Quick Overview: 
• Who can serve? Licensed process servers or sheriff-appointed individuals. Florida does not  have statewide certification—rules vary by Judicial Circuit.
• Key steps: Check your Judicial Circuit’s requirements, complete necessary applications, and  get approved.
• Processing time: Varies by circuit; some require exams or background checks. 

General Requirements 

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Cannot have a felony conviction
• Some circuits require a background check, testing, and an oath
• Process servers may need to apply through the sheriff, court, or ABC Legal Motion and Orders
• If you are already licensed, please upload it to your ABC Legal profile: ABC Legal Process Server Self Registration Portal

1st Judicial Circuit – Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton 
 Process Servers | First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida 

2nd Judicial Circuit – Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla 
Exciting news for aspiring process servers and legal professionals! The 2nd Judicial Circuit is opening testing for process server license applications February 28th. 
 Florida's 2nd Judicial Circuit | Process Server Review Board (leoncountyfl.gov) 

3rd Judicial Circuit - Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor 
You can get licensed here: Civil Law – Court Administration (thirdcircuitfl.org) 

4th Judicial Circuit – Clay (Motion & Order) , Duval, Nassau
Clay County - we are able to set you up on a Motion & Order directly with our clients so that you can start getting work ASAP. Note it takes anywhere from 3-5 weeks for a M&O to be approved currently. 
Duval County does not license new Process Servers. Rules and information can be found at the bottom of this webpage: www.jaxsheriff.org - JaxSheriff.org 
Nassau County is Sheriff only, but allows licensed Process Servers in special cases. Contact information regarding licensing can be found here:  Civil Process Service Procedures and Fees | Nassau County Sheriff's Office 

5th Judicial Circuit – Cirtus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter
You can get licensed here: Process Server Program - Citrus, Marion, Lake, Sumter, Hernando  
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education

 
6th Judicial Circuit - Pasco & Pinellas
Open Enrollment for testing is February 22, 2025 
Pasco County Process Server Program 
Pinellas County Process Server Program 

7th Judicial Circuit – St. Johns, Volusia (Motion & Order), Flagler, Putnam (Motion & Order) 
In both Volusia & Putnam counties we are able to set you up on a Motion & Order directly with our clients so that you can start getting work ASAP. Note it takes anywhere from 3-5 weeks for a M&O to be approved currently.
Private Civil Service Program | Flagler County Sheriff's Office
Contact | St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

8th Judicial Circuit – Alachua (Motion & Order), Baker (Sheriff Only), Bradford (Motion & Order), Gilchrist (Motion & Order), Levy (Motion & Order), Union (Motion & Order)

• Process servers can be added to the Motion & Order list for approval by ABC Legal. 
• Counties eligible for Motion & Order approval:
  • Alachua, Clay, Bradford, Gilchrist, Jefferson, Levy, Putnam, Union, Volusia
  • Approval takes approximately 2-4 weeks.
  • Please email sholm@abclegal.com and advise which of the counties you intend to work in.
  • Once approved by the court, you can claim jobs in the mobile app.

9th Judicial Circuit - Orange & Osceola 
Exciting news for aspiring process servers and legal professionals! Orange and Osceola Florida Courts are opening testing for process server license applications the first week of March, and we want to help you get prepared!  
If you've signed up with us but don’t yet have your license, now is the time to take action.  
Orange & Osceola County Process Server Program - Open Enrollment for testing is March 1st, 2025 
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

10th Judicial Circuit - Hardee, Highlands, Polk 
You can get licensed here: Certified Process Servers | 10th Judicial Circuit Court (flcourts.org) 
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

11th Judicial Circuit - Dade County
You can get licensed here: Dade Process Server Program 

 
12th Judicial Circuit - Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto 

You can get licensed here: Certified Process Servers (flcourts.org)

 
13th Judicial Circuit - Hillsborough County 

You can get licensed here: Hillsborough County Process Server Program 

14th Judicial Circuit -Bay Certification Info (all others Sheriff only - Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, Gulf, Holmes) 
You can contact your county clerk here to obtain licensing: Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida | (flcourts.org) 
Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, Gulf, Holmes Counties - only Sheriffs are able to conduct Process Server work at this time. 

15th Judicial Circuit - Palm Beach County 
You can get licensed here: Palm Beach Process Server Program  
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

16th Judicial Circuit - Monroe County
You can get licensed here: Monroe County Process Server Program

17th Judicial Circuit - Broward 
You can get licensed here: Broward Sheriff Process Server Program  
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

18th Judicial Circuit - Brevard & Seminole 
18th Circuit Seminole & Brevard Process Server Program 

19th Judicial Circuit -  Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie 
Open Enrollment for testing is March 21st, 2025 
Process Servers | 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (circuit19.org) 
NEW Process Server Certification Procedure.pdf (circuit19.org) 
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

20th Judicial Circuit - Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee
You can get licensed here: Certified Process Servers (cjis20.org) 
For training, please contact FAPPS, the official provider: Process Server Education 

• Check your Judicial Circuit’s requirements (above).
• Some require registration, while others allow direct service under state law.

• Processing times vary. Some circuits approve applications within a week, while others require exams and additional steps

• Yes! If licensed or authorized in that circuit. Always verify before serving.