Process servers in Alberta deliver a wide range of legal documents across civil, family, landlord-tenant, and commercial law. Not all documents have the same service requirements — some must be served personally, others allow substituted service from the outset, and some come with strict time windows that can affect the entire proceeding.
Here is a practical overview of the most common documents EasyProServe delivers in Alberta.
Civil Litigation Documents
Statement of Claim The foundational document in most civil proceedings. The defendant must be served personally in most cases. Once served, the defendant has a fixed period (typically 20 days for Alberta residents) to file a Statement of Defence. Missing this deadline can result in default judgment.
Notice of Action / Originating Application Used to initiate proceedings in the Court of King’s Bench. Like Statements of Claim, these generally require personal service on all named respondents.
Garnishment Orders Served on third parties (employers, banks) rather than defendants. Freezes wages or accounts pending resolution of a judgment debt.
Writs of Enforcement Post-judgment enforcement documents directing the Sheriff to seize and sell a debtor’s assets.
Family Law Documents
Divorce Petition Must be personally served on the respondent spouse. There is no way to proceed with an uncontested divorce in Alberta without proof of service.
Variation Applications (Child Support / Custody) Applications to change existing court orders. The other party must be personally served before the court will hear the variation.
Emergency Protection Orders (EPO) / Restraining Orders These are urgent documents with immediate legal effect. Service must be completed quickly — often the same day the order is granted — as the order begins affecting the respondent upon service.
Parenting Orders Documents related to parenting time and decision-making responsibility. Require personal service on the other parent.
Landlord-Tenant Documents
Notice to Quit / Notice of Termination Under the Residential Tenancies Act, notices terminating a tenancy must be delivered to the tenant in a specific manner. Proper service is essential — improper service can invalidate the notice entirely and restart the clock.
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Application Applications to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) require service on the other party before the hearing.
Eviction Orders Post-hearing eviction orders from the RTDRS or Court of King’s Bench. Must be served on the tenant before enforcement can proceed.
Commercial and Corporate Documents
Court Orders and Injunctions Interim or final court orders restraining a party from specific conduct. Often time-sensitive — the order takes legal effect upon service, so delays can matter.
Subpoenas Require a witness to appear in court. Personal service is required. A witness cannot be compelled to appear unless they have been properly served.
Demand Letters (Formal / Pre-Litigation) While not court documents, formal demand letters are sometimes served by process servers to create a documented, timestamped record of delivery — important in commercial disputes where the date of notice matters.
What Happens After Service
Regardless of document type, EasyProServe provides a sworn Affidavit of Service after each completed serve. This document identifies the server, the date, time, and location of service, a description of the person served, and the method of service used. It is filed with the court as proof that service has been properly completed.
If you have documents that need to be served in Calgary, Edmonton, or anywhere in Alberta, contact EasyProServe for a quote — or price it yourself with the cost calculator.