GPS verification is rapidly transforming the process serving industry. What was once a nice-to-have feature has become an expectation among attorneys, courts, and insurance companies.
What Is GPS Verification?
GPS verification uses the location services on a process server's mobile device to record the exact coordinates, date, and time when documents are served. This data is typically paired with a photo of the served documents at the location.
Court Admissibility
GPS data provides objective, technology-backed evidence that service occurred at a specific location at a specific time. This can be crucial when a defendant claims they were never served.
Client Confidence
Attorneys and law firms can verify in real-time that service has been completed, reducing anxiety and follow-up calls.
Dispute Resolution
When service is contested, GPS data provides an additional layer of evidence beyond the server's affidavit alone.
Insurance Requirements
Some legal malpractice insurers now require or incentivize the use of GPS verification for service of process.
Implementation
Most modern process serving software includes GPS tracking as a built-in feature. Servers simply use their smartphone to log the service event, which automatically captures location data and allows for photo documentation.