When executing service on State Agencies in the State of Florida, there are particular guidelines individuals and legal representatives must adhere to. While not a comprehensive manual, below are some guidelines to follow when attempting service on state agencies.
Never place the name of the officer holding the position of secretary on any paper unless they are being sued individually. This applies to all State Agencies. Only put their title as director or secretary. Positions change and some offices can be difficult if they have the opportunity to be.
Select a state agency below for additional information:
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
There are two different ways you serve this entity:
- If they are being served on behalf of an insurance company doing business in the state of Florida.
It is imperative that the insurance company be listed exactly as it is recorded with the Florida Secretary of
State (850) 488-9000, or the service will be invalid and must be re-served. When serving them this way the
following documents are required...
One (1) Summons
One (1) Complaints and/or attachments
A Check in the amount of $15.00 made out to the "Department of Financial Services".
Example heading of summons -
Allstate Insurance Company, By serving
Department of Financial Services
Don't forget a check for $15.00 to the Department of
Financial Services.
- Serve the Insurance Commissioner if they are being served on behalf of another municipal or governmental
agency which is being sued. This is pursuant to F.S. 768.28(7). It is just like serving any other document; however,
you should list on the summons that you are serving the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to F.S. 768.28(7).
Example heading of summons -
Florida Insurance Commissioner For:
Name of Governmental Agency, County, City etc.
Pursuant to F.S. 768.28(7)
* Remember that you still need to serve the governmental agency as well as the Chief Financial Officer.
2450 Shumard Oak Boulevard
CCOC #2400
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-0712
Example heading of summons -
The Florida Department of Revenue C/O It's Executive Director
The process will be served at the above address on the General Counsel's office. No extra copies or fees required.
2661 Executive Center Circle West
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 487-6953
Corporate Listings (850) 488-9000
Florida Division Of Corporations
There are several ways in which you can effect substitute service on the Florida Secretary of State for individuals & businesses. There are also numerous statute numbers for which they can be served and they require the statute number be listed on the summons. When serving them in this manner the following documents are required...
- Three (3) Summons *
*(One must be an original. It is required to be served on this agency and will returned to Plaintiff
along with acceptance of service letters.)
Two (2) Complete Complaint Packages and/or attachments
A check made out to the Florida Secretary of State in the amount of $8.75.
Example heading of summons -
John Doe or John Doe Business C/O The Florida Secretary of State
As Pursuant to F.S. Give Statute number here
The Secretary of State will return process without acceptance if you fail to put the statute number on the summons or forget to enclose a check.
1317 Winewood Blvd, Building 8, Tallahassee, Florida 32303
By Serving: Records Custodian
This is the records custodian address for this agency. They accept all subpoenas for records and do
require a witness fee.
(Division of Unemployment Compensation)
107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
By Serving: Records Custodian
This is the records custodian address for this agency. They accept all subpoenas for records and do
require a witness fee.
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-3030 Ext. 180
By Serving: Records Custodian
This is the records custodian address for this agency. They accept all subpoenas for records and does not
require a witness fee.
2728 Fort Knox Boulevard, Bldg.# 3, 3rd Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 922-5873
By Serving: Director
101 W. Gaines St. #428
Collins Bldg.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488 3000
By Serving the Attorney General
407 S. Calhoun St
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 245-1000
By Serving: Secretary of Agriculture
101 E. Gaines St. #524
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-9896
By Serving: The Florida Comptroller
1940 N Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-3140
By Serving: Executive Director C/O General Counsel
1323 Winewood Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-2381
By Serving: The Secretary C/O General Counsel
* The agency name changed in January 1997. They will no longer accept any process that reads "Health & Rehabilitative Services".
501 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-7840
By Serving: The Secretary of Corrections C/O General Counsel
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. 6th Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-9735
By Serving: The Secretary of Environmental Protection C/O General Counsel
2585 Merchants Row Blvd. 1st Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
By Serving: General Counsel
2900 Apalachee Parkway, A432
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 487-3132
By Serving: Executive Director C/O General Counsel
For Other Divisions See Below (Subpoenas for Records)
By Serving: Records Custodian / Driver's License Records
By Serving: Records Custodian / Motor Vehicle Records
By Serving: Records Custodian / FHP Crash Records
By Serving: Records Custodian / Employee Records
2020 Capital Circle S.E. Alexander Bldg.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
By Serving: Florida Department of Financial Services
4050 Esplanade Way, Suite 260
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 487-1082
By Serving: Executive Director C/O General Counsel
2450 Shumard Oak Blvd., CCOC #2400
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 488-0712
By Serving: Executive Director C/O Agency Clerk
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 414-5265
By Serving: Secretary of Transportation C/O General Counsel
1801 Hermitage Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 488-4406
By Serving: The General Counsel
325 W. Gaines Street #1454
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
By Serving: The General Counsel