Certificate of Service - Illinois
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — ILLINOIS
Before you use this: This certificate records service of documents other than original process and complaint on parties not in default under Illinois Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12. Identify every recipient, the actual method used, and any court order governing service. File proof when service is required. Do not sign before service occurs.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY, ILLINOIS
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| [PLAINTIFF / PETITIONER] | Plaintiff / Petitioner |
| v. | |
| [DEFENDANT / RESPONDENT] | Defendant / Respondent |
Case No.: [________________________________]
Document(s) served: [TITLES AND DATES: __________________________________]
Service record
I, [SERVER FULL NAME], state that I served the document(s) identified above on the following persons. For a represented party, service was directed to the attorney of record under Rule 11(a). For a self-represented party, service was directed to that party. If a limited-scope appearance remains in force, both the attorney and party were served under Rule 11(f).
| Recipient and capacity | Service address or location | Method actually used | Date and time |
|---|---|---|---|
| [NAME; ATTORNEY/PARTY] | [DESIGNATED E-MAIL OR PHYSICAL ADDRESS] | [METHOD] | [DATE/TIME] |
| [NAME; ATTORNEY/PARTY] | [DESIGNATED E-MAIL OR PHYSICAL ADDRESS] | [METHOD] | [DATE/TIME] |
| [NAME; ATTORNEY/PARTY] | [DESIGNATED E-MAIL OR PHYSICAL ADDRESS] | [METHOD] | [DATE/TIME] |
For each recipient, complete the applicable details below. Attach an additional page if methods differ.
- ☐ Electronic filing manager / approved EFSP: Automated service verification identifies each recipient e-mail address and transmission time; attach or retain that verification. Envelope or transaction ID: [________________________________].
- ☐ Direct e-mail: Sent on [__/__/____] at [TIME: ____] from [SENDER ADDRESS] to each address listed above. The recipient address is listed in the filed appearance, in the EFSP by that recipient, or in a court-record designation under Rule 11(c)(1). Record any failed transmission notice and corrective service: [________________________________].
- ☐ Personal, attorney-office, or self-represented-party residence delivery: Delivered on [__/__/____] at [TIME: ____] to [NAME] at [PLACE: __________________________________]. For residence delivery, identify the family member age 13 or older who received it: [________________________________].
- ☐ U.S. mail: Deposited on [__/__/____] at [TIME: ____] at [PLACE: __________________________________], postage prepaid, to the complete address(es) shown above.
- ☐ Third-party commercial carrier: Delivered to [CARRIER] on [__/__/____] at [TIME: ____] at [PLACE: __________________________________], delivery charge prepaid, to the complete address(es) shown above. Tracking: [________________________________].
If a nonelectronic method was used, the Rule 11(c)(2) basis is: ☐ self-represented recipient without e-mail ☐ rule or court order: [IDENTIFY] ☐ extraordinary circumstances preventing timely electronic service: [DESCRIBE]. Rule 12(b) requires method-specific proof; the factual details above must match the service actually made.
Certification and signature
Under penalties as provided by law pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109, the undersigned certifies that the statements set forth in this certificate are true and correct, except as to matters stated on information and belief, and as to those matters the undersigned certifies that the undersigned verily believes them to be true.
Server signature: [________________________________]
Printed name: [________________________________]
Date signed: [__/__/____]
Business or mailing address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
E-mail, if applicable: [________________________________]
Sources and References
About this template
- Last updated
- October 6, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 6, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Illinois
- Category
- Litigation & Court Documents
Legal authority
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(a) (represented and self-represented recipients)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(c)(1) (electronic service addresses)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(c)(2) (alternative methods)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(f) (limited-scope appearance service)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(a) (filing proof of service)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(b) (manner of proof)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(c) (effective service date)
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 131(d) (filer contact and designated e-mail address)
- 735 ILCS 5/1-109 (certification under penalty of perjury)
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 6, 2026.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(a) (checked October 6, 2026): "If a party is represented by an attorney of record, service shall be made upon the attorney. Otherwise service shall be made upon the party."
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(c)(1) (checked October 6, 2026): "Electronic service may be made on a party via e-mail or through an approved electronic filing service provider (EFSP) to the following e-mail addresses:"
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(c)(2) (checked October 6, 2026): "If a self-represented party does not have an e-mail address, or if service other than electronic service is specified by rule or order of court, or if extraordinary circumstances prevent timely electronic service in a particular instance, service of documents may be made by one of the following alternative methods:"
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(f) (checked October 6, 2026): "After an attorney files a Notice of Limited Scope Appearance in accordance with Rule 13(c)(6), service of all documents shall be made on both the attorney and the party represented on a limited scope basis"
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