Tennessee Service of Process Rules
Tennessee
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
Yes, state requires service on the warden or person in charge
Jail Personal Service
Facility-specific policy
Service to a minor
parent/guardian
Proof Specialists
Mirrors Fed Rules
Yes
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
No, must serve agent/officer
Workplace substitute service
Not Permissible
Substitute Service Rules - Individuals
Due diligence prior to substitute service
Required
Minimum age for substitute service
Suitable age and discretion
Residential substitute service
Permissible
Spousal Service
Not Permissible
Subpoena Personal Service Only?
Yes
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
Not Permissible
Eviction Summons Rules
Mailing
Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
No
Mail if posted
Required
Mail if subserve
No
Mail SLA
14
Posting Rules
Due Diligence Prior to Posting
Required (3 attempts)
Posting
Permissible
Eviction Posting Rules
Additional Rules
Additional rules - TM
1) Personal 2) Mail 3) eMail
Affidavit
Notary for Notice
Not required
Mailing
Certified Mail
No
Mail always?
Yes
Mail SLA
14
Proof Specialists
Server/Marshal Required?
Server
**Notary:** Required
**Civil Subpoenas: No special rules**
**Sunday service: No Sundays except by Court Order**
**Must attach summons to affidavit of service when filing**
**INDIVIDUAL**
+ Personal
+ Substituted
+ Only if servee evades or attempts to evade service
+ Then at the dwelling/house/usual place of abode
- On any resident, suitable age
- Informed of the contents thereof
**BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS AND LLCS**
+ Registered agent
+ Partner or managing agent
**CORPORATIONS**
+ Registered agent
+ Officer or managing agent
**PUBLIC ENTITY (STATE, COUNTY, CITY, ETC.)**
+ State - Attorney General
+ County/municipality/entity - chief executive officer
- Sub on county attorney
+ Sub on county court clerk
**MINOR OR INCOMPETENT PERSON**
+ Parent, guardian or conservator
- If no such person can be found, any person having the care or control of such minor at their house
