Fla. Stat. 48.196
Service of process in connection with actions under the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act

(1)

Any process in connection with the commencement of an action before the courts of this state under chapter 684, the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act, shall be served:In the case of a natural person, by service upon:
That person;
Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state; or
Any person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person.
In the case of any person other than a natural person, by service upon:
Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state;
Any person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person; or
Any person, whether natural or otherwise and wherever located, who by operation of law or internal action is an officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director of the person being served; or
Any partner, joint venturer, member or controlling shareholder, wherever located, of the person being served, if the person being served does not by law or internal action have any officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director.

(a)

In the case of a natural person, by service upon:That person;Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state; orAny person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person.
1. That person;
2. Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state; or
3. Any person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person.

(b)

In the case of any person other than a natural person, by service upon:Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state;Any person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person; orAny person, whether natural or otherwise and wherever located, who by operation of law or internal action is an officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director of the person being served; orAny partner, joint venturer, member or controlling shareholder, wherever located, of the person being served, if the person being served does not by law or internal action have any officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director.
1. Any agent for service of process appointed in, or pursuant to, any applicable agreement or by operation of any law of this state;
2. Any person authorized by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served to accept service for that person; or
3. Any person, whether natural or otherwise and wherever located, who by operation of law or internal action is an officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director of the person being served; or
4. Any partner, joint venturer, member or controlling shareholder, wherever located, of the person being served, if the person being served does not by law or internal action have any officer, business agent, director, general partner, or managing agent or director.

(2)

The process served under subsection (1) shall include a copy of the application to the court together with all attachments thereto and shall be served in the following manner:In any manner agreed upon, whether service occurs within or without this state;If service is within this state:
In the manner provided in ss. 48.021 and 48.031, or
If applicable under their terms, in the manner provided in ss. 48.161, 48.183, 48.23, or chapter 49; or
If service is outside this state:
By personal service by any person authorized to serve process in the jurisdiction where service is being made or by any person appointed to do so by any competent court in that jurisdiction;
In any other manner prescribed by the laws of the jurisdiction where service is being made for service in an action before a local court of competent jurisdiction;
In the manner provided in any applicable treaty to which the United States is a party;
In the manner prescribed by order of the court;
By any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the person being served; or
If applicable, in the manner provided in chapter 49.

(a)

In any manner agreed upon, whether service occurs within or without this state;

(b)

If service is within this state:In the manner provided in ss. 48.021 and 48.031, orIf applicable under their terms, in the manner provided in ss. 48.161, 48.183, 48.23, or chapter 49; or
1. In the manner provided in ss. 48.021 and 48.031, or
2. If applicable under their terms, in the manner provided in ss. 48.161, 48.183, 48.23, or chapter 49; or

(c)

If service is outside this state:By personal service by any person authorized to serve process in the jurisdiction where service is being made or by any person appointed to do so by any competent court in that jurisdiction;In any other manner prescribed by the laws of the jurisdiction where service is being made for service in an action before a local court of competent jurisdiction;In the manner provided in any applicable treaty to which the United States is a party;In the manner prescribed by order of the court;By any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the person being served; orIf applicable, in the manner provided in chapter 49.
1. By personal service by any person authorized to serve process in the jurisdiction where service is being made or by any person appointed to do so by any competent court in that jurisdiction;
2. In any other manner prescribed by the laws of the jurisdiction where service is being made for service in an action before a local court of competent jurisdiction;
3. In the manner provided in any applicable treaty to which the United States is a party;
4. In the manner prescribed by order of the court;
5. By any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the person being served; or
6. If applicable, in the manner provided in chapter 49.

(3)

No order of the court is required for service of process outside this state. The person serving process shall make proof of service to the court by affidavit or as prescribed by the law of the jurisdiction where process is being served or as prescribed in an order of the court. Such proof shall be made prior to expiration of the time within which the person served must respond. If service is by mail, the proof of service shall state the date and place of mailing and shall include a receipt signed by the addressee or other evidence of delivery satisfactory to the court.

Source: Section 48.196 — Service of process in connection with actions under the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0048.­196 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

48.011
Process 48.19
Service on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state 48.20
Service of process on Sunday 48.21
Return of execution of process 48.021
Process 48.22
Cumulative to other laws 48.23
Lis pendens 48.25
Short title 48.27
Certified process servers 48.29
Certification of process servers 48.31
Removal of certified process servers 48.031
Service of process generally 48.041
Service on minor 48.042
Service on incompetent 48.051
Service on state prisoners 48.061
Service on partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships 48.062
Service on a domestic limited liability company or registered foreign limited liability company 48.071
Service on agents of nonresidents doing business in the state 48.081
Service on a domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation 48.091
Partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies 48.092
Service on financial institutions 48.101
Service on dissolved corporations, dissolved limited liability companies, dissolved limited partnerships, and dissolved limited liability partnerships 48.102
Service by other means 48.111
Service on public agencies and officers 48.121
Service on the state 48.131
Service on alien property custodian 48.141
Service on labor unions 48.151
Service on statutory agents for certain persons 48.161
Method of substituted service on nonresident 48.171
Service on nonresident motor vehicle owners, etc 48.181
Substituted service on nonresidents and foreign business entities engaging in business in state or concealing their whereabouts 48.183
Service of process in action for possession of premises 48.184
Service of process for removal of unknown parties in possession 48.193
Acts subjecting person to jurisdiction of courts of state 48.194
Personal service in another state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States 48.195
Service of foreign process 48.196
Service of process in connection with actions under the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act 48.197
Service in a foreign country

Current through Fall 2025

§ 48.196. Svc. of process in connection with actions under the Fla. International Commercial Arbitration Act's source at flsenate​.gov