSON OR ENTITY SERVED] (Rule 4.1(d)(3)).

[ ] ALTERNATIVE SERVICE BY COURT ORDER. Under the order of [COURT] dated [DATE OF ORDER], finding the methods above impracticable, I served [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] by [DESCRIPTION OF COURT-ORDERED METHOD] on [DATE OF SERVICE]; the order and Summons were also mailed to the last-known address (Rule 4.1(k)).

[ ] SERVICE BY PUBLICATION. Under the order of [COURT] dated [DATE OF ORDER], the Summons was published weekly for 4 successive weeks, beginning on [DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION], in [NEWSPAPER NAME], a newspaper in [COUNTY] County, and, where the person's last-known county is different, in [NEWSPAPER NAME IN LAST-KNOWN COUNTY], a newspaper in [LAST-KNOWN COUNTY] County. Service was complete 30 days after the first publication. Dates of publication: [DATES OF PUBLICATION]. Dates of mailing: [DATES OF MAILING]. Circumstances warranting publication: [CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANTING PUBLICATION]. A printed copy of the publication is attached (Rule 4.1(l)).

[ ] MAIL OUTSIDE ARIZONA. [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] was known to be located outside Arizona but within the United States, at [ADDRESS]. I mailed the Summons and pleading by postage-prepaid mail requiring a signed and returned receipt, on [DATE OF MAILING] (Rule 4.2(c)). The signed return receipt is attached to this proof.

SERVER INFORMATION

Server: [NAME OF SERVER], who is at least 21 years of age.

[ ] SHERIFF. I am a sheriff or deputy sheriff. This return is marked on or attached to the proof of service and is filed with the court (Rule 4(g)(2)).

[ ] CONSTABLE. I am a constable or constable's deputy, and I make the declaration below (Rule 4(g)(3)).

[ ] CERTIFIED PRIVATE PROCESS SERVER. I am certified under ACJA Section 7-204 and Rule 4(e) to serve process statewide. I am registered in [COUNTY] County (Rule 4(g)(3)).

[ ] COURT-APPOINTED SERVER. I was specially appointed to serve process in this action by order of [COURT] dated [DATE OF APPOINTMENT]. I am not a party, an attorney, or an employee of an attorney in this action.

DECLARATION

[ ] UNSWORN DECLARATION. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct, as Rule 80(c) allows in place of a notarized affidavit. Executed on [DATE].

[ ] SWORN AFFIDAVIT. Subscribed and sworn to before me on [DATE] by [NAME OF SERVER].

[SIGNATURE OF NOTARY PUBLIC] Notary Public, State of Arizona My commission expires: [COMMISSION EXPIRATION DATE]

[SIGNATURE OF SERVER] [PRINTED NAME OF SERVER] [ADDRESS] [DATE]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF LATER PAPERS

A copy of [NAME OF DOCUMENT] has been or will be mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered on [DATE] to [NAME AND ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD OR PARTY] (Rule 5(c)).

[SIGNATURE] [NAME]

Arizona Requirements for Proof of Service

Only Certain People May Serve Process
Initial process may be served only by a sheriff, constable, or their deputy; a private process server certified under ACJA Section 7-204 and Rule 4(e); or a person the court specially appoints. A party generally cannot serve their own summons, and Arizona has no rule letting any adult non-party serve instead (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1)).
ACJA Section 7-204 Private Process Server Certification
A certified private process server must be at least 21, pass a state examination on Arizona court rules and statutes governing process servers, and clear a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal-records check. Certification is granted by the county presiding judge and is valid for any state court within Arizona.
No Mandatory Statewide Proof-of-Service Form
Arizona has no single numbered statewide proof-of-service form. Rule 4(g)(3) requires only an affidavit establishing proof of service, and county self-help forms, such as Maricopa County's GN24f, may be used. A court's own return-of-service version controls if that court requires one.
Declaration Under Rule 80(c) May Replace a Notarized Affidavit
Rule 4(g)(3) calls the proof an affidavit, but Rule 80(c) lets an unsworn declaration signed under penalty of perjury substitute for it, with the same force and effect. A sheriff or deputy's return needs neither, and is simply marked on or attached to the proof and promptly filed.
No Mail Service for a Defendant Located in Arizona
Rule 4.1(d) lists only personal delivery, dwelling or abode service, and delivery to an authorized agent for an individual located within Arizona; mail is not an option for that person. Alternative service and service by publication are available only by court order.
Mail Service Limited to Out-of-State Defendants
Mail requiring a signed and returned receipt may serve a defendant known to be outside Arizona but within the United States, under Rule 4.2(c), and requires filing an affidavit with the signed return receipt attached.
90-Day Deadline to Serve With Dismissal Without Prejudice
A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time. If the plaintiff shows good cause, the court must extend the period (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 4(i)).
No Fixed Deadline to File the Proof of Service
Arizona sets no separate fixed day count to file the proof of service; Rule 4(g)(1) ties the filing deadline to when the served party must respond to process. A missing or defective proof does not itself undo good service, though it can block a default.
Certificate of Service for Later Papers
Later papers are served under Rule 5(c) with a certificate of service stating the date and manner on the document or in a separate certificate; if the manner is not noted, service is presumed to have been by mail.

Find out where you stand in Arizona

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Proof of Service Template with DocDraft

Arizona Requirements for Proof of Service

Only Certain People May Serve Process

ACJA Section 7-204 Private Process Server Certification

No Mandatory Statewide Proof-of-Service Form

Declaration Under Rule 80(c) May Replace a Notarized Affidavit

No Mail Service for a Defendant Located in Arizona

Mail Service Limited to Out-of-State Defendants

90-Day Deadline to Serve With Dismissal Without Prejudice

No Fixed Deadline to File the Proof of Service

Certificate of Service for Later Papers

Frequently Asked Questions