Process Serving Agency License

You need a Process Serving Agency License if you or your business assigns, distributes or delivers process to another for actual service. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gives this license.

• Business certificate: You need the right Business Certificate for your business type. You do not need to submit this document with your application, but DCWP may ask for it.

  • Sole proprietors using a name other than your own need a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Partnerships need a Partnership Certificate and, if needed, an Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, or limited liability partnerships must register and stay active with the New York State Division of Corporations. Check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

• Basic license application: You must complete the Basic License Application. This application needs:

  • Business information, including identification numbers (EIN, SSN or ITIN)
  • Contact information for the business location and owner
  • History of criminal and/or civil charges for business owners, partners, shareholders and officers
  • Any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives
    
    Note: Use a regularly checked email address. DCWP may send important documents and notices to this email.

• Complete the Process Serving Agency Background Information Form.

• Complete the Roster of Process Servers.

• Submit a $100,000 surety bond: Submit a copy of a $100,000 surety bond, properly signed. The bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. The business name and address on the bond must match the license application. Include a copy of the bond receipt showing it is paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.
  Download list of bonding companies (PDF)

• Complete the Process Serving Agency Compliance Plan Affirmation.

• Complete the Process Serving Agency GPS Services Affirmation.

• Complete the Process Serving Agency Recordkeeping Certification.

• Complete the granting authority to act affirmation: If someone else will file the application, complete this form.
  Download granting authority to act affirmation (PDF)

• Get fingerprinted: All sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members and shareholders owning 10 percent or more of company stock must 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 per person
  • Nonrefundable 2 percent convenience fee for paying with a credit card

• Accepted payment methods:

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

• Notification by mail: You will get a letter within two weeks after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gets all your papers.
• 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. You must send the requested material to DCWP within 10 days. If you do not, 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 must schedule an appointment to visit in person. 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.

• Monthly reports: You must submit a monthly written report about the recordkeeping practices of each process server in your agency.

  • Use the Monthly Compliance Report template from DCWP or your own template that follows Subchapter W of Chapter 2 of Title 6 of the Rules of the City of New York.

• Electronic records: You need to keep records in an electronic format that cannot be changed.

  • Use the Electronic Records template, a third-party document management system or scan the 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. 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.

  • Use 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 requirements: Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button. 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.

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

Schedule an appointment: 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 the license expires.
• You must make an appointment: 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 mail materials to the DCWP Licensing Center.
  
  DCWP Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov