Service is where a case
starts, or stalls.

No case moves forward until the defendant is properly served. Here is what the numbers say about service of process in New York, and why getting it right matters.

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By the numbers

The volume is
enormous.

~915federal civil cases filed per month in Manhattan's federal court (SDNY)10,973 filings in the 12 months ending June 30, 2024

366,000consumer credit lawsuits filed in NYC courts, 2019 to 2023New York Focus, 2025

274,771civil cases filed in U.S. district courts in one yearFiscal year 2022, U.S. Courts

~17%of those NYC consumer credit suits drew a response from the defendantNew York Focus, 2025

~152,000default judgments issued in NYC consumer credit cases, 2019 to 2024New York Focus, 2025

120 daysto serve after filing in New York, or risk dismissalCPLR 306-b

What it means

Every one of those cases
needed service first.

A default judgment is only as strong as the service behind it. If the defendant later shows they were never properly served, a court can vacate the judgment for lack of jurisdiction, and the case starts over, sometimes after the deadline to serve has passed.

When service is challenged, New York courts hold a traverse hearing to decide whether service really happened. The process server's records, including the affidavit, attempt times, descriptions, and photos, are the evidence.

That is why documentation matters as much as delivery. A serve that can't be proven is a serve that can be undone.

An honest note: no court publishes a statistic for how many cases are won or lost because of service. What the data does show is how many cases depend on default judgments, and how much rides on service being done, and documented, correctly.

Protecting your case

How proper service
protects a judgment.

Attempts at the right times

Before 9 AM, after 5 PM, and on a Saturday, on different days, so a non-service holds up.

A record for every attempt

GPS and time-stamped photos plus a same-day narrative for each attempt, ready if service is ever challenged.

Accurate affidavits

Prepared from the verified attempt record, so the affidavit matches exactly what the server did.

Sources: New York Focus, June 2025; U.S. Courts, Judicial Business 2022; U.S. Courts, federal court management statistics (SDNY, 12 months ending June 30, 2024); New York CPLR 306-b. Statistics are provided for general information and are not legal advice.

FAQ

Questions,
answered.

What happens if service is done wrong?

If service is improper, the court may never have had jurisdiction over the defendant. That can lead to motions, delays, a vacated judgment, or dismissal if the deadline to serve has passed.

What is a traverse hearing?

A hearing where the court decides whether the defendant was actually served. The process server's affidavit, records, and testimony are the evidence.

How long do I have to serve in New York?

Generally 120 days after filing the summons and complaint (CPLR 306-b), unless the court extends it.

The volume isenormous.

Every one of those casesneeded service first.

How proper serviceprotects a judgment.