Process Server Toronto: Costs, Timelines & What to Expect in 2025
A process server Toronto legal professionals rely on plays a crucial role in civil, family, Small Claims, and landlord–tenant matters. Toronto is Ontario’s busiest legal hub, home to major courthouses, corporate headquarters, law firms, and high-volume litigation. Because of the city’s density and fast-paced legal deadlines, hiring an experienced process server Toronto expert can determine whether your filing moves forward smoothly or gets delayed.
Select Serve and File Process Server Inc. supports law firms, paralegals, landlords, lenders, corporations, and individuals with process serving, court filing, skip tracing, locate searches, document retrieval, and rush services across the Greater Toronto Area. Our process server Toronto team provides personal attention, competitive rates, and fast turnaround.
Below is the most complete 2026 guide on costs, timelines, procedures, and what to expect when using a process server Toronto.
What Does a Process Server in Toronto Do?
A process server Toronto specialist is trained to deliver legal documents in compliance with Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure, Small Claims Court Rules, Family Law Rules, and the Residential Tenancies Act. Toronto servers navigate high-rise condos, secured buildings, business towers, courthouses, and multi-unit homes daily.
Documents typically handled by a process server Toronto include:
- Statements of Claim
- Summons and Subpoenas
- Motion Records
- Divorce and Family Court forms
- Applications and Responding Materials
- Small Claims forms
- Landlord–Tenant Board notices (N4, N12, N13, L1, L2)
- Demand letters
- Orders and Judgments
- Corporate litigation documents
Toronto’s diverse population and large rental market make professional service essential.
How Much Does a Process Server Toronto Cost?
Costs depend on distance, urgency, number of attempts, and court filing needs. Below is a realistic, 2025 Toronto pricing structure.
Average Pricing for Process Server Toronto Services
| Service Type | Typical Toronto Cost |
| Standard Service (3 attempts) | $65–$95 |
| Downtown Core Service | $75–$110 |
| Rush Same-Day Service | $120–$180 |
| Immediate (2-hour) Emergency Rush | $175–$250 |
| Court Filing (Toronto courts) | $40–$65 + court fees |
| Affidavit Commissioning | $20–$35 |
| Skip Tracing Add-On | $45–$90 |
Select Serve and File offers competitive, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, mileage charges, waiting fees, or parking fees, which is a major benefit in Toronto’s high-traffic zones.
Average Timelines for Process Server Toronto Services
A process server Toronto professional works within the city’s tight timelines. Here’s what clients can expect:
Regular Service
1–4 days, depending on the respondent’s availability and location.
Rush Service
Same-day with prioritized attempts.
Emergency Immediate Service
Within 2–4 hours, used for urgent motions, filing deadlines, or last-minute applications.
Court Filing After Service
Most affidavits are filed the same day or the next day, depending on courthouse hours.
Toronto has several major courts, including:
- 361 University Avenue (Civil)
- 47 Sheppard Avenue East (Family)
- 393 University (Court of Appeal)
- 1000 Finch (Criminal & some family matters)
A knowledgeable process server Toronto knows how to navigate each court for fast filing.
Step-by-Step: How Process Serving Works in Toronto
1. File Intake & Review
A process server Toronto specialist begins by reviewing:
- Document type
- Required method of service
- Address details
- Deadlines
- Court filing requirements
- Language, safety, or access issues
The Toronto market requires heightened planning due to secured condo towers, concierge limits, and mixed-use buildings. Select Serve and File provides custom solutions for these situations.
2. Preparing the Service Package
Before attending, a process server in Toronto prepares:
- Copies of documents
- Affidavit templates
- Verification notes
- Service instructions
- Condensed directions for downtown towers
- Parking/traffic plans (crucial for Toronto core)
This preparation ensures compliance and efficiency.
3. Service Attempts
Toronto’s urban layout affects the attempt strategy. A process server Toronto uses:
- Morning attempts at residential buildings
- Evening attempts for working respondents
- Midday attempts for downtown business towers
- Weekend attempts when required
Server’s record:
- Time of attempt
- Property access level
- Conversations with concierge/security (within legal limits)
- Visible indicators of occupancy
- Evidence of avoidance (if any)
4. Personal Service
Many Toronto files require personal service, meaning the process server Toronto hands documents directly to the respondent.
Common personal-service documents:
- Civil Claims
- Summons
- Subpoenas
- Family Applications
- Corporate litigation filings
Toronto’s density means respondents may be reached:
- At condo lobbies
- At workplaces
- In commercial towers
- At home
- In parking garages (if legally accessible)
Even if the respondent refuses the documents, the process server Toronto can still complete service under Ontario rules.
5. Substituted or Alternative Service
If personal service fails, Toronto courts allow alternatives:
- Substituted service on another adult
- Service via mail
- Door posting (LTB matters)
- Email/social media (with court order)
- Motion for substituted service
A process server Toronto provides the attempt logs and evidence required to support such motions.
6. Affidavit of Service Preparation
After successful service, the process server Toronto prepares:
- Form 16B (Civil)
- Form 8A (Small Claims)
- Form 6B (Family)
- LTB Certificate of Service
Select Serve and File frequently commissions affidavits for Toronto cases.
7. Court Filing
A major advantage of hiring a process server Toronto is immediate court filing, often required after service.
Our team attends:
- Toronto Civil Court – 361 University Ave
- Small Claims Court – 47 Sheppard Ave E
- Toronto Family Court – 47 Sheppard Ave E
- Court of Appeal – 130 Queen St W
Court filing is a core part of Select Serve and File’s offering.
Real Toronto Case Example
A corporate law firm needed urgent same-day service on a respondent working in a downtown financial district tower. Our process server Toronto team:
- Coordinated timing with building security
- Attended during the respondent’s lunch break
- Served personally near the PATH underground walkway
- Commissioned the affidavit within one hour
- Filed the motion record at 361 University Ave, the same afternoon
The client met a strict 4 p.m. filing deadline.
Why Hire a Professional Process Server Toronto?
A professional process server Toronto provides:
- Court-compliant service
- Accurate affidavits
- Knowledge of Toronto’s building access challenges
- Fast attendance in high-density zones
- Rush & emergency service availability
- Skip tracing when the address is uncertain
- Combined service + filing for maximum efficiency
In a city with strict court deadlines, relying on a courier or an inexperienced server can jeopardize your case.
Disclaimer
This article contains general information only and is not legal advice. Always consult a lawyer or licensed paralegal for legal guidance.
Meet Us
If you need reliable, fast, and professional service anywhere in the GTA, Select Serve and File offers trusted process server Toronto support, court filing, rush service, skip tracing, and more. Contact us today to get started.
FAQ
Most services take 1–4 days. Same-day and 2-hour emergency service are available.
Yes. Many firms provide filing at 361 University, 47 Sheppard, and other courts.
Professional servers know how to work lawfully with concierge and security.
