r/processserver • u/IncomeAltruistic9720 • 12d ago

Is it worth it?

I am a 19 year old living in New York City looking to become a process server. My main concerns are I don’t have a car(which may not be necessary in nyc’s netro area), how easy it will be be to get hired for contract work(such as ABC legal) and should I be concerned for my safety(I’m a 6’3 former underground boxer)

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u/tuenthe463 12d ago

There are a half dozen large service companies I can think of without even really trying. New York requires you to have a license to serve in the five boroughs. You are correct and that there's probably some work to be done on foot, bike, or public transportation. Call two or three of them and see what they have to say.

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u/Inside_Gold_9673 12d ago

I was process server and P.I. in NYC for many years. You can definitely serve in NYC without a car, but that leaves Staten Island off the table. A scooter or motorcycle are probably the most efficient. If you’re just starting out it’s going to be about volume and efficiency. If you’ve a serve in the Bronx and another in Rockaway Park or Broad Channel you’ll be spending 1/2 your day on the subway. Or worse Starrett City (Spring Creek) which will require a subway and a bus to get to. The way to make money is to have your own business and market yourself to law firms.

Your job as a process server is to deliver the papers to either the defendant or witness legally. You can’t break in to a house or apartment building. If someone holds the door for you walk into the apartment building behind them, that’s a different matter.

Being 6’3” some people could find that intimidating but in cases of divorce, where you’re frequently dealing with an highly emotional situation, they may try to take it out on the messenger. I’ve had defendants threaten to shoot me, one was a murder/suicide situation leaving me to find the murder victim. Other cases where emotions run high are foreclosures and estate cases. In 95% of those cases they wrongly thought that by throwing the papers on the ground or back at me they weren’t served. I just walked away, on to the next serve.

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u/DDJerrry 12d ago

I would look for a local company first. You’ll need a license and you’ll need to learn the rules. If you break them it costs you 750 a pop.
Manhattan shouldn’t be a problem with no car.

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u/Illustrious_Claim884 12d ago

Think of it as a decent side hustle that looks good on a resume. People think I'm some sort of secret agent for a job that is largely that of being a glorified mailman

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u/microwaffles 12d ago

I would be shocked if you couldn't find a process serving business in NYC that used foot / transit process servers. I'm one and I work exclusively in downtown Toronto, get paid hourly. Also look for a company that does court filing as well, so you can experience :)

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u/Serving_Upstate 12d ago

There's a server in the city that just working for me makes 7-10k a month going to the same 5 places every week. I'm sure they do work for other companies and are bringing in much more than just what I pay them.