Finland Process Server
Finland Process Service Company
| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Party to Hague Service Convention Yes |
Service by Central Authority Yes |
| Party to Hague Evidence Convention Yes |
Service by Postal Channels Yes |
| Party to Hague Apostille Convention Yes |
Service by process servers / bailiffs / huissiers etc Yes |
| Party to Inter-American Convention No |
Service documents need translation Conditional1 (Finnish or Swedish) |
OVERVIEW
Finland is a signatory to Hague Service Convention as well as to Regulation (EU) 2020/1784 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (the EU Recast Regulations).
Finland raises no objections to service by mail—and makes clear it has no duty to help with private service—signaling that parties are free to use their own process server or bailiff.
Formal Service
Formal Hague service is a strong bet in Finland. The Central Authority moves quickly—averaging about four weeks—and translations usually aren’t required for internationally engaged companies. All signs point to formal service as the recommended route.
Informal Service
Even with Finland’s fast, convenient formal service, some litigants still opt for informal methods—especially when racing against tight deadlines or looking to cut translation costs.
PROCESS IN FINLAND
Service of Process
Finland is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters. Complete details on the operation of the Convention, including an interactive online request form, are available on the Hague Conference website.
Requests must be submitted in duplicate, along with two sets of the documents to be served, directly to Finland’s Central Authority for the Hague Service Convention. In the U.S., the person completing the request form must be either an attorney or a court clerk. Applicants should include the title “attorney at law” or “clerk of court” in the identity, address, and signature/stamp fields.
Under its Declarations and Reservations on the Hague Service Convention , Finland does not object to service via postal channels under Article 10(a). However, Finnish authorities are not obliged to assist in serving documents transmitted using the methods outlined in Articles 10(b) and 10(c).
For additional information, see the Hague Conference Service Convention web page , the Hague Conference Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Hague Service Convention , and Finland’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire.
Service on a Foreign State
For guidance on serving a foreign state, agency, or instrumentality, see our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist.
Service of Documents from Finland in the United States
For information about service in the U.S., see the U.S. Central Authority for the Service Convention page of the Hague Conference on Private International Law Service Convention site.
CRIMINAL MATTERS
Prosecution Requests: U.S. federal or state prosecutors should contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.
Defense Requests in Criminal Matters: Criminal defendants or their counsel seeking judicial assistance to obtain evidence or serve documents abroad in criminal cases may use the letters rogatory process.
Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
Finland is a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters. The Central Authority for Finland, designated to receive letters of request, is the Ministry of Justice. Guidance on preparing letters of request is available in the Hague Evidence Convention Model Letters of Request.
Letters of Request should be prepared in duplicate. No translation from English is required. Requests for compulsory evidence under the Convention are sent directly from the U.S. requesting court or person to the Finland Central Authority, without needing diplomatic channels. See Finland Declarations and Reservations on the Hague Evidence Convention and Finland’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire for more information.
Requests from Finland to Obtain Evidence in the United States: The U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention is the Office of International Judicial Assistance, Civil Division, Department of Justice, 1100 L Street N.W., Room 8102, Washington, D.C. 20530.
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
Voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in civil and commercial matters are allowed regardless of the witness’s nationality. Depositions, either oral or on written questions, may be conducted by U.S. consular officers or private attorneys at the U.S. Embassy or other locations such as a hotel or office, either on notice or pursuant to a commission.
If a U.S. consular officer is required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter, or stenographer, arrangements must be made in advance directly with the U.S. Embassy.
Authentication of Documents
Finland is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Finland’s competent authority issues Apostilles to authenticate Finnish public documents.
For information on authenticating U.S. public documents for use in Finland, see the list of U.S. Competent Authorities. To obtain an Apostille for a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Vital Records Office.
About Us
If you need assistance with serving legal documents in Finland the right way, consult with an experienced international process server or legal expert to ensure compliance and avoid costly errors.
Office Locations
United States of America:
5101 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 8 PMB1330
Los Angeles, CA 90029
United States
Phone: + 1 (213) 786 1161
United Kingdom:
275 New North Road Islington 1896
London N1 7AA,
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (20) 38905643
Australia, New Zealand and Far East Asia:
Level 6, 607 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone: +61 2 7259 7299
Middle East and Africa:
FAMC1732, Compass Building, Al Shohada Road
AL Hamra Industrial Zone-FZ, Ras Al Khaimah
United Arab Emirates
Phone: +44 (20) 38905643
Website: https://stellarkonsulting.com/
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Finland Service of Process
International Process Servers covering all locations in Finland
DISCLAIMER:
Information provided is for general reference purposes only and may not be fully accurate in every individual case. For matters requiring interpretation or application of specific foreign laws, inquiries should be directed to the relevant foreign authorities or qualified foreign legal counsel.
