International Process Service by Mail: What You Need to Know about the Hague Convention

There are some situations in which you may have a court case involving a company or individual from a foreign country. Even though the court process is much the same, there are some obstacles to such a case. One of those obstacles is getting process service accomplished in another country. There are two multilateral treaties that affect process service in foreign countries. One of these is the Hague Convention, and it allows for process service by mail. There are some exceptions, and some information you need to know before using this service method.

What is Process Service by Mail?

Process service by mail requires that the court papers be sent to the individual or company in the foreign country by registered certified mail, return receipt requested. This gives you proof that the papers were delivered by the mail. Once you receive the return receipt, you have evidence for the court that the papers were served and the other party has been notified of the case.

Exceptions

There are some exceptions that can prevent you from using process service by mail in international cases. While many countries have signed the Hague Convention, not all countries participate. Additionally, some of the countries that have signed the Hague Convention have opted out of process service by mail. It is important to check with an experienced process server or the federal government online resources to determine whether or not process service by mail is allowed in the country you need to address.

If you have international papers to be served, it is important that you follow all the laws and regulations set forth by the treaties the US has with other countries. Rather than tackle this on your own, it is helpful to have an experienced international process server on your side. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you with international service of process.