Rule 2.516. Service

(a) Service of Filed Documents. The filer of a document must serve it on all other parties as provided in this rule unless:

(1) the document is the first pleading filed in the action and is being served under the statutes and rules applicable to service of process;

(2) a statute, rule, or administrative court order of the Florida Supreme Court provides for a different method of service, and the document is served under that method;

(3) a statute, rule, or court order requires or permits the document to be filed without being served;

(4) the document is an application for a witness subpoena; or

(5) a default has been entered against the party and service is not required by law or another court rule.

(b) Service; How Made. Service must be made as follows unless the parties agree otherwise.

(1) Portal Service. Documents filed through the portal must be served using the portal's e-service function. The portal will transmit a copy of the document electronically to each address on the service list, including the filer. Service on each listed recipient is complete on filing, but the filer must immediately serve by any permitted means any intended recipient that the filer learns did not receive a filed document.

(2) Email Service.

(A) On Unrepresented Parties. A party not represented by an attorney must file and serve a designation of a primary e-mail address and up to 2 additional e-mail addresses for service using Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration Form 2.602 unless the unrepresented party:

(i) is in custody; or

(ii) declares on Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration Form 2.601, under penalty of perjury, that the party does not have an e-mail account or does not have regular access to the Internet. The clerks of court must make this form available to the public at their offices and on their websites.

(B) Other Electronic Service.

(i) If a document is filed using an electronic court filing facility other than the portal, or if the document will be electronically served but not filed, service must be made by attaching the document in PDF format to an e-mail message and transmitting it to the recipient's e-mail address(es).

(ii) If an attorney cannot be served at the email address in the signature block or if there is no e-mail address in the signature block, the attorney may be served at the attorney's official Florida Bar e-mail address.

(C) Format of E-mail Service. The title of the email message serving a document must begin with "SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT" and be followed by the case number and a reasonable abbreviation of the style of the case. The body of the email message must contain the style of the case, the title of the document, and the name and telephone number of the person serving the document. Service by e-mail is complete when sent.

(3) Service of Paper Documents.

(A) An unrepresented party who is in custody or who has signed the declaration on Form 2.601 may serve paper documents.

(B) A paper copy must be served on an unrepresented party if that party is not a Florida Bar member or an attorney who has been admitted pro hac vice and the party:

(i) is in custody;

(ii) signed the declaration on Form 2.601; or

(iii) has failed to register for the portal or designate an e-mail address for service. The failure of a judge, magistrate, clerk, or other court official to serve a paper copy of a judgment or order in compliance with this subdivision does not affect the validity of the judgment or order, its finality, or any proceedings arising in the action.

(C) When service of paper is permitted or required, the paper must be served by hand delivery, United States mail, or other commercial delivery service at the address where process was served unless a court or the party designated a different address. Service by mail is complete on mailing. Service by delivery is complete on the day of delivery.

(c) Service on Judge or Other Court Official. Documents filed under rule 2.525 must not be served on the judge or other court official under this rule unless service is required by a statute, rule, administrative order, or court order. If permitted, service on a judge or other court official must be made electronically under subdivision (b) and the Florida Courts Technology Standards.

(d) Oversized Documents. For any document that must be served but is too large for portal or e-mail service, the party must serve the document in compliance with the Florida Courts Technology Standards.

(e) Technical Standards. Service must comply with the Florida Courts Technology Standards but noncompliance with technical requirements does not invalidate service unless the court so orders.

(f) Certificate of Service. A person establishes prima facie proof of service by including the following:

(1) certification;

(2) date of service;

(3) name(s) of person(s) served

(4) service address(es); and

(5) method of service. The following sample certificate complies with this rule: "I certify that on ….(date)….this document has been furnished to (here insert name(s) and service address(es) by (here insert method of service such as portal, e-mail, delivery, or mail). Attorney at Law"