Obtaining Proper Service

After you file your claim, you will need to have the defendant served. There are three ways to obtain proper service of the claim and affidavit.

By a Competent Adult

Any competent adult (except the plaintiff) can personally deliver the affidavit and claim to the defendant.

This person must complete a Proof of Service and return it to the court. It is helpful to know the Michigan Court Rules regarding service of process.
The proof of service must be notarized or signed in front of a clerk at the court.

The court will send the affidavit and claim by restricted certified mail from the Postal Service.

The plaintiff can bring an affidavit and claim to the Postal Service and pay the fees necessary for Restricted Certified Mail.
The defendant is the only person who can sign for the papers. The Postal Service will return the green signature card to the plaintiff.
The plaintiff is responsible for returning the green signature card along with the proof of service directly to the court to show that the service was completed.
Please keep in mind, that if the Postal Service allows anyone else to sign for the papers, the service has not been made.
The court can process and send the affidavit and claim for the plaintiff at the cost of $13.33 per defendant.

A professional Court Officer/ Process Server can deliver the affidavit and claim to the defendant.

For fee information please contact Court Officers at the Eaton County Sheriff Department Civil Division: 517-543-5301.
The Court Clerk can give you the name of the approved court officer or you can seek out your own process server.