DCWP - Process Server Individual License Application Checklist

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Process Server Individual


Process Server Individual License Application Checklist

Who Must Have a Process Server Individual License?

You must have a Process Server Individual license if you serve personally or by substituted service five (5) or more processes in any one-year period.

You do not need a Process Server Individual license if:

You are an attorney admitted to practice in New York State.

You are an employee of a city, state, or federal department or agency acting within the scope of your employment.

This description is only a general explanation of which individuals need to have a Process Server Individual license.

Quick List of Requirements to Apply for a Process Server Individual License

See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.

Basic Individual License Application

Photo Identification (ID) of License Applicant

Process Server Individual Background Information Form

One Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant

Process Server Individual Bond Requirement

Roster of Process Serving Agencies

Process Server Individual Exam and $75 Exam Fee

Electronic Device Certification

Recordkeeping Certification

Fingerprints and Processing Fee

Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable)

License Fee

Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.

Requirements

DCWP will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:

Basic Individual License Application
Online submission: After reviewing the application requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.
In-person submission: Download the Basic Individual License Application Form.

Photo Identification (ID) of License Applicant
Acceptable forms of ID include:

U.S.-issued driver’s license or non-driver’s license identification

License or permit issued by a government agency

Passport

Alien card/green card

City, State, or Federal employee ID card

Municipal ID card

Process Server Individual Background Information Form (download)

One Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant.
In Person: DCWP will photograph license applicants at no cost in the DCWP Licensing Center. Applicants can also submit a current color passport-size photograph.
Online: License applicants can upload an image file of digital passport photo quality. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel is adequate.

Process Server Individual Bond Requirement
Process server individuals must post a surety bond for the duration of the license period. Submit ONE of the following as proof of bond requirement:

Copy of $10,000 Surety Bond, properly signed
The copy of the bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. Your name and address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period. See License Fee section for expiration date. Download a Surety Bond model template
Download a list of bonding companies. Note: The list is not exhaustive, and DCWP does not endorse or recommend any particular bonding company.

OR

Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form (download) AND Proof of Bond Denials
If you are unable to obtain a bond, you must pay into a Trust Fund established by DCWP. Submit the following documents:

Completed Process Server Individual Trust Fund Enrollment Form. The fee for joining the Trust Fund is $1,000.

Copies of applications submitted to TWO different surety bond companies

ORIGINAL denial letters from the two sureties

OR

Process Server Individual Employee Bond Exemption (download)
If you serve process exclusively as an employee of a process serving agency:

Your agency must complete the Process Server Individual Employee Bond Exemption Certification

You must submit a copy of the Process Serving Agency's bond.

Roster of Process Serving Agencies (download)

Process Server Individual Exam and $75 Exam Fee.
You must schedule an appointment with ExamBuilder to take the Process Server Individual Exam.
IMPORTANT:

You can schedule the exam 24 hours after DCWP has processed your completed license application, which includes required documents and fees. You cannot schedule the exam until DCWP has received and processed required documents and payments. Once DCWP has processed your application, it takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system.

You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information appears in ExamBuilder’s system. You have a total of two attempts to pass the exam.

Test Centers are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week in multiple locations citywide. ExamBuilder can confirm available locations when you schedule your exam.

You can schedule the exam in ONE of two ways:

Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue.

You can find Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt.

By phone: (646) 974-8244

Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions. You must answer a minimum of 21 questions correctly to pass. The fee is $75. The exam fee is separate from the license fee and is nonrefundable. If you fail the exam twice, you must reapply for the license, which means paying the license, exam, and fingerprinting fees, and being fingerprinted again.
Note:

DCWP prepared Educational Materials for Process Servers that include relevant City and State laws and rules you need to know to serve process properly. Materials are not a “study guide” exclusively for the exam.

An additional resource is the New York City Marshals HandBook of Regulations, in particular Chapter IV, Section 2-2 and Section 5.

Download the Frequently Asked Questions: Exams.

Electronic Device Certification (download)

Recordkeeping Certification (download)

Fingerprints and Processing Fee.
License Applicants must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted:

Visit uenroll.identogo.com

Enter:

Service Code. Enter 1585J9

Agency ID. Enter numbers only from Application Number. Application Number is on your receipt or confirmation letter when you apply online. Example: For Application Number 1234567-2023-AHIC, enter only 12345672023 as Agency ID.

Follow the instructions and pay the required fee(s).

IMPORTANT: Anyone required to be fingerprinted should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to complete this requirement.

Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (download)
If this application will be filed by someone other than the license applicant, the license applicant must submit a Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

License Fee.
License Period: 2 years | Expiration Date: February 28, Even Years.

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:
License Fee Option 1
License Fee Option 2

From March 1* in an even year to August 31 in an even year
*Or February 29 in a leap year
Pay $340 for a license expiring February 28 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)
N/A

From September 1 in an even year to February 28 in an odd year
Pay $255 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)
N/A

From March 1 in an odd year to August 31 in an odd year
Pay $170 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)
N/A

From September 1 in an odd year to February 28 in an even year
Pay $85 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)
Pay $425 for a license expiring February 28 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

○ Check or money order payable to DCWP. (In person)
○ Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only). You will be charged a nonrefundable Convenience Fee. (In person or online)

Application Filing Process

File Online

Review requirements and gather all materials.

Click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.

Important: If you need to file another license application, return to the Apply for a DCWP License page to read requirements and proceed to the next online application.

OR

File In Person
Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center

DCWP LICENSING CENTER
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

NYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER
90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11435
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

By Email: LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov
By Phone*: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
*This number is to schedule an appointment for in-person service only. For general questions, email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov.

Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.

Additional Resources for Process Server Individuals

For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.

Visit nyc.gov/processserver for DCWP’s Process Server Portal. Use the Portal to submit Certification Concerning Service in Housing Court, Traverse Reports, and Roster Updates.

Annual Audit and Certification Concerning Service in Housing Court.
Twice a year, each licensed process server is required by law to submit electronically to DCWP a certification stating whether the licensed process server has served at least one summons, subpoena, notice, citation, or other process directing an appearance or response to a legal proceeding or administrative proceeding in housing court for the prior half-calendar year. (For example, at the beginning of 2022, each licensed process server must provide the relevant information for July-December 2021.)
Note:

DCWP will email licensed process servers about the annual audit, including how to electronically submit certification via DCWP’s Process Server Portal.

You must provide an active (regularly used) email address to DCWP to receive emails about the annual audit. You must complete and submit certification right away after receiving an email from DCWP.

New York City Process Server’s Registry Ledger
This is a bound paginated book that records all services and attempted services in compliance with New York State General Business Law § 89-cc and Admin. Code § 20.406.3. On May 9, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law a bill amending New York State General Business Law Section 89-cc to no longer require the maintenance of bound paginated records of attempted and effected services if a process server maintains electronic records. The effective date of this amendment is June 8, 2022.

Electronic Records
Process server individuals who choose to maintain electronic records with a third party contractor must produce upon request by DCWP, a copy of the electronic records in an MS Excel spreadsheet containing the fields and data format set forth in 6 RCNY Section 2-233(a)(2) that is certified to be true and accurate. Download the spreadsheet.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Electronic Devices
Download a list of software companies that provide electronic devices with GPS. The companies have represented that they provide software and services that comply with the Rules. The list must not be considered a recommendation of any company, or a complete listing. All applicants are advised to investigate and compare these and other companies. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.

Traverse Reports
Under New York City law, licensed process servers and process serving agencies must report a scheduled traverse hearing (hearing contesting service) to DCWP within 10 days of receiving oral or written notice. See Title 6, Rules of the City of New York § 2-236(c). You must use DCWP’s Process Server Portal to submit your Traverse Reports.

For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/business.

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