Pennsylvania Service of Process Rules
Pennsylvania
State Serve Rules
Affidavit
Notary
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 care/custody
Jail Care Custody Service
Facility-specific policy
Jail Personal Service
Yes, state requires service directly on the incarcerated person
Service to a minor
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
No, must serve head of agency
Service of Corporate Person in charge
Yes, may serve person in charge or any employee
Workplace substitute service
Permissible
Substitute Service Rules - Individuals
Due diligence prior to substitute service
Not Required
Minimum age for substitute service
18
Residential substitute service
Permissible
Spousal Service
Not Permissible
Subpoena Personal Service Only?
Subserve to a co-resident permissible
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
Eviction Summons Rules
Mailing
Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
No
Mail if posted
Not Required
Mail if subserve
No
Mail SLA
n/a
Posting Rules
Due Diligence Prior to Posting
Not Required
Posting
Permissible
Eviction Posting Rules
Additional Rules
Additional rules - TM
1) Personal 2) Posting
Affidavit
Notary for Notice
Not required
Mailing
Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
No
Mail SLA
n/a
Proof Specialists
Server/Marshal Required?
Server
**Notary:** Required if not sherrif
**Civil Subpoenas: No Special Rules**
**Can serve on Sundays**
**INDIVIDUAL 14+**
+ Personal
+ Substituted
+ Dwelling/house/Usual place of abode
- Family member living there 18 years or older
+ Work/Business
- Leave with person in charge
+ Residing in Hotel/Boarding Room
- Manager of Hotel/Boarding Room/etc.
**PARTNERSHIPS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS**
+ Registered agent, clerk on duty in the office of a registered agent, partner or general partner
- 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
**CORPORATIONS**
+ Registered agent, clerk on duty in the office of a registered agent, officer, or director of the corporation
- 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
**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.**
+ Presiding officer of the governing body or their agent
**MINOR OR INCAPACITED PERSON**
+ Individually or Parent, Guardian, conservator of Estate
**POSTING (EVICTIONS)**
+ Allowed
