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6 Ways to Serve
A certificate of service can be served to an individual in the following ways:
- Personal Delivery. Handed to the recipient.
- Substitute Service. Leaving with a person residing at the residence. This also requires a copy to be mailed to the same address.
- Posting and Mailing. Sticking the notice on the front door of the residence which also requires a copy to be mailed to the same address.
- Certified Mail. Use the United States Postal Service (USPS) and send certified mail with a return receipt. This requires the recipient to sign and acknowledge acceptance of the notice, which the sender can use as proof of delivery.
| State | Notice-service statute & allowed methods | Official notice form (service section?) | Proof at filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. Code § 35-9A-144(b) — hand delivery, or first-class mail (+3 days); posting not authorized | None | None statewide; clerk practice varies |
| Alaska | AS 09.45.100(c) — hand delivery; leave at premises if tenant absent; registered/certified mail | CIV-725 Notice to Quit – Nonpayment (CIV-726–729 other grounds) — has service section | Notice attached to CIV-730 complaint |
| Arizona | A.R.S. § 33-1313(B) — hand delivery, or registered/certified mail (deemed received 5 days after mailing) | AOC 5-Day Notice + other AOC notices — delivery block (unsworn) | Notice attached; complaint states date + method (Evict. R. 5(b)(7)) |
| Arkansas | Ark. Code § 18-17-303 (official code on Lexis via arkleg.state.ar.us) — hand delivery, or registered/certified mail (proof of mailing = notice); § 18-60-304 3-day notice silent on method | None (A2J landlord packet has a template) | Nothing in statute |
| California | CCP § 1162 — personal; substitute (suitable age at home/work) + mail; post + deliver to any resident + mail. Mail alone invalid for 3-day notices | None; UD-100 complaint item 10 has method checkboxes | Notice attached + method stated (CCP § 1166) |
| Colorado | C.R.S. § 13-40-108 — deliver to tenant; family member 15+ on premises; post only if no one found (forms require 2 prior attempts). No mail | JDF 99 A Demand for Compliance (JDF 99 B/C other notices) — has service section | Notice attached to JDF 101 complaint with method + attempt dates |
| Connecticut | C.G.S. § 47a-23(c) — served by state marshal/proper officer: in hand or at abode. Landlord self-service and mail invalid | JD-HM-7 Notice to Quit — has marshal’s return | Original notice + return attached to complaint (JD-HM-8) |
| Delaware | 25 Del. C. § 5113 — personal or adult at unit; registered/certified mail or first-class with certificate of mailing; posting + certificate of mailing. No e-mail/text | None (JP Court complaint narrative) | Notice attached; complaint states how tenant was told |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Code § 42-3206; nonpayment § 42-3505.01(a-1) — personal; person of proper age; post + first-class mail within 3 days. Nonpayment: certified/tracked mail AND hand delivery or posting (timestamped photo) | RAD Form 10 Notice of Nonpayment (Forms 11–16 other notices) — has affidavit of service | Notice + declaration of service attached (Forms 1B/1C) |
| Florida | Fla. Stat. § 83.56(4) — mail; hand delivery; leave at residence if absent. Courts add 5 days if mailed | Fla. Bar Form 1 (nonpayment), Form 2 (noncompliance) — delivery block only (hand/posted) | Notice attached to complaint (Form 5); no method field |
| Georgia | O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(d) (leases on/after 7/1/2024) — post in sealed envelope on door AND any lease-agreed method. Older leases: no method | None (Dispossessory Affidavit MAG 30-02, no service field) | Nothing specified |
| Hawaii | HRS § 521-68 as amended by Act 278 (2025) (through 2/4/2028) — post on unit (received on posting) or USPS mail (+2 business days). § 521-71 termination: silent | 10-Day Notice of Termination for Nonpayment (per-circuit versions) — no service section | Notice attached to complaint (1DC08) |
| Idaho | Idaho Code § 6-304 — personal; substitute (suitable age) + mail; post + deliver to resident + mail | CAO UD 1 3-Day Notice — no service section; separate CAO UD 2 Affidavit of Service | Notice (Ex. B) + proof (Ex. C) attached to complaint |
| Illinois | 735 ILCS 5/9-211 — deliver to tenant; person 13+ in possession; certified/registered mail with return receipt; post only if no one in possession | Notice of Termination for Non-Payment (E-TR 3505.2) + others — no service section; separate Affidavit of Service of a Demand or Notice (E-AD 3513.2) | Notice + affidavit attached (Ill. S. Ct. R. 139(b)) |
| Indiana | Ind. Code § 32-31-1-9 — serve tenant; if not found, resident at premises (explain contents); if none, affix to premises. No mail | None (statutory text in § 32-31-1-7) | Nothing specified |
| Iowa | Iowa Code § 562A.29A — signed acknowledgment by adult resident; personal service; post on entrance door + regular AND certified mail (mail complete after 4 days) | None | Not at filing; bring proof to hearing |
| Kansas | K.S.A. 61-3803; 58-2564(b) — leave with tenant; person 12+ on premises; post if none found; mail (+2 days) | KJC Pre-Eviction Notice (In-Person / Mail versions) — has service section | Notice attached to KJC petition |
| Kentucky | KRS 383.560(3) (URLTA jurisdictions) — hand delivery or registered/certified mail. Elsewhere KRS 383.195: silent | None (AOC-216 complaint, date only) | Nothing specified |
| Louisiana | La. C.C.P. art. 4701 (“delivered”; no method); art. 4703 — attach to door only if abandoned/closed/whereabouts unknown | None | Nothing specified; varies by court |
| Maine | 14 M.R.S. § 6002 — in hand; after 3 good-faith attempts, first-class mail AND leave at abode (both) | None (CV-256 info sheet must accompany) | Notice attached to CV-007; no method field |
| Maryland | RP § 8-401(c) (nonpayment) — first-class mail with certificate of mailing; affix to door; e-mail/text/portal if tenant elected. § 8-402 termination: silent | DC-CV-115 Notice of Intent to File — has service section | DC-CV-082 complaint states date + method |
| Massachusetts | Silent — G.L. c. 186 § 11, § 12 (“in writing”; receipt must be proved — constable service is the norm). § 31 requires state form with nonpayment notice | None; EOHLC accompanying form (no service section) | Notice + proof of delivery filed at entry (Unif. Summ. Proc. R. 2(d)) |
| Michigan | MCL 600.5718 — personal; household member/employee of suitable age on premises; first-class mail (served next mail day); electronic only with written consent | DC 100a Demand for Possession, DC 100c Notice to Quit — have certificate of service | Notice attached showing when/how served (MCR 4.201(B)(1)(c)) |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. § 504B.321 subd. 1a (14-day nonpayment) — personal or first-class mail. Other notices: silent | None (HOU102 complaint) | 14-day notice attached (subd. 1(d)) |
| Mississippi | Miss. Code § 89-8-13(3), (5) — “in writing,” or e-mail/text if tenant agreed in writing; no method for written notice | None | Notice filed with affidavit/complaint (§ 89-8-33) |
| Missouri | Silent — RSMo § 441.060 (“in writing,” runs from receipt); § 535.020 rent demand need not be written | None | Nothing statewide |
| Montana | MCA § 70-24-108 — in hand; mail with certificate of mailing or certified (+3 days); e-mail to lease address (complete on read receipt/reply). No posting | Notice to Vacate packet — no service section | Notice attached; complaint checks hand/mail |
| Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1413 — in hand; mail to designated/last-known address; e-mail or portal with consent. No posting | None | Compliance pleaded, not attached (§ 76-1441) |
| Nevada | NRS 40.280 — must be served by sheriff/constable/licensed process server/attorney’s agent: personal; substitute + mail; post + deliver to resident + mail | Supreme Court self-help notices (stale); Las Vegas JC 7-Day Notice — has declaration of service | Server’s proof filed before any order (NRS 40.280(4)–(5)); notice attached to affidavit |
| New Hampshire | RSA 540:5 — personally or left at last and usual abode; attested copy + affidavit of service (unsworn OK). No mail | NHJB-3041-D Eviction Notice (mandated) + NHJB-3040-D Demand for Rent — have service certification | Served notice + demand with certifications filed with writ |
| New Jersey | N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 — personal; family member 14+ at abode; certified mail (regular mail if unclaimed). No posting. Nonpayment: no notice required | None (Verified Complaint CN 11252) | All notices attached (R. 6:3-4(d)); no affidavit |
| New Mexico | NMSA § 47-8-13 — nonpayment: hand, mail, or post on exterior door; other notices: posting must be paired with first-class mail or hand delivery | Form 4-901 3-Day Notice (Nonpayment), 4-902, 4-903 — have service section | Notice attached (Ex. A) to Form 4-904 petition |
| New York | RPAPL § 735 (via § 711(2), RPL § 232-a) — personal; substitute; nail-and-mail after attempts; substitute/nail require certified AND regular mail within 1 day. Mail alone invalid. Outside NYC § 232-b: silent | None | Not by statute; courts expect notice + affidavit annexed |
| North Carolina | Silent — G.S. § 42-3, § 42-14; lease clause controls | None (AOC-CVM-201) | Nothing specified |
| North Dakota | N.D.C.C. § 47-32-02 — served like a summons (personal; suitable-age resident; signed-receipt mail); if not found, sheriff/process server posts after attempts | Form 1a Notice of Intention to Evict, 1b — no service section (sheriff certificate / Declaration of Service) | Notice + proof filed with complaint |
| Ohio | R.C. § 1923.04(A) — certified mail RRR; hand to defendant; leave at abode or premises (door posting counts) | None statewide (local, e.g. Toledo) | Not by statute; local courts require notice attached |
| Oklahoma | 41 O.S. § 111(E) — in sequence: personal; family member 12+; then post + certified mail | None | Nothing specified |
| Oregon | ORS 90.155 — personal; first-class mail (+3 days, stated in notice); mail + attach to door if lease allows; e-mail per addendum (+ mail). No certified-only, no posting-only | None (OJD rental-assistance notice must accompany nonpayment notice) | Notice attached (FED complaint) |
| Pennsylvania | 68 P.S. § 250.501(f) — personal; leave at principal building; post conspicuously. No mail | None (AOPC 310A, checkbox only) | Nothing specified |
| Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-14(b); § 34-18-35 — first-class mail (periods run from mailing) or in hand | Statutory forms § 34-18-56; DC-62, DC-63 — have mailing certificate | Notice attached to DC-54; mailing date stated |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code § 27-40-240(B) — in hand or registered/certified mail (proof of mailing = notice) | None (SCCA 732) | Nothing specified |
| South Dakota | 3-day notice repealed 2024 (SDCL § 21-16-2); § 43-8-9 (tenancy at will) — deliver to tenant or person of discretion on premises; affix if not found. No mail | None | Nothing |
| Tennessee | Silent — Tenn. Code § 66-28-106 (written notice to last-known/lease address; e-mail per § 66-28-108); non-URLTA counties § 66-7-109 (official code on Lexis) | None | Nothing specified |
| Texas | Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005(f-3) (eff. 1/1/2026) — mail (first-class, certified, registered, or delivery service); inside premises conspicuously; hand to any tenant 16+; electronic if agreed in writing | None (TJCTC petition has pre-suit notice paragraph) | Sworn petition states when/how delivered (TRCP 510.3) |
| Utah | Utah Code § 78B-6-805 — personal; registered/certified mail; substitute (suitable age); affix if none found | 1001EV 3-Day Pay or Vacate, 1005EV, 1045EV etc. — have return of service | Nothing by statute |
| Vermont | 9 V.S.A. § 4451(1), § 4467 — hand delivery or mail (presumed received 3 days after first-class/certified) | None | Notice attached (12 V.S.A. § 4852) |
| Virginia | Va. Code § 55.1-1200, § 55.1-1202 — regular mail or hand delivery, sender keeps certificate of service; electronic if lease provides | None (DC-421) | Notice presented before order of possession (§ 8.01-126(D)) |
| Washington | RCW 59.12.040 — personal; substitute + mail; post + deliver to resident + mail (mail: +5 days). Mail alone invalid | AG 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate — no service section | Not required; server’s affidavit at hearing |
| West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 37-6-5 (periodic termination) — “served upon” tenant; no method. No pre-suit notice for § 55-3A-1 petition | None | None |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. § 704.21(1) — personal or family member 14+ at abode; person in charge/occupying + mail; post + mail after diligence; registered/certified mail; summons-style service | None | Not statewide; some counties require notice with complaint |
| Wyoming | Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1003 — leave with defendant, or at abode/business if not found. No mail/posting | FED 01 Notice to Quit — no service section; separate FED 02 Affidavit of Service | Notice + affidavit attached to FED 04 complaint |