New York City Process Server Practice Test

The first step a process server must take before serving documents is to verify the identity of the individual being served. This step is crucial because the effectiveness of the service depends on correctly identifying the person who is to receive the legal documents. If the process server serves the documents to the wrong individual, the service may be deemed invalid, which could lead to delays or setbacks in the legal proceedings. Proper verification ensures that the defendant or respondent is properly notified of the legal action against them, thereby upholding the principles of due process.

While preparing the legal documents, obtaining permission from the court, and contacting the individual by phone might be relevant steps in the overall context of process serving, they do not precede the essential need to confirm the recipient's identity. Without this verification, the subsequent actions may not fulfill legal requirements.