Mississippi Secretary of State — Business Services Division — Service of Process & Subpoena Delivery
Official Mississippi statutory substituted service of process desk for non-resident defendants under the Long-Arm Statute (Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-57) and business entities without an active registered agent.
Verified Mississippi Intake Address & Details
Service of Process & Subpoena Intake Protocol
The Mississippi Secretary of State (Business Services Division in downtown Jackson) serves as the statutory agent for service of process on non-resident individuals, unregistered foreign corporations committing a tort or performing a contract in Mississippi under the Long-Arm Statute (Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-57), and non-resident motorists under Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-63.
When serving the Mississippi Secretary of State, the process server delivers duplicate copies of the summons and complaint together with the mandatory statutory service fee so the Secretary of State can mail a copy by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the defendant.
Our downtown Jackson couriers file and serve statutory process at the Secretary of State’s desk daily.
Controlling Mississippi Statutes & Practice Tips for Litigators
Applicable Statutory Rules:
- • Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-57 (Mississippi Long-Arm Statute — Service on Secretary of State)
- • Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-63 (Non-Resident Motorist Statute)
- • Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-13 (Service When Registered Agent Cannot Be Found)
Practice Tips for Attorneys & Paralegals:
- Include the defendant’s complete out-of-state street address on the summons or cover letter; the Secretary of State cannot complete certified mail forwarding under § 13-3-57 without a valid mailing address for the non-resident defendant.
- Enclose the statutory fee check payable to the Mississippi Secretary of State or request that our Jackson office advance the fee upon delivery.