United States Process Serving Corp provides professional and reliable process serving across Wisconsin. Our network of experienced process servers ensures your legal documents are delivered promptly and in full compliance with Wisconsin’s rules for service of process under Chapter 801 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Browse our Wisconsin locations below, and if you need service in a community that is not listed, contact us and we will arrange coverage for you.
Wisconsin Process Serving Laws
Service of process in Wisconsin is governed primarily by Chapter 801 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Wisconsin does not require process servers to hold a statewide license, bond, or certification. Under Wis. Stat. § 801.10, a summons may be served by any adult resident who is not a party to the action; when service is made within Wisconsin, the server must be an adult resident of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or Minnesota. The county sheriff or a deputy may also serve process. Personal service is made by delivering an authenticated copy of the summons to the defendant, and Wisconsin recognizes substitute service and service by publication where the requirements of the statute are met. Corporations and other entities are served through an officer, managing agent, or an agent authorized to accept service. Because proper service is essential to establishing personal jurisdiction, Wisconsin courts require a sworn affidavit of service detailing the time, date, place, and manner of service.
Wisconsin Legal Resource Centre
Serving documents in Wisconsin requires compliance with Chapter 801 (service of process) and Chapter 799 (small claims procedure) of the Wisconsin Statutes. Below are answers to common questions regarding service of process in this state.
Frequently Asked Questions (Wisconsin)
What is the Small Claims limit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s Small Claims Court, a division of the Circuit Court, handles claims for money judgments up to $10,000. Third-party complaints, personal injury claims, and other tort actions are limited to $5,000 or less, while eviction actions may be brought regardless of the amount of rent claimed. Small claims procedure is governed by Chapter 799 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and the base filing fee is approximately $22. Claims above the applicable limit must be filed in regular civil court.
Who can serve process in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not require process servers to be licensed, bonded, or registered at the state level. Under Wis. Stat. § 801.10, a summons may be served by any adult who is not a party to the action; for service made within Wisconsin, the server must be an adult resident of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or Minnesota. The county sheriff or a deputy may also serve process. Service must be made with reasonable diligence.
What are the rules for substitute service in Wisconsin?
When a defendant cannot be served personally with reasonable diligence, Wis. Stat. § 801.11 permits leaving an authenticated copy of the summons at the defendant’s usual place of abode, either in the presence of a competent family member at least 14 years of age who is informed of its contents, or in the presence of a competent adult who currently resides there. A copy must also be mailed to the defendant’s last known address. Where a defendant cannot be located, service by publication is available in the limited circumstances set out by statute.
Comprehensive Services in Wisconsin
We offer a full suite of legal support services across Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin network covers the entire state, including major metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha, as well as rural and suburban communities throughout Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
All Wisconsin Locations (A-Z)
Click on a city below to connect with our local process server:
- Beloit Process Servers — Serving Rock County
- Eau Claire Process Servers — Serving Eau Claire County
- Green Bay Process Servers — Serving Brown County
- Holmen Process Servers — Serving La Crosse County
- Janesville Process Servers — Serving Rock County
- La Crosse Process Servers — Serving La Crosse County
- Madison Process Servers — Serving Dane County
- Milwaukee Process Servers — Serving Milwaukee County
- Osceola Process Servers — Serving Polk County
- Rhinelander Process Servers — Serving Oneida County
- Waukesha Process Servers — Serving Waukesha County
Need service in a Wisconsin community not listed above? Contact us and we will arrange coverage anywhere in the state.
Do you offer rush service in Wisconsin?
Yes, same-day and next-day rush service is often available in Wisconsin’s major metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. 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