- J
- f
- D
New York State Professional Process Servers Association is seeking donations for the purpose of enlisting lobbyists and publicists to launch a multi-faceted campaign on the issues below. The funds donated will support the Association in counteracting measures that are detrimental to New York City process servers and out-of-state process servers who receive work from New York State. In regards to the Secretary of State proposal (see below), this will have a direct impact on the ability of New York State process servers to serve corporations through the Secretary of State. In addition, Albany, NY process serving agencies will be directly affected. Most importantly, the Secretary of State proposal could set a dangerous precedent by increasing the use of electronic means to serve process in New York and other states.
Since we anticipate immediately searching for lobbyists and publicists, we need the funds as soon as possible. We appreciate as many donations to sustain the efforts to protect our collective profession. Thank you for your support.
LOGBOOK BILL
Since 1970, some 51 years ago, the New York State Dept of Consumer Affairs has required, because of section 8 of the General Business Law of the State of NY, use of a manual handwritten paginated logbook describing process services performed on a daily basis. At the time these laws were enacted, annual inscription was the sole method available to record services. In the 51 years that have passed, many changes have occurred regarding this method of recording. With the advent of electronic recording, manual recording has become ineffective and obsolete. The fact that it still exists, presents the court with an effective and redundant way of recording services which have become a burden to process servers in New York City. Furthermore, this obsolete and antiquated method of recording is not indelible. The current recording methods that are prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs of New York City present them and the courts indelible record of service that cannot be tampered with. In too many instances, logbooks have been lost, stolen or damaged. With the electronic recordings, these options are not available. In summary, electronic recording is a far superior way of prescribing services and most importantly remove the necessity of face to face confrontations between examiner and servicer.
SECRETARY OF STATE
A proposal from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget revealed a request by the Governor to amend the Business Corporation Law, General Business Law, Limited Liability Law, Company Law, Partnership Law and Real Property Law. This amendment will allow process to be served on the New York Secretary of State through electronic system operated by the Department of State. This bill would authorize the Secretary of State to forward notice of service of process to entities by email and then make copies of process available to such entities. In particular pursuant to BCL 306, which is predominant service currently performed, this would drastically change the role of the process server particularly in the Albany region. The corporation subject to this amended method of service would have to had previously "opted" into the system. This bill would take effect on January 1, 2023. NYSPPSA is opposed to this proposal and though it is in its embryonic state, we must be diligent in gathering oppositional support.
CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY
The certificate of conformity has been a burden to process servers both in New York State and outside New York State for many years. It's based on statues in the CPLR and RPL which require authentication of a notary's signature outside of New York when incorporated into an affidavit of service in that state. The New York State courts will not enter default judgments for service done outside the state without a certificate of conformity which certifies the signature and license of the notary. Since this is done by a certificate, it must be done by an attorney. NYSPPSA has on several occasions attempted to craft legislation to amend the NY Civil Practice Law to allow out of state process servers, under the penalty of perjury, for services performed in their states on services coming out of the state of New York. This certificate will remove the notary requirement and therefore would not require a certificate of conformity. Because of this onerous requirement, many New York State process serving companies are being compelled to send their New York City services to sheriffs who statutorily do not have to do an affidavit of service. This is in contradiction to NAPPS' desire to use out of state process servers.
NEW YORK STATE PROCESS SERVER LICENSE BILL
Bill AO4473 was reintroduced into the New York State Assembly on February 4, 2021 which requires any party who serves 5 or more process in any one year be required to have a New York State License. Fee is $500.00 for two years.
Process servers must stick together, we must unify. We are less than a week away from our Fundraiser. We need everyone’s help to tackle the challenges we have ahead of us. We encourage all to donate to this important cause. Thank you for your support.
Since we anticipate immediately searching for lobbyists and publicists, we need the funds as soon as possible. We appreciate as many donations to sustain the efforts to protect our collective profession. Thank you for your support.
LOGBOOK BILL
Since 1970, some 51 years ago, the New York State Dept of Consumer Affairs has required, because of section 8 of the General Business Law of the State of NY, use of a manual handwritten paginated logbook describing process services performed on a daily basis. At the time these laws were enacted, annual inscription was the sole method available to record services. In the 51 years that have passed, many changes have occurred regarding this method of recording. With the advent of electronic recording, manual recording has become ineffective and obsolete. The fact that it still exists, presents the court with an effective and redundant way of recording services which have become a burden to process servers in New York City. Furthermore, this obsolete and antiquated method of recording is not indelible. The current recording methods that are prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs of New York City present them and the courts indelible record of service that cannot be tampered with. In too many instances, logbooks have been lost, stolen or damaged. With the electronic recordings, these options are not available. In summary, electronic recording is a far superior way of prescribing services and most importantly remove the necessity of face to face confrontations between examiner and servicer.
SECRETARY OF STATE
A proposal from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget revealed a request by the Governor to amend the Business Corporation Law, General Business Law, Limited Liability Law, Company Law, Partnership Law and Real Property Law. This amendment will allow process to be served on the New York Secretary of State through electronic system operated by the Department of State. This bill would authorize the Secretary of State to forward notice of service of process to entities by email and then make copies of process available to such entities. In particular pursuant to BCL 306, which is predominant service currently performed, this would drastically change the role of the process server particularly in the Albany region. The corporation subject to this amended method of service would have to had previously "opted" into the system. This bill would take effect on January 1, 2023. NYSPPSA is opposed to this proposal and though it is in its embryonic state, we must be diligent in gathering oppositional support.
CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY
The certificate of conformity has been a burden to process servers both in New York State and outside New York State for many years. It's based on statues in the CPLR and RPL which require authentication of a notary's signature outside of New York when incorporated into an affidavit of service in that state. The New York State courts will not enter default judgments for service done outside the state without a certificate of conformity which certifies the signature and license of the notary. Since this is done by a certificate, it must be done by an attorney. NYSPPSA has on several occasions attempted to craft legislation to amend the NY Civil Practice Law to allow out of state process servers, under the penalty of perjury, for services performed in their states on services coming out of the state of New York. This certificate will remove the notary requirement and therefore would not require a certificate of conformity. Because of this onerous requirement, many New York State process serving companies are being compelled to send their New York City services to sheriffs who statutorily do not have to do an affidavit of service. This is in contradiction to NAPPS' desire to use out of state process servers.
NEW YORK STATE PROCESS SERVER LICENSE BILL
Bill AO4473 was reintroduced into the New York State Assembly on February 4, 2021 which requires any party who serves 5 or more process in any one year be required to have a New York State License. Fee is $500.00 for two years.
Process servers must stick together, we must unify. We are less than a week away from our Fundraiser. We need everyone’s help to tackle the challenges we have ahead of us. We encourage all to donate to this important cause. Thank you for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Vincent Gillis
Beneficiary