C.I.P.S. for Individuals: 

In general, A process server is a person who is licensed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety as an impartial third-party individual whose job is to deliver legal documents to individuals related to civil court proceedings. Process servers also handle other matters relating to civil cases to include, service of documents (deliver) to individuals, businesses or corporations (entity), serving court orders to seize personal and real property, sell property and deposit funds into the court to be disbursed to persons the court ruled is to receive funds, and other services as ordered by the court. Process servers also serve the necessary court orders to seize someone's permanent fund dividend. 

Additionally, process servers prepare affidavits and other documents to be filed with the court in a particular case. The basic affidavit form that process servers file is called a "Return of Service." This affidavit is sworn proof to the court that the process server delivered the particular court documents to the person or entity. 

There are a variety of Statutes, Court Rules, and Alaska Administrative Codes that process servers must follow to provide these services. Process servers are required to follow these rules. They are also required to maintain a $15,000 bond as a form of insurance to ensure that they will comply with these statutes, rules, and regulations. 

For more information about the Statutes, Rules, and Administrative Codes, click here. 

There are several documents in civil cases that the courts require proof of service. Some of these documents can be sent via certified mail. Other documents and actions (service of court orders) require a process server to serve. The basic documents when someone files a civil case with the courts (lawsuit) are a Complaint and a Summons. 

A complaint is simply what the plaintiff (person who sues another person) alleges the defendant (person being sued) did of which the plaintiff is seeking relief from the court (judgement). A summons, is a document that requires the defendant to respond to the complaint. Generally the summons requires the defendant to answer the complaint (state their side) within 20 days of receiving the Summons & Complaint. The Summons & Complaint can sometimes be served by first class mail or certified mail. Other times, a process server is required to serve the Summons & Complaint. 

A process server who is requested by the plaintiff, serves the Summons & Complaint on the defendant. The process server then prepares a "Return of Service" affidavit and files it with the court which details who was served, where they were served, the date and time of service, and other details. The process server charges a fee for this service. 

For further information about when process servers are needed, consult an attorney or talk to the clerk of court in the court you are filing your civil case.  You can also find informaiton about process service in the next section on this web page entitled, "Legal Resources."

The State of Alaska requires process servers to establish a fee schedule and make it available to the public. Generally, fees charged by process servers are recoverable by the judgment creditor in a case. The Judgment Creditor is the person who 'won' the lawsuit and was awarded a judgment. The fees from the process server can be added to the judgment amount in the case and the judgment creditor can recover those costs from the judgment debtor (the person who 'lost' the case and of whom is ordered by the court to pay). Alaska Administrative Code AdR Rule 11 establishes the maximum recoverable fees from a process server that can be recovered. Generally, process servers charge the maximum amount that is recoverable. 

Cook Inlet Professional Services, LLC has established a fee schedule with our basic service fees below the maximum recoverable amount often charged by other process servers. To view our fee schedule, see "C.I.P.S. Service Fees" in the link menu at the top of this web page under "Process Servces."

Additionally, Cook Inlet Professional Services, LLC has reduced fees for persons whose household income falls below 125% of the Federal Poverty Line for Alaska, for persons who are receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP/TANF) benefits,  or for US Military Veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 50% or greater. Contact our office to enquire about reduced fees for services at (907) 202-5622 (option 2).