Constable Service of Process in Massachusetts

What this service is

A Massachusetts constable’s authority to serve civil writs and process comes from the city or town that appoints them. Under G.L. c. 41, § 92, a bonded constable may serve certain civil process within the appointing municipality, up to dollar limits set by the amount of the constable’s bond. Process under chapter 239 (summary process) is included.

Every request is reviewed individually — the document, the service address, the amount at issue, the court and the deadline all affect whether the assignment can be accepted under the constable appointment, needs other authority such as a court order, or should be referred.

Helping us find the recipient

Massachusetts addresses range from dense city blocks to rural roads where homes sit back from the street, driveways are shared and some properties are seasonal or hard to identify.

Clear address details help: the full street address with unit, any landmark or driveway description, gate or access information you are lawfully able to share, and the best days or times to find the recipient.

What to provide

• The complete document set to be served, including every exhibit and attachment
• Court name, division and case or docket number, when the document comes from a court case
• The recipient’s full legal name (and the registered agent, for a business)
• The complete service address, including unit or building
• The service deadline, return date, hearing date or entry date

Who typically requests it

• Attorneys and paralegals
• Landlords and property managers
• Businesses and agencies
• Self-represented parties with documents already prepared

How intake works

1. Step 1

   Complete the constable service of process form

   Answer the questions for this document and upload the complete set. You can save and finish later.

2. Step 2

   Receive your reference number

   You and Civil Constable both receive an email confirmation. Your request is now in the review queue — not yet accepted.

3. Step 3

   Review

   We check that the documents are complete and legible, that the service address and the type of process fall within the constable’s statutory authority (including any amount at issue), and that the timeline is workable. If the assignment can be accepted you receive a written scope and quote before any work begins.

4. Step 4

   Scope, quote and authorization

   If the assignment can be accepted, you review and authorize the written scope and quote in your portal. Work begins after authorization.

5. Step 5

   Attempts and completion record

   Attempts follow the accepted plan. You receive status updates and the applicable return or completion record.

Important limitations

• Submission is a request for review. It is not acceptance of the assignment.
• A constable’s statutory authority depends on the appointing municipality, the document and the amount at issue; some matters require a sheriff, a deputy sheriff or a court-appointed server instead.
• Personal (in-hand) service cannot be guaranteed. Attempts follow the accepted plan and applicable rules.
• CIVIL CONSTABLE does not prepare legal documents, choose forms or calculate legal deadlines.