This week I answer a question from a student of mine who got my process server training course The Investigator’s Ultimate Guide to Process Serving, which is, “How can I find a copy of the Proof of Service form in my county?”

Return of Service is also known in some areas as “Proof of Service” or “Affidavit of Service”.

What is Proof of Service?

Proof of Service is the piece of paper (or sometimes two sheets) that tells the court you served the person you were appointed/hired to serve – usually in a civil litigation case like a divorce or lawsuit.

What does Proof of Service look like?

Here’s an example of proof of service…

Proof of Service (AKA: Return of Service) form example.

WARNING: This is a sworn statement that you actually served the person at the time, place and in the manner you are attesting to. Do not lie on this or any sworn statement!

How to file Return of Service

When you get the pack of papers to serve, hang onto the page or two that is the Return of Service (AKA Proof of Service). You don’t deliver that Proof of Service page to the subject.

After you serve the rest of the pack, fill out the Return of Service and take it down to the courthouse. You will usually bring it to the Clerk of Courts office for the court that issued the summons, subpoena, order, restraining order or other paperwork in the pack.

Simply give the Proof of service to the clerk working at the counter. The clerk will punch it with a date/time stamp to prove when you filed it.

Pro Tip: You can get a copy of the filed Return of Service right then and there. Law firms love to have a copy in their file!

NEWS: The Investigator’s Ultimate Guide to Process Serving is now a streaming course online! That means you can get instant access to it day or night at ShadowAnyone.com/ps

Committed to your success,
Larry Kaye,
Private Investigator (Ret.) &
#1 Best Selling Author

This week I filmed for you a video about how to pay your private investigator or process server business taxes with the IRS, the state and even a bit about employee withholdings taxes.

I even teach my dirt simple and painless way to pay your taxes by using the withholdings from your day job!

Let’s face it… actually making money in the investigative industry can be rough, especially starting out. But, if you have the investigative skills and tricks (See: 51 Weird Private Investigator Tricks That Actually Work) and you have the marketing know-how (See: How to Make Money as a Private Investigator) then it’s likely you’ll start turning a profit and then you need to pay your taxes.

That’s the irony to me… Only successful companies (or individuals) who actually make money have this problem! I’ve seen it so-o-o-o many times before.

The person turns a profit, forgets to pay taxes and then on April 15th they discover they are THOUSANDS of dollars behind! Then… the fines and penalties drive them out of business. It’s totally avoidable. And in this weeks video I teach you how!

If you like these helpful tips, then don’t miss out on my free special report If You Want To Be a Private Investigator Give Up… Unless You Do These Three Things. You can get it right here…

Committed to your success,
Larry Kaye, P.I.

I can’t believe the number of websites teaching “how to tell if someone’s divorced” and teaching a lot about clues and nothing about facts!

Sure, check to see if he’s wearing a ring. Sure, check to see if he has a child safety seat in the back of his car. But what do those things really tell you? Nothing! They are “clues”.

Let’s look at facts.

Let’s look for real evidence that would hold up in court if it comes to that!

This week I take an in-depth look at:

1. Marriage Records

Did you know previous marriages (including ones that ended in divorce) will be listed on a marriage license? They are! Including the county where they got the divorce, the date and even the case number!

2. Divorce Records

These are held at the county level in the upper court.

3. Birth Certificates

These may be a last-ditch effort to gather information you can use to successfully unravel the truth of a case where other private investigators fail!

If you like these helpful tips, then don’t miss out on my free special report If You Want To be a Private Investigator Give Up… Unless You Do These Three Things. If not, you can get it right here…

Committed to your success,
Larry Kaye,
Private Investigator (Ret.) &
#1 Best Selling Author

P.S. – Now Open to The Public:
My Public Records Mini-Course is finally open to the public! Check it out!

Let me share with you a bunch of asset search sources and as I teach this, I’ll also give you some important tips about how to search for assets.

By this I mean what records to search, where to find them, what you can legitimately expect to find in them and how to search them. (Don’t miss that last point… if you don’t know HOW to search these open source and public records, well, then you’ll miss a ton!)

With this information you can practice by doing some DIY asset searches until you’re good enough to begin to charge for this valuable investigative service.

At the very least, you’ll be able to evaluate and find the best asset search company so you can outsource this service for clients who need it!

If you like these helpful tips, then don’t miss out on my free special report If You Want To be a Private Investigator Give Up… Unless You Do These Three Things. If not, you can get it right here…

Committed to your success,
Larry Kaye,
Private Investigator

“… others cut branches…”
– Matthew 21:8