Maryland Service of Process Rules
Maryland
State Serve Rules
Affidavit
Notary
Not Required
Refusal service
Yes, state defines as "refusal" on the affidavit
Mailing
Mail for corporate substitute service
Not Required
Mail for substitue service
Not Required
Minors, Incapacitated, and Jail
Incapacitated individuals + care/custody
Must serve individual + care/custody
Jail Care Custody Service
Facility-specific policy
Jail Personal Service
Facility-specific policy
Service to a minor
individual and parent/guardian
Proof Specialists
Mirrors Fed Rules
No
M&O
Not required for service
Substitute Service Rules - Business / Entity
Corporate subservice at a residence
Not Permissible
Government substitute service
Yes, may serve a designated employee
Service of Corporate Person in charge
No, must serve agent/officer
Workplace substitute service
Not Permissible
Substitute Service Rules - Individuals
Due diligence prior to substitute service
Not Required
Minimum age for substitute service
Suitable age and discretion
Residential substitute service
Permissible
Spousal Service
Not Permissible
Subpoena Personal Service Only?
Yes (can subserve "agent")
Substitute serve by posting (Nail & Mail)
Not permissible, must serve documents
When and where can you serve?
Endorcing the Summons prior to serving
Not required
Serve at a nursing home
Client policy
Sunday Service
Permissible (no writs of distraint, eviction or posession)
Eviction Summons Rules
Additional Rules - Eviction Summons
Additional rules - TM
Sheriff only
Mailing
Certified Mail
n/a
Mail always?
n/a
Mail if posted
n/a
Mail if subserve
n/a
Posting Rules
Due Diligence Prior to Posting
n/a
Posting
n/a
Eviction Posting Rules
Affidavit
Notary for Notice
n/a
Mailing
Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
Yes
Mail SLA
3
Proof Specialists
Server/Marshal Required?
Sheriff
**Notary:** Not Required
**Civil Subpoenas must be personally served.**
**Can serve on Sundays**
**INDIVIDUAL**
+ Personal
+ Substituted
+ To co-resident of suitable age and discretion at usual place of abode
**PARTNERSHIPS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS**
+ Registered agent or general partner
**CORPORATIONS**
+ Registered agent, president, secretary, or treasurer
- Subservice on any director, vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, or other person expressly or impliedly authorized to receive service of process.
**LLC**
+ Registered agent, clerk on duty in the office of a registered agent, manager, or member
- substituted service per above upon the registered agent, officer, or director
- Sub service on any clerk or agent of the corporation who may be found in the county where the action is filed
**PUBLIC ENTITY- STATE**
+ Attorney General, or a person designated by the Attorney General in office
**PUBLIC ENTITY- COUNTIES, CITIES, ETC.**
+ Residing agent or officer of agency OR Attorney General
**MINOR**
+ Must serve minor as individual AND
+ Parent, Guardian, conservator of Estate
- If none exist, adult caring for minor or adult residing with minor
**INCAPACITED PERSON**
+ Must serve incapacited as individual AND
+ Guardian or conservator of Estate
**POSTING (EVICTIONS)**
+ Allowed
