Legal Definitions - certificate of service

A certificate of service is a document that is included in a legal filing, such as a pleading or motion, that certifies to the court that a copy of the filing has been mailed or otherwise served to all other parties involved in the case.

For example, if a lawyer files a motion with the court, they must also provide a certificate of service that shows they have sent a copy of the motion to all other parties involved in the case. This ensures that everyone is aware of the filing and has the opportunity to respond.

It's important to note that a certificate of service is not typically included with the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit, as that document is usually filed before it is served. However, other pleadings and motions throughout the case will require a certificate of service.