Civil Constable's principal, Ans Ishfaq, is a constable appointed by the Town of Stow, Massachusetts. That makes Stow the town where we can act as a constable under Massachusetts law. As a constable in Stow, we serve civil process, eviction (summary process) papers, and notices and demands, documented with a constable's return. This page explains what a Stow constable may serve, the limits that apply, the courts that serve Stow, and how to request service.

General information, not legal advice. Civil Constable is not a law firm.

What a constable can serve in Stow

Under G.L. c. 41, § 92, a bonded constable may serve within the appointing town:

  • Civil process in personal actions (such as a summons and complaint) where the damages are not laid at more than $7,000, for a constable bonded at $5,000 or more. Civil Constable's constable bond meets that level.
  • Replevin process where the property does not exceed $7,000 in value, at the same bond level.
  • Any writ or other process under chapter 239 (summary process), which covers the eviction summons and complaint.

Separately, under G.L. c. 41, § 94, constables may serve demands, notices and citations by attested copy, and their returns are prima facie evidence of that service. For Stow landlords, this covers notices to quit and other written notices.

The authority is within Stow. If the person you need served lives or works outside Stow, a different source of authority is needed for court process. See Constables and process servers in Massachusetts. Subpoenas are the exception: any non-party adult may serve one, so we review those across Massachusetts. See Subpoena service in Massachusetts.

Courts that serve Stow

According to the Massachusetts court system, cases involving Stow are heard in:

  • Concord District Court, 305 Walden St., Concord
  • Northeast Housing Court, Lowell session
  • Middlesex Superior Court
  • Middlesex Probate and Family Court, North (Lowell)
  • Middlesex County Juvenile Court, Framingham session
  • Land Court

Your paperwork may come from one of these courts, but what matters for a constable is where the person is served. Service in Stow is within the appointment.

For Stow landlords: notices to quit and eviction papers

  • Notice to quit. We deliver your signed notice and, for nonpayment, the required state form (G.L. c. 186, § 31), with a written return. See Notice to quit in Massachusetts.
  • Summary process summons and complaint. For a Stow rental, the eviction summons can be served by a Stow constable under G.L. c. 41, § 92. It must be served no later than the seventh day and no earlier than the thirtieth day before the Monday entry day, and not before the tenancy has ended (Uniform Summary Process Rule 2). See The Massachusetts eviction process.

Have a Stow notice or eviction papers to serve? Request notice to quit delivery or request summary process service. More about our notice to quit service and summary process service.

For attorneys: summons and complaint service in Stow

For a defendant in Stow, we can serve a summons and complaint in a personal action where damages are not laid above $7,000, and replevin process within the same limit. Rule 4(d)(1) allows service in hand, at the defendant's last and usual place of abode, or on an authorized agent. Rule 4(j) requires service within 90 days after the complaint is filed. Above $7,000, or for an address outside Stow, use a sheriff or a court-appointed special process server.

Request summons and complaint service · Constable service of process · Massachusetts civil process under Rule 4

How we handle a Stow request

Every request is reviewed before it's accepted. We check:

  • the document
  • that the service address is in Stow
  • the amount at stake
  • the deadline

If the appointment doesn't cover the assignment, we tell you before any work begins. Accepted assignments come with documented attempts and a constable's return through the client portal.

Frequently asked questions

Is Civil Constable a Stow constable?

Yes. Our principal, Ans Ishfaq, holds a constable appointment from the Town of Stow.

Can a Stow constable serve papers in other towns?

Not civil process under G.L. c. 41, § 92, which authorizes service within the appointing town. Subpoenas and notices follow different rules.

What is the most a Stow constable can serve?

With a bond of at least $5,000, personal actions where damages are not laid above $7,000, replevin up to $7,000 in value, and any summary process under chapter 239 (G.L. c. 41, § 92).

Which court handles evictions in Stow?

The Massachusetts court system lists Northeast Housing Court (Lowell session) and Concord District Court among the courts serving Stow.

Official sources

Reviewed October 2026.

Topics: ConstablesLandlordsStow