Substitute service, also known as Sub-Service, occurs when legal documents are delivered to a co-resident of the named subject, rather than the subject themselves. This method is only valid if:
✅ The named subject and the person receiving the documents both currently reside at the service address.
👉 Review your State Specific page, along with court & customer requirements to determine if substitute service is disallowed.
Legal Requirements for Substitute Service
Please consult your State Specific page to ensure proper substitute service requirements.
⚖️ Laws vary by state, but in most cases, substitute service is allowed under these conditions:
Diligent Attempts at Personal Service
◾ Personal service must have been attempted multiple times.
👉 In some jurisdictions and case types, a single attempt may be sufficient before substitute service is permitted.
Recipient Must Be a Co-Resident
◾ The person accepting the documents must currently reside at the same address as the named subject.
◾ If the address is an apartment or duplex, they must live in the same unit as the subject.
Obtain Recipient’s Name Whenever Possible
◾ Always try to get the full name of the person accepting the documents.
👉 In some jurisdictions and case types, Doe service may not be valid and require a full name to be accepted.
Follow-Up Mailing Requirement (Varies by state)
◾ Check your State Specific page for mailing requirements.
🔔 Note: If they refuse, please refer to Refusal of Service.