Nevada Small Claims Service of Process: How to Serve the Defendant

The Rule: You Cannot Serve the Papers Yourself

Nevada law prohibits the plaintiff from personally handing the complaint to the defendant. Service must be carried out by someone else — specifically, one of four authorized servers:

1. Township Constable. Available in every township. If you've been granted an In Forma Pauperis fee waiver, Constable service fees are waived too.
2. County Sheriff. An alternative to the Constable, available county-wide.
3. Licensed private process server. Faster than government servers in some areas, but you pay their fee out of pocket.
4. Disinterested adult. Any person at least 18 years old who has no personal or financial stake in the case. A friend, co-worker, or family member who isn't involved in the dispute can do it.

Local rules can narrow who may serve. At Sparks Justice Court, service must be performed by a licensed process server or the sheriff's office where the defendant is located; another method requires written approval from the judge.

Service Deadlines

This is where cases get derailed. Miss the deadline and the hearing date is void.

Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas): Service must be completed at least 14 business days before the trial or mediation date.

Reno Justice Court: Serve the complaint and Order to Attend Mediation at least 20 calendar days before mediation.

Sparks Justice Court: Arrange personal service promptly after filing. File proof of service of the complaint and Order to Appear at least 7 days before mediation; otherwise, the court date will be cancelled.

Count carefully — business days exclude weekends and holidays, while calendar days include them. If service cannot be completed in time, use the court's process to request a new date.

Serving Different Types of Defendants

Individuals: Deliver the papers directly to the named person, or leave them at their usual residence with someone of suitable age who lives there.

Sole proprietors: Serve the individual owner personally, or leave papers at their residence or business with authorized personnel. The complaint should name them as "John Doe dba Business Name."

Corporations and LLCs: Serve the registered agent listed with the Nevada Secretary of State, or an officer, director, or managing member. Look up the registered agent through the SilverFlume portal on the Secretary of State's website — you need the exact name and physical address on file.

Proof of Service

After serving the defendant, the server must complete an Affidavit of Service (or Proof of Service) that records:

• The date and time of service
• The physical address where papers were delivered
• The documents that were served
• The name of the person who received them

File the completed Proof of Service with the court clerk before the hearing. This is not optional. If the Proof of Service isn't in the court file when trial day arrives, the judge cancels the hearing. No exceptions.

When Service Fails

If the Constable or process server can't locate the defendant after multiple attempts, you have options:

Motion to Continue: Ask the court for a new hearing date to buy more time for service.

Service by Certified Mail (Clark County only): If personal service attempts have failed, you can file a Motion for Service of Small Claims Complaint by Certified Mail. This requires the judge's explicit approval — certified mail is not a default service method in Nevada small claims.

Substitute service: If the defendant is dodging service, leaving papers with a responsible person at their home may count as valid service under Nevada rules, depending on the circumstances.

Serving a Business You Can't Find

If you're suing a company and can't locate its registered agent, start with SilverFlume. Every active Nevada corporation and LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical address on file. If the registered agent's address is outdated or the company has been dissolved, that complicates service — but the Secretary of State's records are still the starting point.

For sole proprietors without a registered agent, check local municipal business license records. Clark County and the City of Reno both maintain searchable business license databases that can help you find the owner's name and address.

The Full Process

Service of process is one link in a longer chain — demand letter, filing, service, hearing preparation. The Nevada Small Claims Filing Guide walks through each step in order, with the deadlines and service rules mapped to your specific township court.

See more Nevada guides →