Process Serving · All 95 counties
Process Serving in Tennessee
DFS delivers summonses, subpoenas, warrants and other legal papers across Tennessee, with every serve recorded on body camera and every attempt logged for the return.
Service tiers and service types
Statewide service of process with body-camera records, GPS-stamped attempt logs and court-ready returns. Five tiers from routine to same day.
- Routine, Urgent and Rush tiersFirst attempts in 5–7 days, 3–5 days or 1–2 days, priced as multiples of the county routine rate.
- Same Day RushService within 2 hours of receipt when the field can support it, assessed case by case.
- Individuals, households and businessesPersonal service, substitute service at the dwelling, and service on registered agents, officers and managing agents.
- Specific document typesSummons and complaint, subpoenas, family-law papers, detainer warrants and General Sessions civil warrants.
- Hard casesEvasive recipients, gated communities and controlled-access buildings, handled with skip tracing and lawful public-view methods.
- Proof of serviceReturn of service, signed affidavit cross-referenced to footage, and filing with the clerk on request.
What it costs in Davidson County
Every county has its own published starting rate. Nashville and Davidson County are shown here; look up any of the 95 counties on the pricing map.
Davidson County · Middle Tennessee
Published starting rates from the DFS rate guide. Final pricing depends on location, urgency and document readiness and is confirmed in writing before the first attempt. *Same Day Rush availability is assessed case by case; any request for service within 24 hours is billed as Same Day Rush. ^Filing and courier work may carry added fees for urgent or special handling.
When service has to hold up later
A case cannot move until the other side is properly served, and a weak return invites a motion to quash or a contested default. Counsel needs proof that shows who was served, where, when and how.
DFS is the process serving division of Delator Group, a licensed Tennessee private investigation firm in Nashville. Papers are handled by trained field agents working through county chapters under one chain of command, not dispatched to strangers through an app.
Five tiers at a glance
| Tier | First attempt | Price vs Routine |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 5–7 days | County starting rate (1×) |
| Urgent | 3–5 days | 1.5× |
| Rush | 1–2 days | 2× |
| Same Day Rush | Within 2 hours of receipt | 3× |
| Filing/Courier | Deadlines vary | Routine minus $15 |
From intake to filed return
- Submit the papersSend the documents and recipient details through the online request form, by email or by text.
- Confirm the quoteYou receive a written quote naming the county, the tier and the price before anyone makes an attempt.
- Field attemptsAn agent attempts service at varied times of day, wearing a body camera and logging each attempt with a GPS time stamp.
- Proof deliveredYou receive the completed return and a signed affidavit, and DFS can file the return with the clerk if you ask.
What to know before you order
Published rates are starting rates. The final price depends on location, urgency, document readiness and case requirements.
- Tennessee has no statewide process server license; Rule 4.01 generally requires a server who is at least 18 and not a party.
- Service is attempted, not promised; some recipients require additional attempts or a different method.
- DFS does not give legal advice on which method or rule applies to your case.
Questions about process serving
Which courts do you serve papers for?
General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Juvenile and Probate courts, plus the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee.
How do I find the price for my county?
The pricing map lists the routine starting rate by county. Multiply by the tier factor, then wait for the written quote, which sets the actual price.
Can I get the body-camera footage?
Yes. Footage, attempt logs and field notes are available to counsel on request.
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.