Plain Township, in Stark County near Canton, counts 35,538 residents outside any city or village, and a process server in Plain Township, Stark County, delivers summonses and complaints, subpoenas, eviction notices and other court papers within the unincorporated township. Standard, Rush and 24-Hour timing can be chosen when ordering, and a signed proof of service is emailed after a successful delivery.
What a Process Server Costs in Plain Township
Standard Service, $185: first attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service, $225: first attempt within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service, $265: first attempt within 24 hours. Whether that tier can be offered for a given order is a question of submission time and server availability in the area, and the rates page says outright that it is not promised. Canton and Akron are among the places it names as workable, which is useful context for a township this close to Canton.
If delivery cannot be completed, additional attempts are available at $25 per attempt.
Stark County Sheriff, Bailiff or Private Server?
Certified mail from the clerk is where most cases start. The sheriff, a municipal bailiff or a court-designated server enters the picture only after a written plaintiff request for personal or residence service.
Who May Serve Papers in Stark County: Clerk Mail, Sheriff, Bailiff or Designated Server
Townships like this one are a good reminder that Ohio service rules follow the defendant, not the municipality. Civ.R. 4.1 lets the clerk mail process; with a written request it can instead be delivered personally or left at the defendant's usual residence with a suitable resident. The sheriff handles those requests for common pleas and county courts, the municipal bailiff for defendants within that court's territory.
A person designated by the court under 4.1(E) is the alternative, serving for up to one year after an oath that every 4.1(D) requirement is met. Think age 18 or over, no connection to the case, citizenship or legal residence, photo ID and no recent felony, violence or dishonesty conviction. Process not served within 28 days comes back to the clerk with the reasons. For the unclaimed-mail background see this guide.
Plain Township Courts and the Stark County Courthouse
The Stark County Courthouse, 101 West Tuscarawas Street, Canton, OH 44702, houses Common Pleas and sits about 5.0 miles in a straight line from Plain Township. Canton is the county seat. Municipal or county courts take lower-level civil, small claims and eviction filings; municipal courts generally to $15,000, small claims to $6,000. A township runs on trustees, not a court of its own. Ask the clerk where you file which court covers a given address.
Eviction Notices and Forcible Entry and Detainer Papers in Plain Township
Landlords start with written notice to leave the premises, at least three days before filing under R.C. 1923.04, delivered by hand, at the home or premises or by certified mail. The eviction guide covers the residential wording requirement.
After filing, R.C. 1923.06 sets seven days minimum between service of the summons and the trial date. The serving party should confirm with the clerk how service is handled.
Subpoenas, Hospital Records and Out-of-State Subpoenas near Plain Township
An Ohio subpoena may be served by a sheriff, bailiff, coroner, clerk, constable, a deputy, an attorney, or a person designated under Civ.R. 4.1(E), as Civ.R. 45(B) provides. Hand it over, read it to the witness, leave it at the usual residence or send certified or express mail with return receipt requested. Tender one day's attendance fee and other fees allowed by law on demand. File the return with the clerk. Written objections to a document request can be served within 14 days.
Three hospitals are listed: Mercy Medical Center, 1320 Mercy Drive Nw, Canton, OH 44708, (330) 489-1111, 4.3 miles; Aultman Hospital, 2600 Sixth Street Sw, Canton, OH 44710, (330) 363-9911, 5.5 miles; and Alliance Community Hospital, 200 East State Street, Alliance, OH 44601, (330) 596-6000, 13.9 miles. No police department is listed.
Out-of-state subpoenas go to the Stark County clerk under R.C. 2319.09 for issuance as an Ohio subpoena. See the UIDDA guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Communities Around Plain Township
ZIP codes 44652, 44705, 44720 and 44721 are in the township. Canton is 4.4 miles away, Lake Township 5.2, Jackson Township 5.9, Nimishillen Township 6.4, Green 8.0 and Canton Township 8.0. The Stark County page has background.
Plain Township Process Server FAQ
What if I cannot find the defendant?
Civ.R. 4.4(A) permits publication after an affidavit that the residence is unknown despite reasonable diligence.
Can I serve a subpoena on a hospital or out-of-state witness?
Yes, subject to Civ.R. 45 and R.C. 2319.09. See subpoena service.
How do I serve a business or a township, village or city?
Civ.R. 4.2 lists who receives process for each entity type.