(A) Service Generally. Process in civil actions may be served by any legally competent adult who is not a party or an officer of a corporate party.
Rule 2.103.Process; Who May Serve
Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.103 says who may serve civil process in Michigan, allowing any competent adult who is not a party to hand-deliver most papers, while reserving service that seizes property or arrests a person to sheriffs, deputies, and specially designated officers.
Full Text of Rule 2.103
(B) Service Requiring Seizure of Property. A writ of restitution or process requiring the seizure or attachment of property may only be served by
(1) a sheriff or deputy sheriff, or a bailiff or court officer appointed by the court for that purpose,
(2) an officer of the Department of State Police in an action in which the state is a party, or
(3) a police officer of an incorporated city or village in an action in which the city or village is a party. A writ of garnishment may be served by any person authorized by subrule (A).
(C) Service in a Governmental Institution. If personal service of process is to be made on a person in a governmental institution, hospital, or home, service must be made by the person in charge of the institution or by someone designated by that person.
(D) Process Requiring Arrest. Process in civil proceedings requiring the arrest of a person may be served only by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or police officer, or by a court officer appointed by the court for that purpose.
Amendment History
Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.
Plain-English Summary
Ordinary service of a summons and complaint in Michigan does not require a professional process server. Rule 2.103 lets any legally competent adult who is not a party to the case, and not an officer of a corporate party, deliver process. That flexibility keeps routine service simple and inexpensive.
Certain kinds of process carry more weight and are limited to specific officials. A writ of restitution or any process that requires seizing or attaching property can only be served by a sheriff or deputy, a court-appointed bailiff or officer, a state police officer in a case where the state is a party, or a local police officer where a city or village is a party (though a writ of garnishment may still be served by any competent adult under the general rule). Process requiring a person's arrest is limited the same way, to a sheriff, deputy, police officer, or specially appointed court officer. And when personal service is to be made on someone inside a governmental institution, hospital, or home, it must go through the person in charge of that facility or their designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a friend or family member serve court papers in Michigan?
Generally yes, as long as they are a legally competent adult who is not a party to the case and not an officer of a corporate party. Certain kinds of process, described below, are more restricted.
Who can serve process that requires seizing property or arresting someone?
Only a sheriff or deputy sheriff, a court-appointed bailiff or officer, a state police officer (when the state is a party), or a local police officer (when a city or village is a party). A writ of garnishment, however, may still be served by any competent adult.
How is someone served if they are in a hospital or care facility?
Service must be made through the person in charge of that institution, hospital, or home, or through someone that person designates.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.103). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
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