What this service is
Massachusetts Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c) allows service by a person specially appointed by the court for that purpose. An appointment is made by court order in a specific case, usually on a motion by the party or their attorney.
An order defines who may serve, in which case, and sometimes which documents and which recipients. We read the order closely and serve only within its terms.
What to provide
- The signed order of appointment (or, if pending, the filed motion — the assignment cannot proceed until the order is signed)
- The documents the order authorizes to be served
- Recipient names and service addresses
- Any deadline set by the court or the rules
Forms for this service
Download the blank PDF, or fill it in your browser and download a completed copy. Signature, issuer and notary sections are completed by hand.
Motion asking the court to appoint a named individual as special process server under Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(c).
Proposed order to accompany the motion. The court completes the ruling and signature.
Templates are general forms, not legal advice. Each form page explains who signs it and how. Browse the full Document Center.
Who typically requests it
How intake works
- Step 1
Complete the court-appointed service form
Answer the questions for this document and upload the complete set. You can save and finish later.
- 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.
- Step 3
Review
We compare the order with the request: the named server, the case caption, the documents and the recipients. If the order is pending or its terms don’t match the request, we tell you before any work begins.
- 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.
- Step 5
Attempts and completion record
Attempts follow the accepted plan. You receive status updates and the applicable return or completion record.
Important limitations
- Whether to seek an appointment is a decision for the party and their counsel; we cannot advise on it.
- The motion and proposed order templates in the Document Center are conveniences, not official court forms, and the court decides whether to allow a motion.
