Florida Statutes section 48.061, the section governing service on partnership entities, uses different routes for general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, and certain foreign entities.
Service of process means formal delivery and proof of legal papers. Section 48.061 does not give every partnership the same recipient hierarchy, so intake starts with the exact legal name and entity type.
For a general partnership that is not an LLP or LP, process may be served on any partner. If no partner is available during regular business hours, a partner may designate an employee or agent. After one attempt on a partner or designee, service may be made on the person in charge during regular business hours.
A limited liability partnership, or LLP, is a partnership registered for liability-limiting status. Service starts with its then-current registered agent. If the LLP lacks one, or one good-faith attempt cannot reach the agent because of noncompliance with Chapter 48 or 620, the route may move to a partner, a designated employee, then a person in charge after the stated attempt.
A limited partnership, or LP, separates general and limited partner roles. A limited liability limited partnership, or LLLP, is an LP with additional liability status. Service starts with the then-current agent. If the agent route fails under the statute's conditions, process may be served on a general partner.
A registered agent is the person or business listed to receive legal papers for the entity. A general partner is a partner with management authority under the entity structure. Current records help counsel identify the directed starting route.
Send the exact entity name, type, filed agent information, documents, address, ZIP, deadline, and counsel instructions. LLC and corporation service follows different statutes; see the LLC and corporation guide.
PLS follows the attorney-directed route and records attempts. For LLP and LP routes, a good-faith attempt means the specific initial effort described by section 48.061 before a conditional alternate recipient may be considered.
Due diligence means the documented effort required before certain alternate routes may be available. If those routes fail, section 48.061 references substituted service through the Secretary of State under section 48.161 or a court-authorized alternative under section 48.102. Neither is automatic. A section 48.102 route requires due diligence, a motion, and court authorization. Counsel must direct those steps.
The return of service is the proof document that records when and where process was served, identifies the person served and the manner of service, and states required server details. Florida permits an authorized electronic signature. Missing required facts or a signature invalidates the return unless it is amended through the issuing court. Review the return-of-service guide.
A foreign LLP required to comply with section 620.9102 follows the domestic LLP route; a foreign LP required to comply with section 620.1902 follows the domestic LP route. A foreign LLP or LP doing business in Florida without registration is treated for service purposes as a nonresident doing business in Florida and may be served under section 48.181 or by court order under section 48.102. Counsel should select and approve the route.
For a general partnership with a Department of State agent, service on that agent is valid for the partnership, but unless individual partners are served, section 48.061 limits proceeding to partnership assets. For a domestic LP, service on a general partner or registered agent carries the section's stated judgment-and-execution consequences, with a separate LLLP limitation. These legal consequences require attorney review and should not be inferred from service status alone.
The Florida Chapter 48 hub puts this entity-specific route in context. PLS is not a law firm and does not choose the legally sufficient method when authority or conditions are uncertain.
The route depends on whether the entity is a general partnership, LLP, LP, LLLP, or foreign partnership entity. Florida Statutes section 48.061 sets different recipient and attempt conditions for each.
For a domestic LLP or domestic LP, including an LLLP, section 48.061 directs service first to the then-current registered agent shown in the entity's specified filings.
No. Section 48.061 references that route only after its stated conditions and due diligence are met. Counsel should direct the legal method.
Send the exact entity name and type, documents, registered-agent or partner information, service address, ZIP, deadline, and attorney instructions.
Send the exact entity type, documents, agent or partner details, service ZIP, deadline, and attorney instructions.
Order Service →Pro Legal Serve is a licensed Florida investigative agency (FL PI Agency License #A3300059), not a law firm. This page is general information, not legal advice.