Investigative Support · Locate, confirm, serve
Locating Individuals for Service of Process
DFS combines skip tracing with process serving: investigators locate the defendant, an agent confirms the address in the field, and service is attempted under the DFS documentation standard.
The summons came back unserved
Under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.03, an unserved summons is generally returned within 90 days of issuance, and Rule 3 generally requires new process within one year to keep the original filing date. A bad address burns that time.
Locate-for-service keeps research and service in one chain, so findings go straight to a field agent instead of sitting in a report.
What the engagement covers
Locate, confirm and serve a hard-to-find defendant in one engagement, with records that support a diligent search.
- LocateDatabase and public-record research by investigators to identify current addresses.
- Field confirmationIn-person checks to confirm the subject lives or works at the address.
- Service attemptsAttempts at varied times of day, recorded on body camera with GPS-timestamped logs.
- Affidavit of serviceSigned by the serving agent and cross-referenced to footage once service is made.
- Diligent search recordNotes on every source checked and address ruled out.
Locate, confirm, serve
- Submit the papersSend the documents and everything known about the defendant through the request form.
- ResearchInvestigators develop and rank likely addresses.
- Confirm and serveA field agent confirms the location and attempts service under the written quote.
- DocumentYou receive the affidavit or a full record of research and attempts.
General information, not legal advice
Whether a search is sufficient is decided by the court, not DFS.
- Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.08 publication generally requires a sworn showing of diligent search; DFS records can support that showing but do not guarantee the court will accept it.
- No guarantee the defendant will be found or served.
- No trespass, pretext or impersonation at any stage.
Questions about locate for service
Do I pay separately for the locate and the serve?
The written quote states the price for both parts before work begins, including the county service tier.
Can DFS's records be used if we move for service by publication?
Counsel may use DFS's research notes and attempt logs to prepare the sworn diligent-search showing. The legal sufficiency is for the court.
What if the defendant is just across the state line?
DFS can coordinate service in bordering states such as Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi under the same documentation standard.
Guides on this topic
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related services
Next steps and alternatives that often go with this work.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information, not legal advice.
Papers ready to go out?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, tier and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.