Chicago Process Servers
Fast, Reliable Service of Process Throughout Chicago and Cook County
Chicago attorneys and legal professionals rely on Nationwide Investigations for fast, dependable service of process in Chicago and throughout Cook County. Our experienced process servers handle summons, subpoenas, complaints, and court documents for law firms, businesses, and individuals.
We understand that deadlines matter in legal proceedings, which is why we offer routine, rush, and same-day process service with detailed documentation and affidavits of service.
Nationwide Investigations is a professional process serving company based in Chicago, IL. We serve attorneys, law firms, and businesses throughout Chicago, Cook County, and all of Illinois with fast, reliable, and court-compliant service of process. From the Loop to the suburbs, our licensed process servers handle every attempt with precision — backed by GPS-verified documentation and court-admissible affidavits.
Why us
When a case depends on proper service, you need a process server you can trust. Nationwide Investigations is Chicago's reliable choice for attorneys and law firms who can't afford missed deadlines or faulty affidavits. Our licensed Chicago process servers know Cook County courts, Illinois compliance standards, and what it takes to get service done right — the first time.
We provide GPS-verified attempts, real-time status updates, and court-admissible affidavits of service on every job. Whether you need routine service or a same-day rush in the Chicago metro area, we deliver the accuracy and accountability your cases demand.
Serving All of Chicago & Cook County
From the Loop and River North to Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Pilsen, and Bridgeport — our process servers cover every Chicago neighborhood. We also serve the full Cook County suburban area including Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Calumet City, Harvey, Markham, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palatine, and Schaumburg. If your case is in the Northern, Central, or Southern suburbs, we have you covered.
Need service outside Cook County? We coordinate process serving throughout the collar counties — DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, and McHenry — and across all of Illinois.
What We Do Differently
Chicago attorneys rely on experienced, locally based process servers to ensure legal documents are delivered properly and within Illinois court deadlines. Nationwide Investigations provides professional service of process throughout Chicago and Cook County — helping law firms, solo practitioners, and legal professionals keep cases moving forward without costly delays.
Our Chicago process servers handle all document types including summons, subpoenas, complaints, eviction notices, and corporate service on registered agents — including CT Corporation and CSC — at their Chicago and Cook County locations. We know where defendants work, where registered agents accept service, and how Cook County courts expect affidavits to be documented.
Nationwide Investigations by numbers
12+
Years of experience in the process serving industry.
50+
Professional process servers in Illinois
99%
Client satisfaction rate
130,000
Legal Documents Served in and around the Chicago Area
5 Days
Average Turnaround time for our process servers to complete a job
3.25
Average attempts it takes for our process servers to complete the job
Process Serving Done Right
| Licensed Chicago Process Servers |
| ✔ GPS-, date-, and time-stamped photo evidence of service attempts |
| ✔ Real-time status updates and communication |
| ✔ Responsive, professional customer support |
| ✔ Fast, accurate, and court-compliant service |
PROCESS SERVERS
YOU CAN COUNT ON
Why people believe in us
"Nationwide Investigations is our go-to for process serving in Chicago. We've sent them last-minute rush serves that other companies couldn't handle, and they've come through every time. Professional, responsive, and reliable — exactly what a busy litigation practice needs."
J. Morrison, Attorney | Chicago, IL
"We had a defendant that two other process servers failed to serve over several weeks. Nationwide got it done within days. They were persistent, kept us updated throughout, and the affidavit was clean and court-ready. We won't use anyone else."
T. Alvarez, Paralegal | Downtown Chicago Law Firm
What sets Nationwide apart is the communication. I always know the status of a serve without having to chase anyone down. For a firm managing dozens of active cases, that kind of transparency is invaluable."
S. Patel, Litigation Attorney | Chicago, IL
"We use Nationwide for both process serving and court filings at the Daley Center. Having one trusted vendor handle both saves us time and eliminates errors. Their team knows Cook County procedure inside and out."
M. Chen, Senior Paralegal | Chicago, IL
Areas We Cover Daily
Courthouse We Cover Daily
- Richard J. Daley Center — 50 W. Washington St.
- Leighton Criminal Court Building — 2650 S. California Ave.
- Domestic Relations Division — 69 W. Washington St.
- Chancery Division — 50 W. Washington St.
- District 2 (Skokie) — 5600 Old Orchard Rd.
- District 3 (Rolling Meadows) — 2121 Euclid Ave.
- District 4 (Maywood) — 1500 Maybrook Dr.
- District 5 (Bridgeview) — 10220 S. 76th Ave.
- District 6 (Markham) — 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy.
Chicago Area Registered Agents
- CT Corporation System -208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 814, Chicago, IL 60604
- CSC (Corporation Service Company) -801 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL 62703 (accepts service in Springfield only)
- Corporate Creations Network -1320 Tower Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173
Hospitals & Insurance Companies
INSURANCE COMPANIES
CNA Insurance (HQ) — 151 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606
Zurich American Insurance
Allstate Investments
Blue Cross Blue Shield.
HOSPITALS
Northwestern Memorial Hospital — 251 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
Rush University Medical Center — 1620 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612
University of Chicago Medical Center — 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center — 836 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Stroger Hospital of Cook County — 1969 W. Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL 60612
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
FAQs
You have questions we have answers
How to Hire A Process Server
In Chicago and all of Illinois it is best to find a licenced private detective agency like Nationwide Investigations
How much does a Chicago process server cost?
The cost of a Chicago process server depends on the type of service and urgency. Routine service typically ranges from $65 to $125, while rush and same-day service may cost more depending on the location and timing of the attempts.
How quickly can documents be served in Chicago?
Routine service attempts are typically made within 24–72 hours. If the situation requires immediate action, rush and same-day service of process may be available throughout Chicago and Cook County..
What documents can a Chicago process server deliver?
Chicago process servers can deliver many types of legal documents including:
- Summons and complaints
- Subpoenas
- Eviction notices
- Small claims documents
- Divorce and family law papers
- Corporate service of process
- Summons and complaints
Can you serve papers anywhere in Chicago?
Yes. Our process servers regularly serve documents throughout Chicago and all of Cook County, including downtown Chicago, the Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Hyde Park, and surrounding communities.
How many attempts will a process server make?
Most service requests include multiple attempts at different times of day to increase the likelihood of successful service. Attempts may include morning, afternoon, and evening visits when appropriate.
What happens after the documents are served?
After successful service, the process server prepares an affidavit of service documenting when, where, and how the documents were served. This affidavit can be filed with the court as proof of service.
Can you serve corporations in Chicago?
Yes. Our process servers frequently serve registered agents and corporate offices in Chicago, including CT Corporation, CSC Global, and other registered agents located throughout the city.
What if the person avoids service?
If an individual attempts to avoid service, process servers may make multiple attempts, stakeouts, or location verification efforts to complete service in accordance with Illinois law.
Do I need a professional process server in Illinois?
Illinois law requires legal documents to be served properly in order for a case to proceed. Hiring a professional process server helps ensure that service is completed correctly and that the affidavit of service meets court requirements.
Illinois Service of Process — What the Law Requires
Illinois law governs exactly who may serve legal process, how it must be delivered, and what documentation courts require to accept it. Improper service — even when a defendant is clearly aware of a lawsuit — can result in dismissed cases, voided default judgments, or costly delays. Hiring a licensed process serving agency like Nationwide Investigations ensures every serve meets Illinois statutory requirements and holds up in court.
For a full breakdown of what this means for your firm's workflow, see our guide to the 2025 Illinois process serving law change.
Who Can Serve Process in Illinois
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-202, process in Illinois must be served by a licensed professional. In most counties, service may be performed by a licensed private detective or a registered employee of a certified private detective agency — without requiring a special court order. Nationwide Investigations holds Illinois Private Detective License #117-001790, authorizing our process servers to serve legal documents throughout Cook County and across the state.
Not all process servers carry this credential. Always confirm your server is operating under a licensed agency to protect the integrity of your service
Valid Methods of Service on Individuals
Illinois law specifies how documents must be physically delivered to be legally valid. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-203, proper service on an individual includes:
- Personal service — delivering documents directly to the named party
- Abode service (substitute service) — leaving documents with a household member age 13 or older at the defendant's usual place of residence, followed by a mailed copy to that address
- Special order of court — when personal and abode service are impractical, an attorney may petition the court for an alternative method under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1
Our process servers document every attempt with GPS-verified timestamps and photos, ensuring your affidavit of service reflects exactly the method and circumstances of delivery.
New Cook County Process Serving Rules — Effective January 1, 2025
A significant amendment to 735 ILCS 5/2-202 took effect on January 1, 2025, directly affecting how attorneys in Cook County handle service of process.
What changed: Previously, Cook County required service to be placed with the Cook County Sheriff's Office before a private process server could be appointed by the court. Under the amended law, licensed private detective agencies may now serve process in Cook County directly — without requiring a prior court appointment — as long as a $5 fee is remitted to the Cook County Sheriff.
What this means for your firm:
- You no longer need to file a motion to appoint a private process server in most Cook County cases
- Turnaround times are faster — no waiting on the Sheriff's queue
- Nationwide Investigations is fully authorized and actively serving under the updated statute
If your firm is still routing routine Cook County serves through the Sheriff's Office by habit, you may be adding unnecessary time and steps to your cases. Contact us to streamline your process serving workflow under the current law.
