United States Process Serving Corp provides professional and reliable process serving across Hawaii. Our network of experienced process servers ensures your legal documents are delivered promptly and in compliance with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure (HRCP) Rule 4 and Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 634.
Hawaii Process Serving Laws
Under HRCP Rule 4(c), service of all process may be made anywhere in the state by the sheriff, by the chief of police, by some other person specifically appointed by the court for that purpose, or by any other person who is not a party and is not less than 18 years of age. Hawaii does not require statewide licensing or certification for process servers. A registration program was explored under a 2013 legislative working group but the provision was repealed on June 30, 2020 (HRS § 634-21). Process may be served anywhere within the state, and the person serving process must make proof of service promptly and within the time during which the person served must respond. When service is made by a person specially appointed by the court or by an authorized process server, that person must make an affidavit of service. Hawaii’s unique island geography means process servers must be familiar with inter-island logistics and local court procedures across all four judicial circuits.
Hawaii Legal Resource Centre
Serving documents in Hawaii requires compliance with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure and Hawaii Revised Statutes. Below are answers to common questions regarding service of process in this state.
Frequently Asked Questions (Hawaii)
What is the Small Claims limit in Hawaii?
The Small Claims limit in Hawaii is $5,000 under HRS § 633-27. Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court. Attorneys are permitted except in landlord-tenant security deposit cases. There is no dollar limit on security deposit disputes. Counterclaims up to $40,000 are allowed. No formal written answer is required from the defendant. Small claims decisions cannot be appealed, but the court may alter or set aside a judgment if an application is made within ten days. The Regular Claims Division of the District Court handles civil claims up to $40,000 under HRS § 604-5.
Who can serve process in Hawaii?
Under HRCP Rule 4(c), service of all process may be made anywhere in the state by the sheriff, by the chief of police, by some other person specifically appointed by the court for that purpose, or by any other person who is not a party and is not less than 18 years of age. Hawaii does not require licensing or certification for process servers. The person serving process must make proof of service promptly, and when service is made by a court-appointed person or authorized process server, an affidavit of service is required.
What are the rules for substitute service in Hawaii?
Under HRCP Rule 4(d)(1), if the individual cannot be found, service may be made by leaving copies of the summons and complaint at the individual’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion residing therein. Service may also be made by delivering a copy to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. For corporations, service may be made upon an officer, a managing or general agent, or any other agent authorized to receive service. Service by publication may be ordered by a judge or clerk of the court when the person to be served cannot be found within the state after due diligence.
Comprehensive Services in Hawaii
We offer a full suite of legal support services across Hawaii, including:
- Professional process serving for all document types
- Court filing and document retrieval
- Skip tracing and locate services
- Rush and same-day service (where available)
- Sworn Affidavit of Service for every serve
Coverage Area
Our Hawaii network covers the entire state, including Honolulu, Maui, and the Big Island, as well as communities across all four of Hawaii’s counties: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.
All Hawaii Locations (A-Z)
Click on a city below to connect with our local process server:
- Ewa Beach Process Servers — Serving Honolulu County (Oahu)
- Wailuku Process Servers — Serving Maui County
Do you offer rush service in Hawaii?
Yes, same-day and next-day rush service is often available in Hawaii’s major population centers. We recommend calling or emailing us first to confirm availability so we can prioritize your file immediately.
Contact Information
United States Process Serving Corp
Phone: 1-800-465-7378
Website: www.unitedstatesprocessserving.com