Frequently Asked Questions

No. Submission confirms that we received your request for review. An assignment is accepted only after its document, location, timing, authority and operational requirements have been reviewed and you have approved the written scope or quote. You receive a reference number immediately and an email confirming receipt.

Civil Constable is a Massachusetts civil process and constable services business. Requests from across Massachusetts are welcome for review, and documents are submitted securely online — there is no walk-in office. Each assignment is reviewed for the authority that applies to it. See Coverage and Authority or contact us.

Not automatically — it depends on the document and the source of authority. Under G.L. c. 41, § 92, a constable’s statutory authority to serve civil process applies within the appointing city or town. Some documents can lawfully be served by others — for example, Massachusetts civil subpoenas may be served by a non-party adult under Rule 45(c) — and a court can appoint a special process server under Rule 4(c). An assignment may be accepted under applicable authority, may require a court order or other authorization, or may be referred. See Coverage and Authority.

No. We can agree to a lawful attempt plan and a communication standard, but we can’t control a recipient’s availability, and we can’t guarantee personal service, court acceptance or a particular legal outcome.

Rush requests receive priority review, but availability isn’t confirmed until the complete documents, service location, deadline, authority, travel and current capacity have been evaluated. A request marked urgent is not automatically accepted. Use the rush request form, then call us if your deadline is within hours.

The next step depends on the accepted attempt plan, the information available and your instructions. We record each attempt and report it to you through the agreed method. An attempt is never reported as completed service. Questions about alternative legal procedures should go to your attorney or the court.

No. Civil Constable is not a law firm and does not select legal forms, calculate legal deadlines or provide legal strategy. For legal guidance, contact a licensed Massachusetts attorney. The Massachusetts courts also offer free procedural help through Court Service Centers.

Some are and some aren’t, and each form is labelled. The federal AO 88-series subpoenas are official forms published by the U.S. Courts. The Massachusetts subpoena, notice and motion templates were prepared by Civil Constable for convenience; they are not official court forms and have not been approved by any court. Review them with your attorney before use.

Yes. Every form with a signature line can be signed on screen on its Fill and Send page: draw your signature with a finger, stylus or mouse, or type it as an “/s/” signature. It is placed on the form’s signature line, the PDF is locked, and a signing record (name, date and time, device and a fingerprint of the file) is stored with your submission. You can also print, sign by hand and upload a photo or scan instead.

Whether an on-screen signature is enough depends on the document. Subpoenas are signed by the issuing clerk, notary, justice of the peace or attorney; sworn certifications need a notary; and federal electronic-signature law excludes eviction notices for a primary residence. Each form explains who signs it — when in doubt, sign by hand and ask your attorney.

No. Upload sensitive documents through the secure request form or your portal. Uploaded files are encrypted at rest and are not attached to ordinary emails. Use email and the contact form only for non-sensitive questions.

PDF, Word (.docx), JPG and PNG, up to 20 MB each. On an iPhone or Android phone you can photograph paper documents directly from the upload button; photos are converted to JPG and location data is removed. Word files with macros, and PDFs with embedded files or launch actions, are refused for safety.

Yes. Choose “Save and finish later” on any step and we’ll email you a private link that reopens your answers for 14 days. Uploaded files aren’t saved in drafts — attach them before you submit.

Sign in to the client portal with Google, a password, or a single-use link emailed to the address you used on your request. You don’t need to create an account first — an emailed link works for existing customers. The portal shows each request’s status, messages, the quote and any completion records shared with you, and lets you start new requests with a guided assistant.

Pricing depends on the document, address, distance, deadline, number of recipients, attempt plan, mailing requirements, witness fees, wait time, return method and any rush handling. Submit the assignment details to receive a written quote. Any statutory fee component is identified separately from operational charges. See Pricing Factors.

Work begins only after you accept the written quote and any required payment or authorization is received. Repeat-client or monthly billing arrangements require separate approval and are not created automatically by submitting an assignment.