What is the minimum notice period for a New York civil motion?

Under CPLR 2214, a notice of motion must be served at least 8 days before the return date. If the motion is based on an order to show cause, the timing is set by the court in the order. Cross-motions are due 3 days before the return date.

Can motion papers be served by mail instead of personal service?

CPLR 2103 permits service of motion papers by mail if the receiving party has appeared in the action. Mail service adds 5 days to the notice period. Personal service by a process server is faster and produces a cleaner proof of service.

Do you serve motions at law firm offices?

Yes, and that is the most common scenario. We serve at the law firm address of record for opposing counsel, obtain a time-stamped delivery record, and return a notarized affidavit.

Process Serving

Serve Court Motions in New York

Motions in New York civil and criminal proceedings must be served on all parties within specified time frames set by CPLR and the applicable court's rules. A motion that is not properly served may be rejected or result in an adjournment that loses a strategic advantage. We serve motions and supporting papers on time.

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What we do

How we handle court motions

We serve notice of motion, affidavits, memoranda of law, and supporting exhibits on opposing counsel or pro se parties at the address of record. Service is completed in accordance with CPLR 2103 and 2214 requirements, with a notarized affidavit returned on completion.

Timeline

Motion papers must be served a specified number of days before the return date — typically 8, 10, or 16 days depending on the type of motion and the court. Submit your service request as soon as the motion is filed to ensure compliance.

Pricing

Residential service in NYC and Long Island starts at $135. Corporate address service is $115. All tiers include a notarized affidavit.

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FAQ

Questions about serving court motions

What is the minimum notice period for a New York civil motion?: Under CPLR 2214, a notice of motion must be served at least 8 days before the return date. If the motion is based on an order to show cause, the timing is set by the court in the order. Cross-motions are due 3 days before the return date.
Can motion papers be served by mail instead of personal service?: CPLR 2103 permits service of motion papers by mail if the receiving party has appeared in the action. Mail service adds 5 days to the notice period. Personal service by a process server is faster and produces a cleaner proof of service.
Do you serve motions at law firm offices?: Yes, and that is the most common scenario. We serve at the law firm address of record for opposing counsel, obtain a time-stamped delivery record, and return a notarized affidavit.

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