What's the Difference Between A Mobile Notary and A Process Server?

Blog originally published on April 26, 2016. Updated on October 7, 2022.

Legal situations are tough situations. There are a ton of ins and outs to know, especially if you're not a licensed attorney or familiar with the law and who does what. One very important aspect of any legal situation the may come up for individuals closing mortgages or handling a court case is dealing with the legal documents. That's where it's best to know the differences between a mobile notary and process server.

Both of these are neutral third parties that help people resolve court cases and conflicts in a legal manner. But what are the different responsibilities of process serving and notary services? Here's the difference between the two legal travelers:

What Does A Mobile Notary Do?

Notaries in general are people who are authorized to draw up or certify certain legal documents for other jurisdictions, including deeds and contracts for the local court system. As for a mobile notary, they are able to travel to meet with clients and individuals in need of on-site notarizing. This is something that is normally done multiple times per day for an individual notary and their services are crucial for a wide range of situations. It'll also cost a small, standard notary fee.

What Does A Process Server Do?

Process servers are most well known for traveling and serving individuals — normally defendants in a court case — with a legal document to alert the person of the case and the legal action taken against them. But this is not all that they handle. Process servers can also handle filing court papers (such as divorce papers and other documents), document retrieval, and even finding a client's location or current address with skip tracing or the help of a private investigator. As for the laws and regulations a server must abide by, they differ state-by-state.

Where the two meet is when the process server needs to verify their delivery by having their affidavit of service notarized and given to the individual or company that required the serving. This is all part of the legal process, where proof is important every step of way!

Need Helping Notarizing or Serving Legal Documents? Call Same Day Process Now

If you're an individual or a company looking to serve legal documents or are in need of a legal formality to be notarized, contact the experts at Same Day Process today! Our mobile notaries and process servers have extensive experience.

5 Tips For Being a Better Process Server

Just like people, not every process service is the same. Some people are harder to hand papers off to than others. Many defendants believe that avoiding a process server means their legal troubles go away (this is false). This myth leads some people...

A Story of Patience and Persistence

The doctor we were trying to serve had been an enigma for over a month. Our servers made several unsuccessful attempts to serve him at his office in White Plains, MD. His door was always locked and no sound heard from within. The receptionist in the...

"Known to Serve the Impossible" - The Frank Fitzsimmons Service

Many years ago, when I owned San Diego Attorney Service, I was contacted by the president of a national trucking magazine who informed me that they had been trying for more than a year to personally serve Frank Fitzsimmons, the boss of the Teamsters...

Same Day Process Service: Open for Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite these challenging times, we want to let you know that we’re taking additional steps to ensure that we continue to deliver fast and accurate results, even through COVID-19-related court closures and shelter in place...

How to Become a Successful Mobile Notary

Helping people is a great way to make a living. Mobile notaries have the chance to meet new people they will help daily. If you need a career that constantly changes pace so you won’t get bored, being a mobile notary may be for...

Differences Between TV Portrayals of Process Servers vs Real Life

Every year there are millions of court cases filed by attorneys and individuals in the United States. These high numbers mean that service of process/the notification system for people involved in a case is something that happens often. So, it is no...

The Life of a Process Server

Court proceedings move forward every day. Similarly, the legal system needs to notify people of a requirement to appear in court or to take note of legal action taking place. The people who make contact with the persons of interest are process...

How to Avoid Breaking the Law as a Process Server

Process servers have a tough job. They are responsible for delivering court documents to people. Many people being served have misconceptions that challenge the delivery process. Knowing the rules based on local and state laws is important for...

Do Employers Need to Allow Processes to be Served at Work?

Updated: August 8th 2024 Many people try to keep their personal and professional lives separate. While some people may discuss interest in TV shows and what their kids are doing after school, most will not discuss major issues in their personal...

Can I Avoid Being Served?

If you know you will be sued, do yourself a favor and DO NOT try to avoid the server. Many people think it’s a good idea - if they avoid the server, then they can prevent the case from moving forward. In reality, when a person physically...

4 Benefits of Using a Process Server for Eviction Notices

Dealing with troublesome tenants is a complicated and often precarious position. There are legal processes that must be respected to avoid problems in the future. A process server can help apartment management or a landlord in delivering legal...

The Must-Know Rules for Serving Processes on Holidays

The task of serving process involves many considerations that most people don’t consider. A server must be fair, firm, and respectful. They must think of their own safety while also making the individual they serve to feel calm. To effectively...

How to Serve Processes to Military Members

Members of the United States military often put their lives on the line to defend their country and its assets. Sometimes the courts will need to provide written documents to these active duty individuals for several reasons including a summons to...

Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients While Serving Processes

Process serving is never an easy job. Most of the challenge comes in locating the individual who needs to be given papers. The problem gets more complicated when the person is at a high-security location. It is not against the law to serve...

Prepare for Process Serving Wearing a Body Camera

A process server’s job is not easy. Servers deliver a summons to many folks who would prefer not to receive the court documents. As with most sectors, advances in technology have been and will continue to disrupt the process...

The Most Common Types of Affidavits

An Affidavit is a written testimony given under oath. Affidavits are only valid when given freely, without any coercion. To provide a legal affidavit, an individual needs to be of sound mind (lucid) and typical of legal age (over 18). The...

Tips for Staying Safe While Process Serving

Process serving is a necessary role that helps the legal system running efficiently. As beneficial as this role is, it also involves some inherent safety risks. There are safety concerns with many jobs, but a process server can interact with a...

Getting The Most Out Of Your Process Server

Many firms use process servers to deliver legal notices. When they are contracting with a private process server, there are some things that can make the whole process more efficient. No matter how busy a process server is, there are still ways to...

What Is A Sting Operation?

Sting operations are potentially valuable tools used in law enforcement and some government agencies. Sting operations are tools used by local, state, federal and international agencies often working together on resolving the commission of illegal...

Everything You Need To Know About Skip Tracing

Skip tracing involves locating someone. Most entrepreneurs, debt collectors, and investigators apply it regularly. Typically, private investigators handle numerous skip-tracing lawsuits each year. Read on to learn more about skip tracing, its...

Page: 1 234 5 6 - All