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Methods of Service on Individuals by State

Description
ALABAMA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(c) provides for either personal service or residence service. If a written request is filed with clerk, Rule 4.1(c) allows service by certified mail, restricted delivery.
ALASKA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d)(1) provides for either personal service or residence service. In addition, Rule 4(h) allows for service by certified mail, restricted delivery.
ARIZONA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4.1(d) provides for either waiver of service, personal service, or residence service.
ARKANSAS Court Rules, Rule 4(d) provides for either personal service or residence service. In addition, Rule 4(d)(8)(A) allows for service by certified mail, restricted delivery. Further, Rule 4(d)(8)(B) allows for service by first-class mail postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
CALIFORNIA Code of Civil Procedure, § 415.10 provides for personal service. § 415.20 provides for residence or office service. § 415.30 provides for service by first-class mail postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
COLORADO Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(e) allows for personal or residence service.
CONNECTICUT General Statutes § 52-57 allows for personal or residence service.
DELAWARE Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules, Rule 4(f) provides for personal or residence service.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Superior Court - Civil Procedure Rule 4(c)(2) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 4(c)(4) allows for service by first-class mail postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service. Rule 4(c)(3) allows service by registered or certified mail.
FLORIDA Florida Statutes, 48.031 allows for personal or residence service.
GEORGIA Georgia Code § 9-11-4 allows for either waiver of service, personal or residence service.
GUAM Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service.
HAWAII Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service.
IDAHO Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d)(2) allows for personal or residence service.
ILLINOIS Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 5/2-203 allows for personal or residence service.
INDIANA Rules of Trial Procedure, Rule 4.1(A) allows for personal, residence, or registered or certified mail service.
IOWA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 56.1 allows for personal or residence service.
KANSAS Code of Civil Procedure, § 60-303(d) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, § 60-303(c) allows for certified mail, restricted delivery, or other personal delivery service.
KENTUCKY Rules of Civil Procedure, 4.04 allows for personal or residence service.
LOUISIANA Code of Civil Procedure, Article 1232 allows for personal service. Article 1234 allows for residence service.
MAINE Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 4(c)(1) allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
MARYLAND Rule 2-121(a) allows for either personal service, residence service, or certified mail, restricted delivery service.
MASSACHUSETTS Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service. Service on state government, county, town, or political subdivision can be made by registered or certified mail.
MICHIGAN Court Rules 2.105(A) allows for either personal, registered mail, or certified mail, restricted delivery service.
MISSISSIPPI Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 4(c)(3) allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
MINNESOTA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4.03 allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 4.05 allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
MISSOURI Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 54.13 allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 54.16 allows for service by first class mail, postage prepared, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
MONTANA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4D allows for personal service. In addition, Rule 4D allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
NEBRASKA Nebraska Revised Statutes § 25-505.01 allows for either personal service, residence service, or certified mail service.
NEVADA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service.
NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire Revised Statutes, § 510:2 allows for personal or residence service.
NEW JERSEY Civil Practice Rules, Rule 4:4-4(a)(1) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 4:4-4(c) allows for either registered, certified, or ordinary mail service, which is effective only if the party serves answers or otherwise appears in response to the lawsuit.
NEW MEXICO Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 1-004(F) allows for personal or residence service. In addition, Rule 1-004(E) allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
NEW YORK Civil Practice Law and Rules, § 308 allows for personal or residence service. In addition, § 312-a allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
NORTH CAROLINA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(j)(1) allows for either personal, residence, or registered or certified mail, restricted delivery service.
NORTH DAKOTA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for either personal, residence, or registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, or other personal delivery service.
OHIO Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4.1 allows for either personal, residence, or certified, or express mail service.
OKLAHOMA Oklahoma Statutes, Title 12 § 2004(C) allows for personal residence service or certified mail, restricted delivery service.
OREGON Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 7(D)(2) allows for either personal, residence, office, or registered or certified mail service.
PENNSYLVANIA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 402 allows for either personal, residence, or office service.
PUERTO RICO Puerto Rico Laws, Title 32, App. III, Rule 4.4 allows for personal service.
RHODE ISLAND Superior Court Civil Rules, Rule 4(e) provides for personal or residence service if there is no waiver of service.
SOUTH CAROLINA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for either personal, residence, or registered or certified mail, restricted delivery service.
SOUTH DAKOTA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 15-6-4(d) allows for personal service. In addition, Rule 15-6-4(i) allows for service by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must attempt personal service.
TENNESSEE Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4.04 allows for personal, residence, or registered or certified mail service.
TEXAS Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 106 allows for personal, or registered or certified mail service.
UTAH Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(e) allows for personal or residence service.
VIRGINIA Virginia Code § 8.01-296 allows for personal or residence service.
VERMONT Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service if there is no waiver of service.
VIRGIN ISLANDS Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service if there is no waiver of service.
WASHINGTON Superior Court Rules, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service.
WEST VIRGINIA Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for either personal or residence service. If personal service is unsuccessful, registered or certified mail, restricted delivery service is allowed. If registered or certified mail service is unsuccessful, service may be made by first-class mail, postage prepaid, together with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment of receipt of summons and complaint, and a return envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to sender. If no acknowledgment is received within 20 days, must again attempt personal service.
WISCONSIN Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 801.11 allows for personal service. If personal service is unsuccessful, residence service is allowed.
WYOMING Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d) allows for personal or residence service.

Note: The information related to the service of court process that is contained on this web site is general information and not intended to be an exhaustive or definitive explanation or depiction of Federal rules of procedures for the service of process. Readers are directed to the Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure; personal legal counsel; the United States Code, Titles 18 and 28; their local U.S. Attorney's Office and District Court for specific, authoritative guidance.