Service of Process
Done Right. On Time.
R&J Investigative Services provides professional process serving across Utah — including evasive and hard-to-locate defendants. We combine licensed investigative skip tracing with experienced field service to get your documents served when standard attempts fail.
At a Glance
Deadline approaching?
Rush service is available for time-sensitive matters. Call us directly and we'll do everything we can to meet your deadline.
Defendant avoiding service?
We combine licensed skip tracing with field service to locate and serve evasive parties — something standard process servers can't do.
Outside your county?
We serve statewide across all Utah counties — Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Washington, Cache, and beyond. One call covers the state.
Process serving for every situation
We offer standard service, rush service, and evasive party service — with licensed investigative support when needed to locate defendants who aren't making themselves easy to find.
Routine process serving
Standard service for individuals and businesses at known addresses. We make multiple attempts at varied times and days, document each attempt, and provide a notarized proof of service affidavit upon successful service. Typical turnaround is 3–5 business days.
Expedited service
When a hearing date, statute of limitations, or other deadline requires faster action, rush service is available at an additional fee. Call us directly to discuss your deadline and we'll advise on what's achievable.
Skip trace & serve
When standard service fails because a defendant has moved, is avoiding service, or cannot be located at their last known address — we locate them first using licensed investigative methods, then coordinate service at the confirmed address.
Alternate & substitute service
When personal service cannot be completed after reasonable attempts, we document each failed attempt in the manner required for a motion to allow substitute service — supporting your court application for alternate service methods.
Entity & registered agent service
Service on corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities — on registered agents, officers, or authorized agents as permitted under Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
Multi-county & statewide service
We handle service across all Utah counties without requiring you to find a different process server for each jurisdiction. One contact, one invoice, statewide coverage for complex multi-party cases.
Documents and legal papers we handle
We serve a full range of civil, family, and commercial legal documents across all Utah courts and practice areas.
Summons and complaints
Divorce and separation petitions
Custody and parent-time motions
Protective and restraining orders
Subpoenas — fact and expert witnesses
Eviction and unlawful detainer notices
Small claims court documents
Judgment and garnishment papers
Deposition notices
Demand letters and notices
Probate and estate notices
Workers' comp hearing notices
Collection and debt action papers
Commercial and contract dispute filings
Injunctions and temporary restraining orders
Business entity and registered agent service
When standard service fails,
we locate and serve
Most process servers show up at the last known address, fail three times, and file a non-service return. That stalls your case and leaves you back at square one with a motion to extend time for service.
R&J is different. As a licensed investigative firm, we can combine skip tracing with process serving — locating an evasive or relocated defendant using licensed investigative methods, confirming their current address, and coordinating service at the verified location.
This means fewer non-service returns, fewer continuances, and fewer motions for alternate service — your case moves forward on schedule.
Standard service attempted
We attempt service at the address provided. If successful, we return a notarized affidavit. If not, we proceed to investigate.
Skip trace initiated
We conduct a licensed investigative skip trace — cross-referencing public records, court databases, utility connections, and other sources to develop the defendant's current address.
Address confirmed
We verify the located address before attempting service — reducing wasted field attempts on unconfirmed leads.
Service completed
We serve the defendant at the confirmed location and return a complete, notarized affidavit documenting the service details.
Non-service documentation if needed
If service cannot be completed after all efforts, we provide complete documentation of all attempts — formatted to support your motion for alternate service.
Submitting a service request
Getting documents served through R&J is straightforward. Here's what to expect from submission through completed service.
Submit your request
Call us or submit your request by email with the documents to be served, the subject's name and last known address, any deadline or hearing date, and any additional information you have — prior addresses, vehicle description, known employment, or schedule. The more we know, the faster we move.
We confirm scope and fee
We confirm the service type, coverage area, timeline, and fee before beginning. Standard service runs 3–5 business days. Rush service carries an additional fee and is available for time-sensitive matters — we'll confirm the adjusted timeline when you call.
Field service attempted
We make service attempts at varied times and days — mornings, evenings, and weekends when appropriate — to maximize the chance of locating the subject. Every attempt is logged with date, time, and observations.
You receive real-time updates
We notify you immediately upon successful service — not at the end of the week. If service attempts are producing complications or if we're initiating a skip trace, we keep you informed so you can make decisions about timing and alternate service options.
Proof of service delivered
Upon successful service, we return a complete, notarized affidavit of service formatted for filing with the Utah courts — including the name of the person served, manner of service, date, time, and physical location. If service could not be completed, we provide full documentation of all attempts.
Utah Rules of Civil Procedure compliance
All process serving is conducted in compliance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure governing service of process, including Rules 4 and 5. We are fully licensed under Utah Code Title 53, Chapter 9. Our affidavits of service are formatted for filing in Utah district courts, justice courts, and small claims courts. We do not serve documents in ways that would render service defective under Utah law.
What your proof of service includes
Every completed service returns a notarized affidavit formatted for immediate court filing — no additional documentation required from your office.
Notarized Affidavit of Service
A sworn, notarized statement by the process server documenting the date, time, location, manner of service, and identity of the person served — formatted for filing in Utah courts.
Failed Attempt Log
For each unsuccessful attempt, a complete log of date, time, address visited, and observations — formatted to support motions for extension of time or alternate service.
Skip Trace Documentation
When a locate-and-serve engagement is conducted, we provide documentation of the investigative methods used to confirm the subject's current address — available for court disclosure if required.
Photo Documentation
On request, we can provide photographic documentation of the service location and, where appropriate, the service event — useful for contested service or evasive party cases.
Investigator Declaration
For contested service matters, our process servers are available to provide sworn declarations or testimony regarding the manner and circumstances of service — coordinated with your litigation schedule.
Same-Day Notification
We notify you by phone or email immediately upon completed service — not on a weekly reporting cycle. You know when service is done the moment it happens.
Process serving across Utah
Common process serving situations
These are the most common scenarios that bring attorneys and legal staff to R&J for process serving support.
Defendant known to be avoiding service
A civil defendant has been tipped off that a lawsuit is coming and is actively avoiding service. Standard attempts have failed. We conduct a skip trace, confirm current address and routine, and coordinate service at the optimal time and location.
Last known address is no longer valid
A divorce petition needs to be served on a respondent who moved without providing a forwarding address. We locate the current address through investigative research and serve within the standard window, with rush options available if deadlines require it.
Hearing scheduled — service not yet completed
An attorney has a hearing approaching and documents haven't been served. Rush service is available — call us directly so we can assess whether the deadline is achievable and get moving immediately.
Witness subpoena for trial or deposition
A key witness needs to be subpoenaed for a deposition scheduled in two weeks. We locate the witness, confirm their current address, and complete personal service with affidavit returned to counsel within the standard window.
Multiple defendants across different counties
A commercial litigation case involves defendants in Salt Lake, Utah, and Washington counties. Rather than coordinating three different process servers, the attorney submits one request to R&J for statewide coverage under one invoice.
Building a record for substitute service motion
An attorney needs to file a motion for alternate service but needs documented evidence of reasonable attempts at personal service. We provide a complete log of all attempts formatted to support the motion under Utah R. Civ. P. 4.
More than a process server
Standard process servers have one tool: show up at the address you give them. When that doesn't work, they file a non-service return and leave the problem back on your desk. Here's what makes R&J different.
Licensed investigators, not just servers
Our process servers are backed by a full licensed investigative firm. When service fails because a party has moved or is evading, we have the tools and legal authority to locate them — not just the ability to knock on a door.
Skip trace integrated at no extra delay
When a locate-and-serve is needed, we don't hand off to a third party. Our investigators and servers work within the same firm — which means faster turnaround and better communication at every step.
Immediate notification on service
You hear from us the moment service is completed — by phone or email, that day. Not on Friday's batch report. Your office can file the confirmation and move the case forward without waiting.
Court-ready affidavits every time
Every affidavit of service is notarized, formatted to Utah court requirements, and ready for immediate filing — no reformatting or additional processing by your paralegal required.
Statewide — one contact, one invoice
We cover all Utah counties under one engagement. No coordinating with multiple servers across jurisdictions, no separate invoices per county, no gaps in communication.
Non-service documentation that works
When service cannot be completed, our non-service documentation is thorough enough to support a motion for substitute service — not a one-line "not found at address" return.
Frequently asked questions
How long does standard service take?
Standard service typically takes 3–5 business days from when we receive the documents and service information. Rush service is available at an additional fee for time-sensitive matters — call us directly to discuss your deadline and we'll advise on what's achievable.
What happens if the address I provide is wrong or outdated?
We document our attempt at the address provided and notify you immediately. At that point we can initiate a skip trace to locate the subject's current address — either as a combined service or as a separate engagement. We'll advise you on the fastest path to completed service given your deadline.
How many attempts do you make before returning a non-service affidavit?
We typically make a minimum of three attempts at varied times and days before discussing alternate service options with your office. For evasive parties, we may make additional attempts combined with pre-service surveillance to identify the subject's routine. We don't give up after one try.
Can you serve documents on a business or registered agent?
Yes. We serve corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities — on registered agents, officers, managers, or other authorized agents as permitted under Utah R. Civ. P. 4(d). We'll confirm the correct service recipient before attempting service on any entity.
What do I need to provide when submitting a service request?
At minimum: the documents to be served, the subject's full name and last known address, your deadline or hearing date, and the best contact for your office. Additional information — prior addresses, vehicle description, employer, known schedule — improves our success rate. You can submit by phone or email and we'll confirm receipt and next steps promptly.
How is process serving priced?
Standard service is priced per attempt with a flat fee structure. Rush service carries an additional fee. Locate-and-serve engagements are priced to include both the investigative skip trace component and the field service — confirmed upfront before we begin. We provide transparent pricing with no hidden charges or surprise fees.
Need documents served?
Call us or submit your request by email. Standard service runs 3–5 business days — rush service available for urgent matters.