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Process Server Individual
Process Server Individual License Application Checklist
Who Must Have a Process Server Individual License?
You must have a Process Server Individual license if you serve process five (5) or more times in a calendar year.
You do not need a Process Server Individual license if:
- You are an attorney admitted to practice in New York State.
- You are an employee of a City, State, or Federal department or agency acting within the scope of your employment.
This description is only a general explanation of who must have a Process Server Individual license.
License Requirements
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will deny your application if you fail to provide the required documents and information:
Basic License Application
Download Basic License Application
Apply Online! Review requirements and click the link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.
Photo Identification (ID) of License Applicant
Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver’s license or a non-driver’s license identification issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles
- License or permit issued by a government agency
- Passport
- Alien card/green card
- City, State, or Federal employee ID card
- Municipal ID card
Process Server Individual Background Information Form
Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant
Online: Applicants can upload an image file of digital passport photo quality.
A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel is adequate.
Mail: Applicants can submit a current color passport-size photograph.
In Person By Appointment Only: See Questions section to contact DCWP.
DCWP will photograph license applicants at no cost.
Process Server Individual Bond Requirement
Submit ONE of the following as proof of bond requirement:
- Copy of $10,000 Surety Bond, properly signed
The copy of the bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. Your name and address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.
Download a list of bonding companies.
Note: The list is not exhaustive, and DCWP does not endorse or recommend any particular bonding company.
OR - Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form AND Proof of Bond Denials
If you are unable to obtain a bond, you must pay into a Trust Fund established by DCWP. Submit the following documents:
- Completed Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form
The fee for joining the Trust Fund is $1,000. - Copies of applications submitted to TWO different surety bond companies
- ORIGINAL denial letters from the two sureties
OR - Completed Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form
- Process Server Individual Employee Bond Exemption Certification
If you serve process exclusively as an employee of a licensed Process Serving Agency:
- Your agency must complete the Process Server Individual Employee Bond Exemption Certification.
- You must submit a copy of the Process Serving Agency's bond.
Roster of Process Serving Agencies
In addition to submitting this information with your application, you must also upload your Roster of Process Serving Agencies to DCWP's Process Server Portal at nyc.gov/ProcessServer.
Process Server Individual Exam and $75 Exam Fee
You must schedule an appointment with ExamBuilder to take the Process Server Individual Exam.
IMPORTANT:
- You can schedule the exam 24 hours after DCWP has processed your completed license application, which includes required documents and fees.
You cannot schedule the exam until DCWP has received and processed required documents and payments. Once DCWP has processed your application, it takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system. - You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information appears in ExamBuilder’s system. You have a total of two attempts to pass the exam.
- Test Centers are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week in multiple locations citywide. ExamBuilder can confirm available locations when you schedule your exam.
- You can schedule the exam in ONE of two ways:
- Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue.
- You can find Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt.
- By phone: (646) 974-8244
- Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.
The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions. You must answer a minimum of 21 questions correctly to pass. The fee is $75. The exam fee is separate from the license fee and is nonrefundable. If you fail the exam twice, you must reapply for the license, which means paying the license, exam, and fingerprinting fees, and being fingerprinted again.
Note:
- DCWP prepared Educational Materials for Process Servers, that include relevant City and State laws and rules you need to know to serve process properly. Materials are not a “study guide” exclusively for the exam.
- An additional resource is the New York City Marshals Handbook of Regulations, in particular Chapter IV, Section 2-2 and Section 5. The Handbook is available online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doi/offices/marshals-handook.page
- Please review Frequently Asked Questions: Exams.
- Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue.
Electronic Device Certification
Recordkeeping Certification
Fingerprints and Processing Fee
You must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted:
- Visit uenroll.identogo.com
- Enter:
- Service Code. Enter 1585J9
- Agency ID. Enter numbers only from Application Number. Application Number is on your receipt or confirmation letter when you apply online. Example: For Application Number 1234567-2023-AHIC, enter only 12345672023 as Agency ID.
- Follow the instructions and pay the required fee(s).
Granting Authority to Act Affirmation
Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms. Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.
License Fee
License Period: 2 years
Expiration Date: February 28 in Even Years
If You File Your Application Between These Dates:
- From March 1* in an even year to August 31 in an even year:
- Pay $340 for a license expiring February 28 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)
- From September 1 in an even year to February 28 in an odd year:
- Pay $255 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)
- From March 1 in an odd year to August 31 in an odd year:
- Pay $170 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)
- From September 1 in an odd year to February 28 in an even year:
- Option 1: Pay $85 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)
- Option 2: Pay $425 for a license expiring February 28 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)
*Or February 29 in a leap year
Pay by:
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only) (Online or in person)
You will be charged a nonrefundable 2% Convenience Fee. - eCheck (Online)
- Check or money order payable to DCWP (In person or by mail)
Submit Your License Application to DCWP
You can submit your license application online or in person at the DCWP Licensing Center.
- ONLINE OPTION: After reviewing requirements above, click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.
- IN-PERSON OPTION: Licensing appointments are available in hardship cases that require an in-person visit. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment for an in-person visit.
Questions? We’re here to help!
Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov
Phone: (212) 487-4060. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.
Additional Resources for Process Server Individuals
- For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.
- Visit nyc.gov/processserver for DCWP’s Process Server Portal. Use the Portal to submit Certification Concerning Service in Housing Court, Traverse Reports, and Roster Updates.
- Annual Audit and Certification Concerning Service in Housing Court
Twice a year, each licensed process server is required by law to submit electronically to DCWP a certification stating whether the licensed process server has served at least one summons, subpoena, notice, citation, or other process directing an appearance or response to a legal proceeding or administrative proceeding in housing court for the prior half-calendar year. (For example, at the beginning of 2025, each licensed process server must provide the relevant information for July-December 2024.)
Note:
- DCWP will email licensed process servers about the annual audit, including how to electronically submit certification via DCWP’s Process Server Portal.
- You must provide an active (regularly used) email address to DCWP to receive emails about the annual audit. You must complete and submit certification after receiving an email from DCWP.
- New York City Process Server’s Registry Ledger
These are records of all services and attempted services in compliance with New York State General Business Law § 89-cc and New York City Administrative Code § 20.406.3. On May 9, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law a bill amending New York State General Business Law § 89-cc to no longer require the maintenance of bound paginated records of attempted and effected services if a process server maintains electronic records. The effective date of this amendment is June 8, 2022.
As of April 1, 2025, these records—whether bound paginated records or electronic records— also must comply with DCWP’s amended rules.
- Electronic Records
Process server individuals who choose to maintain electronic records with a third-party contractor must produce upon request by DCWP a copy of the electronic records in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing the fields and data format set forth in 6 RCNY § 2-233(a)(2) that is certified to be true and accurate. Download the spreadsheet.
- Global Positioning System (GPS) Electronic Devices
Process server individuals must maintain their GPS records with a third-party contractor. Please see 6 RCNY § 2-233b for the requirements.
Download a list of software companies that provide electronic devices with GPS. The companies have represented that they provide software and services that comply with the Rules. The list must not be considered a recommendation of any company or a complete listing. All applicants are advised to investigate and compare these and other companies. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
- Traverse Reports
Under New York City law, licensed process servers and process serving agencies must report a scheduled traverse hearing (hearing contesting service) to DCWP within 10 days of receiving oral or written notice. See Title 6, Rules of the City of New York § 2-236(c). You must use DCWP’s Process Server Portal to submit your Traverse Reports. - For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/business.
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Note: Whether you apply to register to vote or not, it will not affect the assistance DCWP will provide to you.