Process Server Individual License

You need a Process Server Individual License if you serve, personally or by substitute service, five or more legal papers in a year. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gives this license.

You do not need this license if:

• You are a lawyer in New York State.
• You work for a City, State or federal office and are doing your job.

• Complete the Basic Individual License Application.

• Submit photo identification (ID).
  Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • U.S.-issued driver's license or non-driver's license ID
  • Government-issued license or permit
  • Passport
  • Alien card/green card
  • City, state or federal employee ID card
  • Municipal ID card

• Complete the Process Server Individual Background Information Form.

• Submit a current color passport-size photograph.
  Note: You can get your picture taken at the DCWP Licensing Center at no cost or upload your photo online.

• Post a surety bond for the duration of the license period. Submit one proof of bond requirement:

  • Copy of a $10,000 surety bond, properly signed, and a copy of the bond receipt. The bond must name the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the Certificate Holder. Your name and address must be the same on all documents. The bond receipt must show the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period. Surety Bond Model Template and List of Bonding Companies
  • Completed Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form and copies of applications submitted to two different bond companies and their original denial letters.
  • Completed Process Server Individual Employee Bond Exemption Certificate and a copy of your process serving agency's bond. This can be submitted if you serve process exclusively as an employee of a process serving agency.

• Complete the Roster of Process Serving Agencies.

• Complete the Electronic Device Certification form.

• Complete the Recordkeeping Certification form.

• If someone other than you will file the application, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

• Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted.

  • Visit uenroll.identogo.com. Enter Service Code 1585J9 and Agency ID. Agency ID is the numbers from your 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 the Agency ID.
  • Follow the instructions and pay the required fees.
  • Schedule an appointment as soon as possible to complete this requirement.

• List of fees

  • $340: License fee for new applications from March 1 of even-numbered years to August 31 of even-numbered years
  • $255: License fee for new applications from September 1 of even-numbered years to February 28 of odd-numbered years
  • $170: License fee for new applications from March 1 of odd-numbered years to August 31 of odd-numbered years
  • $85: License fee for new applications from September 1 of odd-numbered years to February 28 of even-numbered years
  • Fingerprint processing fee
  • $1,000: Trust Fund Enrollment fee
  • Process Server Individual Exam fee
  • Nonrefundable 2 percent convenience fee for paying with a credit card

• List of accepted payment methods

  • Check (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Money order (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover)

• Schedule your exam:

  • You need to set up a time with ExamBuilder to take the Process Server Individual Exam.

  • You can set up the exam 24 hours after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has processed your application. This includes all needed documents and fees.

  • You cannot set up the exam until DCWP has received and processed all needed documents and payments.

  • Once DCWP has processed your application, it takes 24 hours for your information to show up in ExamBuilder's system.

  • You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information shows up in ExamBuilder's system.

  • You have two tries to pass the exam.

  • Test Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day in many places in the City. ExamBuilder will tell you available locations when you schedule your exam.

  • You can set up the exam in two ways:

    • Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click continue. You can find your Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt.
    • By phone at 646-974-8244. Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.

• Important:

  • Review the Educational Materials, New York City Marshals Handbook of Regulations (especially Chapter IV, Section 2-2 and Section 5), and Frequently Asked Questions to get ready for the exam.

• Notification of application status:

  • Within two weeks of DCWP getting all needed materials, you will get a letter about your application:

    • If your application is approved, DCWP will send you a license.
    • If your application needs more information, DCWP will send you a letter with instructions. If you do not send the needed information within 10 days, your application will be denied.
    • If your application is denied, DCWP will explain why and tell you how to apply again.

• License validity: Licenses are good for up to two years. They expire on February 28 of even-numbered years.

• Information changes: If your information changes, you must tell the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). You can do this by:

  • Calling 311. It is a good idea to call 311 to check if you need to visit the center for any specific change.

  • Visiting the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Registry Ledger: You must keep a New York City Process Server's Registry Ledger. This is a record of all services you make, as discussed in the Educational Materials for Process Servers.

• Electronic records: You need to keep records in an electronic format that cannot be changed. You can use the Electronic Records Template, a third-party document system, or scan the required written log book into a PDF.

• GPS device: You must carry and use a device that records GPS location while serving process. The rules are in Subchapter W of Chapter 2 of Title 6 of the Rules of the City of New York in the Educational Materials for Process Servers. List of software companies that sell GPS devices. Note: This list is not complete and does not recommend any specific company.

• Traverse hearing: Report a scheduled traverse hearing, a hearing contesting service, to DCWP within 10 days of getting notice. Complete the Traverse Report Form.

• Laws and rules: All laws and rules of New York City, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are available through the Public Access Portal.

• Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button.
  Note: You will be redirected to a new web page where you will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

• After submitting an application online, print a copy of the confirmation page. This page lists the additional steps and materials needed to complete the application. These materials are also listed above and must be submitted within five business days of filing the application online if they were not uploaded as part of the online application submission.

• Complete the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

• Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.

• If you plan to keep operating: You must send your renewal application at least 15 days before your license expires.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.

• If you plan to keep operating: You must submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.

• You must make an appointment: You need an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.

• If you plan to keep operating: You must send your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.

• Mail these materials: You can mail these materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov