Serving the other party (and proof of service)

The law requires that your spouse be formally notified that a case has been filed. This is "service of process," and courts take it seriously — skip it or do it wrong and your case can stall.

Common ways to serve

• Sheriff or process server hands the papers to your spouse
• Certified mail, where allowed
• Your spouse signs a waiver or acknowledgement accepting the papers (common in amicable cases)

You generally cannot serve the papers yourself by handing them over — a neutral adult or official usually must do it.

Proof of service

Whoever serves the papers fills out a proof (or affidavit) of service, which you file with the court. That proof is what shows the judge the other side was properly notified.

Your state's rules set the details — check your forms page, and CaseForward can add service of process as a paid add-on if you'd rather not arrange it yourself.