Which eviction papers does a process server serve in Michigan?

We serve the landlord's Demand for Possession or other written notice, the district court summons with the complaint, and later papers such as an order to show cause.

How is the landlord's notice served in Michigan?

Under MCL 600.5718, the notice can be handed to the tenant in person, left at the property with a household member or employee of suitable age who is asked to pass it on, or sent by first-class mail. The server records the date, time and how it was delivered.

How are the court papers served in a Michigan landlord-tenant case?

Under MCR 4.201(D), a copy is mailed to the tenant. The tenant must also be served in person or another way in MCR 2.105, or through a household member of suitable age at the property, or, after diligent attempts at personal service, by securely attaching the papers to the main entrance of the home.

What does Papers Delivered do with eviction papers?

No. We serve eviction papers and return a signed proof of service. We do not remove anyone from a home.

What does the server return after an eviction serve?

We return a signed proof of service within 24 hours of a completed serve. It states who was served, where, when and how, and lists each earlier attempt.

Eviction Papers a Process Server Serves, First to Last

Papers Delivered serves eviction papers anywhere in Michigan. The landlord's written notice is served first. The court papers are served later, after the court issues them. Every completed serve ends with a signed proof of service.

Last updated: October 2026. This article is general information from a process server, not legal advice. We serve the papers. We do not file anything, we do not remove anyone from a home, and questions about a case go to a Michigan attorney or the court clerk.

The First Papers: The Landlord's Notice

The first paper is the landlord's written notice, such as a Demand for Possession or a written notice to end the tenancy. It is served before any court case exists.

Under MCL 600.5718, the notice can be handed to the tenant in person. It can also be left at the property with a household member or an employee of suitable age who is asked to pass it on, or it can be sent by first-class mail.

The time stated in the notice counts from service, so the exact date matters. The server records the date, the time and how the notice was delivered.

The Court Papers

If the case goes to court, the district court issues a summons with the complaint. The landlord or their attorney handles the court side. We serve the papers the court issues.

MCR 4.201(D) sets how these papers are served. A copy goes to the tenant by mail. The tenant must also be served in one of three ways:

In person, or another way listed in MCR 2.105.
At the property, to a household member of suitable age who is told what the papers are and asked to give them to the tenant.
After diligent attempts at personal service, by securely attaching the papers to the main entrance of the home.

When the papers are attached to the door, the return of service must list the attempts at personal service. That is one reason the server records every attempt.

Later Papers

Some cases have later papers to serve, such as an order to show cause. We serve those too, with the same record of each attempt.

Papers Delivered does not remove anyone from a home.

Eviction Papers We Serve

Demand for Possession
Written notices to end a tenancy
The district court summons with the complaint
Orders to show cause and other later papers in the case

When the Tenant Is Hard to Reach

The server tries at different times and on different days, and records each attempt. If the tenant has moved, a skip trace can be added to the serve to find a current address so the papers can be served.

The Record We Return

Every completed serve returns a signed proof of service, as a signed, notarized affidavit.
The affidavit is delivered within 24 hours of a completed serve.
It states who was served, where, when and how, and lists each earlier attempt.
Audio and video, GPS coordinates and a time-stamped photo are available on request. Recording follows Michigan's one-party consent law (MCL 750.539c), and the server is the consenting party.

Rules Cited Here

MCL 600.5718: how a landlord's demand for possession or written notice is delivered
MCR 4.201(D): how the court papers are served in a landlord-tenant case
MCR 2.105: how papers are served in person

Need Eviction Papers Served?

Papers Delivered serves eviction papers anywhere in Michigan, with same-day and next-day serves in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Quotes are given by phone.

Request a Quote Call (248) 268-0097