Service area · NS
Process server in Nova Scotia
Routine service in Nova Scotia is from $110 to $210 CAD before GST/HST for one recipient at one address, with every attempt tracked and a sworn affidavit of service in your dashboard.
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Overview of process serving in Nova Scotia
A verified process server near the address in Nova Scotia accepts your job. Every attempt is tracked with the time, GPS location and photos, and the sworn affidavit of service is in your dashboard when the job is done.
Main cities in Nova Scotia: Halifax and Sydney. Routine service for one recipient at one address is from $110 to $210 CAD before GST/HST. Affidavit of service form: Form 31.05 - Supreme Court.
Main cities in Nova Scotia
- Halifax
- Sydney
Pricing for Nova Scotia
From $110 to $210 CAD before GST/HST for one recipient at one address. That is the total range in Canadian dollars: the process server's fee plus the flat service fee. GST/HST for the province of the service address is added at checkout as its own line. The request form shows the total range before you submit, and the exact price once a process server accepts. More than one address is priced per address.
- Routine serviceOne recipient at one address, up to three attempts, the flat service fee included
- $110–$210 CAD
- RushPriority speed; the process server sets it inside this range
- +$40–$75
- Same-dayFirst attempt the same day; the process server sets it inside this range
- +$75–$125
- Another person at the same addressServed at the same visit, with their own affidavit
- +$40–$60
- Mailed original affidavitOptional; PDF remains included
- +$25
- Printing beyond shared request allowanceThe first 15 printed pages are shared once across everyone in one request
- $0.30 per additional page after the 15-page shared allowance
Affidavit of service
Affidavit of service form
- Form 31.05
- Supreme Court
The process server completes the affidavit, has it sworn (or affirmed) before a commissioner for taking affidavits and uploads it. You receive the sworn copy in your dashboard and by email.
Court forms and rules change - check with the court or a lawyer or paralegal.
Who can serve documents in Nova Scotia
Requirements depend on the court and document
For personal service in Nova Scotia Supreme Court proceedings, the server must be literate and cannot be a party or an officer, director or employee of a party. The Rules specify who receives service in particular situations. This rule does not establish a universal requirement for every Nova Scotia court. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 31.03–31.04.
Accepted methods of service
Methods depend on the court, document and any order
In Supreme Court proceedings, originating documents generally require personal service, which usually means handing the document to the person, subject to recipient-specific exceptions. The Rules distinguish personal service from alternative methods of giving notice; a judge may order a substituted method where the person cannot be located, is evading service or justice requires it. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 31.02–31.10.
Delivery of later filed documents follows separate rules. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 31.15–31.18.
Time limits and rules for serving
There is no single service deadline for every document. A Notice of Action expires one year after filing unless the defendant is notified under the Rules; renewal provisions apply. Defence periods depend on where notice is given: 15 days in Nova Scotia, 30 days elsewhere in Canada and 45 days elsewhere. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 4.04 and 31 · How to Defend an Action instructions. Family proceedings have separate Part 13 procedures. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, Part 13.
Restrictions on serving
Court- and document-specific limits
The Nova Scotia Supreme Court personal-service rule excludes parties and the specified officers, directors and employees of a party. Children and adults lacking capacity have special recipient rules; the Rules do not make one service method suitable for every proceeding. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 31.03–31.04.
Small Claims Court has a separate statutory and rules regime; the Supreme Court procedures summarized here should not be assumed to govern it. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rules 2.01–2.02.
Proof of service and affidavit requirements
A party causing personal service in a Nova Scotia Supreme Court proceeding must obtain an affidavit proving the material facts of service. Rule 31.05 sets out required contents and Form 31.05; the court’s forms page lists the proof-of-personal-service form. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rule 31.05 · Civil Procedure Rules forms. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm the proof requirement for the court and document involved.
Nova Scotia FAQs
Can a party personally serve a Nova Scotia Supreme Court document?
Not under the general personal-service rule: the server must not be a party or one of the specified officers, directors or employees of a party. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, rule 31.04.
Can every Nova Scotia court document be served by email?
The Rules distinguish personal service of originating documents, alternative notice methods and later-document delivery. The method depends on the proceeding and document; the cited provisions do not establish a universal email method. Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, Part 31.
Request service · NS
Request service in Nova Scotia
Upload your documents and enter the address. You see the price before you submit and pay only after a verified server near the address accepts.
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