Courts and procedure
Service of process
Also called being served
Formally delivering court papers, such as a summons and complaint or petition, to the person they are directed to.[1]
In more detail
Being served starts the clock for a response. California's courts explain that divorce papers start the case but don't end the marriage on their own.[2]
Varies by state
This is the federal courts' definition; state courts use the word the same way, though procedures differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- ComplaintThe written statement a plaintiff files to start a civil case, saying why the court has jurisdiction, what the defendant allegedly did wrong, and what the plaintiff wants.
- RespondentThe person who responds to a petition, such as the spouse who receives divorce papers.
- Default judgmentA judgment entered for the side that filed the case because the other side didn't answer or appear.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Service of process: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/service-of-process/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.