How much does a process server cost?

Process serving is priced per job, not per hour, and the cost can vary a lot. These are the main factors.

What affects the price

• Location and distance. A single address on the Gold Coast costs less than a remote address.
• Urgency. Rush or same-day instructions cost more.
• Number of people or addresses to serve.
• Number of attempts needed. A cooperative person served at the first visit is cheaper than someone who is hard to find.
• Extras such as skip tracing, a detailed field report or an affidavit.

How to keep the cost down

1. Give complete instructions the first time: full names, all known addresses, workplaces and a photo if you have one.
2. Tell us the deadline. Matters with more time can be planned efficiently.
3. Make sure the documents are complete and ready. Resending a corrected document means a second attendance.
4. Ask for a quote before work starts, and ask what is included.

Costs you may be able to recover

In some matters, reasonable service costs can be claimed back as part of the costs of the proceeding. Ask your solicitor whether this applies to you.