Certified Process Servers

The Chief Judge, through Court Administration, authorizes and regulates Certified Process Servers in the 12th Judicial Circuit. These individuals are responsible for serving initial non-enforceable civil process issued in any county within the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Services Provided

The purpose of the civil process is to provide notice to defendants and other interested persons that a judicial action or proceeding has been initiated. The court may not proceed with a judicial action/proceeding until delivery or process has been confirmed.

Court Administration

• Address: Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center
  2002 Ringling Blvd, 8th Floor
  Sarasota, Fl 34237
• Phone: (941) 861-7800

If you are a Certified Process Server and have lost your identification card, you can purchase a replacement from the Process Server Application page. You must have an account and be logged in before you can request a replacement.

The application period to become a certified process server in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit begins Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Applicants must complete the online application, provide the application fee and upload all necessary documents between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025, to be approved for the certification period of September 1, 2025‐August 31, 2026.

Failure to renew properly and timely will result in a current process server being removed from the certified process server list and losing all standing as a certified process server in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

To complete the online application, you must first become a registered user.

Once registered, you may begin the application process.

New application requirements

1. Proof of completion of a service of process examination administered by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division: (941) 861-4110;
2. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s sound moral character. At least one letter must be from an active member of the Florida Bar in good standing;
3. Completed online application;
4. $5,000 bond that expires no earlier than August 31, 2026;
5. Online acknowledgment and acceptance of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Statement of Policy and Certificate of Good Conduct of Certified Process Servers and Acknowledgment and Verification;
6. Completed Authorization and Consent for Release of Personal Information and Criminal Background Check;
7. Non-refundable application fee of $220.00

Renewal Application Requirements

1. Completed online application;
2. $5,000 bond that expires no earlier than August 31, 2026;
3. Online acknowledgment and acceptance of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Statement of Policy and Certificate of Good Conduct of Certified Process Servers and Acknowledgment and Verification;
4. Completed Authorization and Consent for Release of Personal Information and Criminal Background Check;
5. Non-refundable application fee of $125.00

^*If you are not on the current list of Certified Process Servers, you are not eligible to submit a renewal application. You must submit a new application.

The application fee can be paid online or by check or money order made payable to “Sarasota Board of County Commissioners.” Payment must be received by August 31, 2025.

Please review Chapter 48, Florida Statutes (2021), Sections 48.021 and 48.25-48.31 (the “Florida Certified Process Server Act”). See also, 12th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 2022-06.2, dated 6/29/2022.