Process Serving
Done Right.

Process serving is the legal procedure of delivering court documents — such as summons, subpoenas, and complaints — to individuals named in a legal action. A licensed Tampa process server like Spotlight Serve ensures delivery meets all Florida legal requirements.

Yes. Spotlight Serve is a proud member of NAPPS (National Association of Professional Process Servers), FAPPS (Florida Association of Professional Process Servers), and FALI (Florida Association of Legal Investigators).

Yes — through our trusted nationwide partner network we coordinate process serving across all 50 states. Out-of-state service is $135–$250 depending on location and requirements.

Upload documents directly on our Submit & Pay page, or email them to office@spotlightserve.com. Once received we’ll confirm receipt and get started right away.

Absolutely. We offer special pricing for law firms and high-volume clients. Contact us at (813) 252-5530 or office@spotlightserve.com to discuss a custom rate that works for your practice.

Skip tracing locates a person who is difficult to find. For just $25, our team quickly identifies current addresses so service can proceed without delay.

Our $95 Florida flat rate includes four attempts across different time windows: one before noon, one after 5PM, one on a weekend, and additional attempts at the server’s discretion. This rotation ensures every address receives fair and equal treatment across morning, afternoon, evening, and flexible windows throughout the week.

Our process servers follow a set circuit route and do not stay in one specific area. Servers manage a high volume of cases — often covering many addresses across areas like Apollo Beach, Riverview, Gibson, Gibsonton, and surrounding communities each day. Rather than assigning fixed days and times to specific addresses, servers rotate through different time windows across the week:

• One circuit may cover afternoon attempts across the entire route
• The next might be evening attempts
• Another could be early morning — sometimes as early as 4:00 AM
• A final circuit allows flexibility at the server’s discretion

Our servers follow a scheduled route and cannot stop and respond to a specific location at a moment’s notice without an emergency rush fee. To have a server prioritize your job and respond at a specific time or immediately requires an additional fee. Without the rush fee, the attempt will be made when the server reaches that location as part of their standard route for the day.

Routine service is what we always recommend first. It includes four attempts — morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend — for $95. Most clients are already navigating a stressful legal process and want to keep costs manageable.

Stakeout service is a single, uninterrupted block of time where a process server remains on location until the subject is available. It cannot be split across multiple visits. The moment the stakeout begins, the client is charged for that block of time — 30 minutes at $85, or a full hour at $160. Because routine service includes four attempts for $95, stakeout is a significantly higher cost for a single window, which is why we do not lead with this option.

While our circuit system is designed to cover morning, afternoon, evening, and flexible windows, we are unable to guarantee a specific day for any particular time window. Our servers are independent contractors (1099) and we cannot mandate their daily schedule or route order. What we can assure you is that all time windows — including early morning — will be covered across the four attempts. If you need a specific time guaranteed, a rush or emergency fee applies.

Our standard practice is designed to minimize stress while keeping you informed at the moments that matter most. Based on client feedback over the years, many people found that receiving updates after every single attempt actually created more anxiety than peace of mind.

• After two attempts, we reach out to let you know where things stand and that two attempts remain
• After the final attempt, we contact you with tailored options and recommendations for next steps — not just news

Absolutely. If you prefer updates after every attempt, we are happy to accommodate that. Simply let us know your preference when you submit your documents or contact us directly and we will adjust accordingly.

Once all four attempts have been completed, we will email you your affidavit of service. If you are located in the state of Florida, we can also e-file the affidavit on your behalf — just let us know when submitting your documents or reach out to office@spotlightserve.com to arrange this.

An affidavit of service is a sworn legal document completed by the process server that documents the details of each service attempt. A typical affidavit entry reads: “Process server arrived at 2:45 PM. A dog was heard inside the residence. A silver Honda Civic, tag ABC-1234, was parked in the driveway.” The arrival time and specific observations are what matter — our servers are not clocked or timed on how long they remain at a location.

Once all four attempts have been completed, the affidavit is finalized and emailed to the process server for their review and signature. The server has 48 hours to confirm that everything documented accurately reflects the work performed and return it signed. The completed affidavit is then emailed directly to you. Please note that affidavit processing follows standard business hours and the 48-hour server turnaround, so the process can sometimes take a day or two after service is completed.

Yes. If you would like us to e-file the affidavit on your behalf, we are able to do that as well. Please let us know when submitting your documents or reach out to office@spotlightserve.com to arrange this.

Our affidavits are court-ready and document the specific details of each attempt — arrival time, observations at the property (vehicles, lights, sounds, activity), and the outcome of each attempt. All documentation is accurate and professionally formatted to meet Florida court requirements.