Form 8A: Affidavit of Service

What the 8A is

Form 8A is the sworn statement proving that a document — a Plaintiff’s Claim, Defence, motion, or notice — was actually served on the other party, stating who served it, on whom, when, where, and by what method.

It matters because nothing moves without it: you cannot note a defendant in default, get default judgment, or often even get a hearing date until valid service is proven. Different documents have different permitted service methods (a Plaintiff’s Claim generally needs personal service or an approved alternative), so the affidavit must match a method the rules actually allow for that document.

How to fill it out

1. Identify the document served and the person served, exactly as named in the proceeding.
2. Method: tick the method used — personal service (handed to the person), service on a corporation (leaving it with an officer/director or person at the place of business who appears to manage it), mail, courier, or an alternative the rules permit for that document.
3. Details: date, time, and address of service. For personal service, describe how the server identified the person.
4. Swear or affirm it before a commissioner of oaths (court staff, a paralegal, or a lawyer can commission it).
5. File it with the court and keep a copy. If a process server served the documents, they prepare and swear the 8A — a paralegal or lawyer who serves can use the 8B certificate instead.