|
Indiana
Process Serving Laws
(Rules of Civil Procedure in the
United States)
Quick Answers:
Who can be a process server in
Indiana?
Any adult over the age of eighteen
(18) years old, that is not a party
to the case, or a member of a
corporation or organization that is
a party, may serve (deliver) the
papers.
Does Indiana require process
servers to be licensed?
No.
Are there any day or time restrictions to
service of process in Indiana?
No.
Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure
are from
CivilProcedure.info
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
site
Because the laws of process service
may change from time to time, please
check the
Indiana Courts website for
updated rules of civil procedure in
Indiana.
Rules of Civil
Procedure in Indiana:
Rule
4. Process
1. Jurisdiction Over Parties or
Persons - In General. The court
acquires jurisdiction over a party
or person who under these rules
commences or joins in the action, is
served with summons or enters an
appearance, or who is subjected to
the power of the court under any
other law.
2. Preparation of Summons and
Praecipe. Contemporaneously with the
filing of the complaint or
equivalent pleading, the person
seeking service or his attorney
shall promptly prepare and furnish
to the clerk as many copies of the
complaint and summons as are
necessary. The clerk shall examine,
date, sign, and affix his seal to
the summons and thereupon issue and
deliver the papers to the
appropriate person for service.
Affidavits, requests, and any other
information relating to the summons
and its service as required or
permitted by these rules shall be
included in a praecipe attached to
or entered upon the summons. Such
praecipe shall be deemed to be a
part of the summons for purposes of
these rules. Separate or additional
summons shall, as provided by these
rules, be issued by the clerk at any
time upon proper request of the
person seeking service or his
attorney.
3. Form of Summons. The summons
shall contain:
- The name and address of the
person on whom the service is to
be effected;
- The name of the court and
the cause number assigned to the
case;
- The title of the case as
shown by the complaint, but, if
there are multiple parties, the
title may be shortened to
include only the first named
plaintiff and defendant with an
appropriate indication that
there are additional parties;
- The name, address, and
telephone number of the attorney
for the person seeking service;
- The time within which these
rules require the person being
served to respond, and a clear
statement that in case of his
failure to do so, judgment by
default may be rendered against
him for the relief demanded in
the complaint. The summons may
also contain any additional
information which will
facilitate proper service.
4. Designation of Manner of
Service. The person seeking
service or his attorney may
designate the manner of service
upon the summons. If not so
designated, the clerk shall
cause service to be made by mail
or other public means provided
the mailing address of the
person to be served is indicated
in the summons or can be
determined. If a mailing address
is not furnished or cannot be
determined or if service by mail
or other public means is
returned without acceptance, the
complaint and summons shall
promptly be delivered to the
sheriff or his deputy who,
unless otherwise directed, shall
serve the summons.
5. Summons and Complaint Served
Together - Exceptions. The
summons and complaint shall be
served together unless otherwise
ordered by the court. When
service of summons is made by
publication, the complaint shall
not be published. When
jurisdiction over a party is
dependent upon service of
process by publication or by his
appearance, summons and
complaint shall be deemed to
have been served at the end of
the day of last required
publication in the case of
service by publication, and at
the time of appearance in
jurisdiction acquired by
appearance. Whenever the summons
and complaint are not served or
published together, the summons
shall contain the full,
unabbreviated title of the case.
Rule 4.1. Summons:
Service on individuals
1. In General. Service may be
made upon an individual, or an
individual acting in a
representative capacity, by:
- sending a copy of the
summons and complaint by
registered or certified mail
or other public means by
which a written
acknowledgment of receipt
may be requested and
obtained to his residence,
place of business or
employment with return
receipt requested and
returned showing receipt of
the letter; or
- delivering a copy of the
summons and complaint to him
personally; or
- sending a copy of the
summons and complaint by
registered or certified mail
or other public means by
which a written
acknowledgment of receipt
may be requested and
obtained to his residence,
place of business or
employment with return
receipt requested and
returned showing receipt of
the letter; or
- serving his agent as
provided by rule, statute or
valid agreement.
2. Copy Service to Be
Followed With Mail. Whenever
service is made under Clause
(3) or (4) of subdivision
(A), the person making the
service also shall send by
first class mail, a copy of
the summons without the
complaint to the last known
address of the person being
served, and this fact shall
be shown upon the return.
Amended Dec. 7, 1970,
effective Jan. 1, 1971.
Rule 4.2. Summons:
Service upon infant or
incompetents
1. Service Upon Infants.
Service upon an individual
known to be an infant shall
be made upon his next friend
or guardian ad litem, if
service is with respect to
the same action in which the
infant is so represented. If
there is no next friend or
guardian ad litem, service
shall be made upon his
court-appointed
representative if one is
known and can be served
within this state. If there
is no court-appointed
representative, service
shall be made upon either
parent known to have custody
of the infant, or if there
is no parent, upon a person
known to be standing in the
position of custodian or
parent. The infant shall
also be served if he is
fourteen [14] years of age
or older. In the event that
service, as provided above,
is not possible, service
shall be made on the infant.
2. Service Upon
Incompetents. Service upon
an individual who has been
adjudged to be of unsound
mind, otherwise incompetent
or who is believed to be
such shall be made upon his
next friend or guardian ad
litem, if service is with
respect to the same action
in which the incompetent is
so represented. If there is
no next friend or guardian
ad litem, service shall be
made upon his
court-appointed
representative if one is
known and can be served
within this state. If there
is no court-appointed
representative, then upon
the named party and also
upon a person known to be
standing in the position of
custodian of his person.
3. Duty to Inform Court -
Appearance. Nothing herein
is intended to affect the
duty of a party to inform
the court that a person is
an infant or incompetent. An
appearance by a
court-appointed guardian,
next friend or guardian ad
litem or his attorney shall
correct any defect in
service under this section
unless such defect be
challenged.
Rule 4.3. Summons:
Service upon
institutionalized persons
Service of summons upon a
person who is imprisoned or
restrained in an institution
shall be made by delivering
or mailing a copy of the
summons and complaint to the
official in charge of the
institution. It shall be the
duty of said official to
immediately deliver the
summons and complaint to the
person being served and
allow him to make provisions
for adequate representation
by counsel. The official
shall indicate upon the
return whether the person
has received the summons and
been allowed an opportunity
to retain counsel.
Rule 4.4. Service
upon persons in actions for
acts done in this state or
having an effect in this
state
1. Acts Serving as a Basis
for Jurisdiction. Any person
or organization that is a
nonresident of this state, a
resident of this state who
has left the state, or a
person whose residence is
unknown, submits to the
jurisdiction of the courts
of this state as to any
action arising from the
following acts committed by
him or her or his or her
agent:
- doing any business
in this state;
- causing personal
injury or property
damage by an act or
omission done within
this state;
- causing personal
injury or property
damage in this state by
an occurrence, act or
omission done outside
this state if he
regularly does or
solicits business or
engages in any other
persistent course of
conduct, or derives
substantial revenue or
benefit from goods,
materials, or services
used, consumed, or
rendered in this state;
- having supplied or
contracted to supply
services rendered or to
be rendered or goods or
materials furnished or
to be furnished in this
state;
- owning, using, or
possessing any real
property or an interest
in real property within
this state;
- contracting to
insure or act as surety
for or on behalf of any
person, property or risk
located within this
state at the time the
contract was made;
- living in the
marital relationship
within the state
notwithstanding
subsequent departure
from the state, as to
all obligations for
alimony, custody, child
support, or property
settlement, if the other
party to the marital
relationship continues
to reside in the state;
or
- abusing, harassing,
or disturbing the peace
of, or violating a
protective or
restraining order for
the protection of, any
person within the state
by an act or omission
done in this state, or
outside this state if
the act or omission is
part of a continuing
course of conduct having
an effect in this state.
2. Manner of service.
A person subject to the
jurisdiction of the
courts of this state
under this rule may be
served with summons:
- As provided by
Rules 4.1 (service
on individuals), 4.5
(service upon
resident who cannot
be found or served
within the state),
4.6 (service upon
organizations), 4.9
(in rem actions); or
- The person shall
be deemed to have
appointed the
Secretary of State
as his agent upon
whom service of
summons may be made
as provided in Rule
4.10.
- More convenient
forum. Jurisdiction
under this rule is
subject to the power
of the court to
order the litigation
to be held elsewhere
under such
reasonable
conditions as the
court in its
discretion may
determine to be
just. In the
exercise of that
discretion the court
may appropriately
consider such
factors as:
- Amenability
to personal
jurisdiction in
this state and
in any
alternative
forum of the
parties to the
action;
- Convenience
to the parties
and witnesses of
the trial in
this state in
any alternative
forum;
- Differences
in conflict of
law rules
applicable in
this state and
in the
alternative
forum; or
- Any other
factors having
substantial
bearing upon the
selection of a
convenient,
reasonable and
fair place of
trial.
3. Forum Non
Conveniens -
Stay or
Dismissal. No
stay or
dismissal shall
be granted due
to a finding of
forum non
conveniens until
all properly
joined
defendants file
with the clerk
of the court a
written
stipulation that
each defendant
will:
- submit
to the
personal
jurisdiction
of the
courts of
the other
forum; and
- waive
any defense
based on the
statute of
limitations
applicable
in the other
forum with
respect to
all causes
of action
brought by a
party to
which this
subsection
applies.
4. Order
on Forum Non
Conveniens -
Modification.
The court
may, on
motion and
notice to
the parties,
modify an
order
granting a
stay or
dismissal
under this
subsection
and take any
further
action in
the
proceeding
as the
interests of
justice may
require. If
the moving
party
violates a
stipulation
required by
subsection
(D), the
court shall
withdraw the
order
staying or
dismissing
the action
and proceed
as if the
order had
never been
issued.
Notwithstanding
any other
law, the
court shall
have
continuing
jurisdiction
for the
purposes of
this
subsection.
Amended
Dec. 7,
1970,
effective
Jan. 1,
1971;
amended
effective
Nov. 10,
1988;
amended Dec.
5, 1996,
effective
Feb. 1,1995;
amended Dec.
23, 1996,
effective
March 1,
1997 .
Rule 4.5.
Summons
Service upon
resident who
cannot be
found or
served
within the
state When
the person
to be served
is a
resident of
this state
who cannot
be served
personally
or by agent
in this
state and
either
cannot be
found, has
concealed
his
whereabouts
or has left
the state,
summons may
be served in
the manner
provided by
Rule 4.9
(summons in
in rem
actions).
Rule 4.6.
Service upon
organizations
1. Persons
to be
served.
Service upon
an
organization
may be made
as follows:
- In
the case
of a
domestic
or
foreign
organization
upon an
executive
officer
thereof,
or if
there is
an agent
appointed
or
deemed
by law
to have
been
appointed
to
receive
service,
then
upon
such
agent.
- In
the case
of a
partnership,
upon a
general
partner
thereof.
- In
the case
of a
state
governmental
organization
upon the
executive
officer
thereof
and also
upon the
attorney
general;
- In
the case
of a
local
governmental
organization
upon the
executive
thereof,
and if a
statute
provides
for an
attorney
to
represent
the
local
government
organization,
and an
attorney
occupies
such
position,
then
also
upon
such
attorney.
-
When, in
subsections
(c) and
(d) of
this
subdivision,
a
governmental
representative
is named
as a
party in
his
individual
name or
in such
name
along
with his
official
title,
then
also
upon
such
representative.
2.
Manner
of
service.
Service
under
subdivision
(A) of
this
rule
shall be
made on
the
proper
person
in the
manner
provided
by these
rules,
for
service
upon
individuals,
but a
person
seeking
service
or his
attorney
shall
not
knowingly
direct
service
to be
made at
the
person's
dwelling
house or
place of
abode,
unless
such is
an
address
furnished
under
the
requirements
of a
statute
or valid
agreement,
or
unless
an
affidavit
on or
attached
to the
summons
states
that
service
in
another
manner
is
impractical.
3.
Service
at
organization's
office.
When
shown
upon an
affidavit
or in
the
return,
that
service
upon an
organization
cannot
be made
as
provided
in
subdivision
(A) or
(B) of
this
rule,
service
may be
made by
leaving
a copy
of the
summons
and
complaint
at any
office
of such
organization
located
within
this
state
with the
person
in
charge
of such
office.
Rule
4.7.
Summons
Service
upon
agent
named by
statute
or
agreement
Whenever
an agent
(other
than an
agent
appointed
to
receive
service
for a
governmental
organization
of this
state)
has been
designated
by or
pursuant
to
statute
or valid
agreement
to
receive
service
for the
person
being
served,
service
may be
made
upon
such
agent as
follows:
1. If
the
agent is
a
governmental
organization
or
officer
d3esignated
by or
pursuant
to
statute,
service
shall be
made as
provided
in Rule
4.10.
2. If
the
agent is
one
other
than
that
described
above,
service
shall be
made
upon him
as
provided
in Rule
4.1
(service
upon
individuals)
or 4.6
(service
upon
organizations).
If
service
cannot
be made
upon
such
agent,
because
there is
no
address
furnished
as
required
by
statute
or valid
agreement
or his
whereabouts
in this
state
are
unknown,
then his
principal
shall be
deemed
to have
appointed
the
Secretary
of State
as a
replacement
for the
agent
and
service
may be
made
upon the
Secretary
of State
as
provided
in Rule
4.10.
Rule
4.8.
Summons
Service
of
pleadings
or
summons
on
Attorney
General
Service
of a
copy of
the
summons
and
complaint
or any
pleading
upon the
Attorney
General
under
these
rules or
any
statute
shall be
made by
personal
service
upon
him, a
deputy
or clerk
at his
office,
or by
mail or
other
public
means to
him at
such
office
in the
manner
provided
by Rule
4.1(A)(1),
and by
Rule
4.11 to
the
extent
applicable.
Rule
4.9.
Summons:
In rem
actions
1. In
general.
In any
action
involving
a res
situated
within
this
state,
service
may be
made as
provided
in this
rule.
The
court
may
render a
judgment
or
decree
to the
extent
of its
jurisdiction
over the
res.
2.
Manner
of
service.
Service
under
this
rule may
be made
as
follows:
-
By
service
of
summons
upon
a
person
or
his
agent
pursuant
to
these
rules;
or
-
By
service
of
summons
outside
this
state
in a
manner
provided
by
Rule
4.1
(service
upon
individuals)
or
by
publication
outside
this
state
in a
manner
provided
by
Rule
4.13
(service
by
publication)
or
outside
this
state
in
any
other
manner
as
provided
by
these
rules;
or
-
By
service
by
publication
pursuant
to
Rule
4.13.
Rule
4.10.
Summons:
Service
upon
Secretary
of
State
or
other
governmental
agent
1.
In
general.
Whenever,
under
these
rules
or
any
statute,
service
is
made
upon
the
Secretary
of
State
or
any
other
governmental
organization
or
officer,
as
agent
for
the
person
being
served,
service
may
be
made
upon
such
agent
as
provided
in
this
rule.
- The person seeking service or his attorney shall:
- submit his request for service upon the agent in the praecipe for summons, and state that the governmental organization or officer is the agent of the person being served;
- state the address of the person being served as filed and recorded pursuant to a statute or valid agreement, or if no such address is known, then his last known mailing address, and if no such address is known, then such shall be stated;
- pay any fee prescribed by statute to be forwarded together with sufficient copies of the summons, affidavit and complaint, to the agent by the clerk of the court.
- Upon receipt thereof the agent shall promptly:
- send to the person being served a copy of the summons and complaint by registered or certified mail or by other public means by which a written acknowledgment of receipt may be obtained;
- complete and deliver to the clerk an affidavit showing the date of the mailing, or if there was no mailing, the reason therefor;
- send to the clerk a copy of the return receipt along with a copy of the summons;
- file and retain a copy of the return receipt.
Rule 4.11. Summons: Registered or certified mail
Whenever service by registered or certified mail or other public means by which a return receipt may be requested is authorized, the clerk of the court or a governmental agent under Rule 4.10 shall send the summons and complaint to the person being served at the address supplied upon the summons, or furnished by the person seeking service. In his return the clerk of the court or the governmental agent shall show the date and place of mailing, a copy of the return receipt if and when received by him showing whether the mailing was accepted or returned, and, if accepted, by whom. The return along with the receipt shall be promptly filed by the clerk with the pleadings and become a part of the record. If a mailing by the clerk of the court is returned without acceptance, the clerk shall reissue the summons and complaint for service as requested, by the person seeking service. - Amended Dec. 7, 1970, effective Jan. 1, 1971.
Rule 4.12. Summons: Service by sheriff or other officer
1. In general. Whenever service is made by delivering a copy to a person personally or by leaving a copy at his dwelling house or place of employment as provided by Rule 4.1, summons shall be issued to and served by the sheriff, his deputy, or some person specially or regularly appointed by the court for that purpose. Service shall be effective if made by a person not otherwise authorized by these rules, but proof of service by such a person must be made by him as a witness or by deposition without allowance of expenses therefore as costs. The person to whom the summons is delivered for service must act promptly and exercise reasonable care to cause service to be made.
2. Special service by police officers. A sheriff, his deputy, or any full-time state or municipal police officer may serve summons in any county of this state if he agrees or has agreed to make the service. When specially requested in the praecipe for summons, the complaint and summons shall be delivered to such officer by the clerk or the attorney for the person seeking service. No agreement with the sheriff or his deputy for such service in the sheriff's own county shall be permitted. In no event shall any expenses agreed upon under this provision be assessed or recovered as costs or affect court costs otherwise imposed for regular service.
3. Service in other counties. A summons may be served in any county in this state. If service is to be made in another county, the summons may be issued by the clerk for service therein to the sheriff of such county or to a person authorized to make service by these rules.
4. Service outside the state. Personal service, when permitted by these rules to be made outside the state, may be made there by any disinterested person or by the attorney representing the person seeking such service. The expenses of such person may be assessed as costs only if they are reasonable and if service by mail or other public means cannot be made or is not successful.
Rule 4.13. Summons: Service by publication.
1. Praecipe for summons by publication. In any action where notice by publication is permitted by these rules or by statute, service may be made by publication. Summons by publication may name all the persons to be served, and separate publications with respect to each party shall not be required. The person seeking such service, or his attorney, shall submit his request therefore upon the praecipe for summons along with supporting affidavits that diligent search has been made[,] that the defendant cannot be found, has concealed his whereabouts, or has left the state, and shall prepare the contents of the summons to be published. The summons shall be signed by the clerk of the court or the sheriff in such manner as to indicate that it is made by his authority.
2. Contents of summons by publication. The summons shall contain the following information:
- The name of the person being sued, and the person to whom the notice is directed, and, if the person's whereabouts are unknown or some or all of the parties are unknown, a statement to that effect;
- The name of the court and cause number assigned to the case;
- The title of the case as shown by the complaint, but if there are multiple parties, the title may be shortened to include only the first named plaintiff and those defendants to be served by publication with an appropriate indication that there are additional parties;
- The name and address of the attorney representing the person seeking service;
- A brief statement of the nature of the suit, which need not contain the details and particulars of the claim. A description of any property, relationship, or other res involved in the action, and a statement that the person being sued claims some interest therein;
- A clear statement that the person being sued must respond within thirty [30] days after the last notice of the action is published, and in case he fails to do so, judgment by default may be entered against him for the relief demanded in the complaint.
3. Publication of summons. The summons shall be published three [3] times by the clerk or person making it, the first publication promptly and each two [2] succeeding publications at least seven [7] and not more that fourteen [14] days after the prior publication, in a newspaper authorized by law to publish notices, and published in the county where the complaint or action is filed, where the res is located, or where the defendant resides or where he was known last to reside. If no newspaper is published in the county, then the summons shall be published in the county in this state nearest thereto in which any such paper may be printed, or in a place specially ordered by the court. The person seeking the service or his attorney may designate any qualified newspaper, and if he fails to do so, the selection may be made by the clerk.
4. By whom made or procured. Service of summons by publication shall be made and procured by the clerk, by a person appointed by the court for that purpose, or by the clerk or sheriff of another county where publication is to be made.
5. Return. The clerk or person making the service shall prepare the return and include the following:
- Any supporting affidavits of the printer containing a copy of the summons which was published;
- An information or statement that the newspaper and the publication meet all legal requirements applicable to such publication;
- The dates of publication
- The return and affidavits shall be filed with the pleadings and other papers in the case and shall become a part of the record as provided in these rules.
Rule 4.14. Territorial limits and service under special order
1. Territorial limits of effective service. Process may be served anywhere within the territorial limits of this state and outside the state as provided in these rules.
2. Service under special order of court. Upon application of any party the court in which any action is pending may make an appropriate order for service in a manner not provided by these rules or statutes when such service is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual knowledge of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard.
Rule 4.15. Summons: Proof of Service - Return - Amendments - Defects
1. Return - Form. The person making service shall promptly make his return upon or attach it to a copy of the summons which shall be delivered to the clerk. The return shall be signed by the person making it, and shall include a statement:
- that service was made upon the person as required by law and the time, place, and manner thereof;
- if service was not made, the particular manner in which it was thwarted in terms of fact or in terms of law;
- such other information as is expressly required by these rules.
2. Return and affidavits as evidence. The return, along with the summons to which it is attached or is a part, the praecipe for summons, affidavits furnished with the summons or praecipe for summons, and all other affidavits permitted by these rules shall be filed by the clerk with the pleadings and other papers in the case and thereupon shall become a part of the record, and have such evidentiary effect as is now provided by law. Copies of such record shall be admissible in all actions and proceedings and may be entered in any public records when certified over the signature of the clerk or his deputy and the clerk's seal.
3. Proof of filing and issuance dates. The clerk shall enter a filing date upon every praecipe, pleading, return, summons, affidavit or other paper filed with or entered of record by him. The clerk shall also enter an issuance date upon any summons issued, mailed or delivered by him, or other communication served or transmitted by him under these rules. Such filing or issuance date shall constitute evidence of the date of filing or issuance without further authentication when entered in the court records, or when the paper or a copy thereof is otherwise properly offered or admitted into evidence.
4. Admission of service. A written admission stating the date and place of service, signed by the person being served, may be filed with the clerk who shall file it with the pleadings. Such admission shall become a part of the record, constitute evidence of proper service, and shall be allowed as evidence in any action or proceeding.
5. Amendment. At any time in its discretion and upon such terms as it deems just, the court may allow any process or proof of service thereof to be amended unless it clearly appears that material prejudice would result to the substantial rights of the person against whom the process is issued.
6. Defects in summons. No summons or the service thereof shall be set aside or be adjudged insufficient when either is reasonably calculated to inform the person to be served that an action has been instituted against him, the name of the court, and the time within which he is required to respond.
Rule 4.16. Summons: Duties of persons to aid in service
1. It shall be the duty of every person being served under these rules to cooperate, accept service, comply with the provisions of these rules, and, when service is made upon him personally, acknowledge receipt of the papers in writing over his signature.
- Offering or tendering the papers to the person being served and advising the person that he or she is being served is adequate service.
- A person who has refused to accept the offer or tender of the papers being served thereafter may not challenge the service of those papers.
2. Anyone accepting service for another person is under a duty to:
- promptly deliver the papers to that person;
- promptly notify that person that he holds the papers for him; or
- within a reasonable time, in writing, notify the clerk or person making the service that he has been unable to make such delivery of notice when such is the case.
3. No person through whom service is made under these rules may impose any sanction, penalty, punishment, or discrimination whatsoever against the person being served because of such service. Any person willfully violating any provision of this rule may be subjected to contempt proceedings.
Amended Oct. 30, 1992, effective Jan. 1, 1993.
Rule 4.17. Summons: Certain proceedings excepted.
Rules 4 through 4.16 shall not replace the manner of serving summons or giving notice as specially provided by statute or rule in proceedings involving, without limitation, the administration of decedent's estates, guardianships, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors.
Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleading and Other Papers
1. Service: When Required. Unless otherwise provided by these rules or an order of the court, each and special judge, if any, party shall be served with:
- every order required by its terms to be served;
- every pleading subsequent to the original complaint;
- every written motion except one which may be heard ex parte;
- every brief submitted to the trial court;
- every paper relating to discovery required to be served upon a party; and
- every written notice, appearance, demand, offer of judgment, designation of record on appeal, or similar paper.
No service need be made on parties in default for failure to appear, except that pleadings asserting new or additional claims for relief against them shall be served upon them in the manner provided by service of summons in Rule 4.
2. Service: How made. Whenever a party is represented by an attorney of record, service shall be made upon such attorney unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court. Service upon the attorney or party shall be made by delivering or mailing a copy of the papers to him at his last known address.
- 1. Delivery. Delivery of a copy within this rule means:
- offering or tendering it to the attorney or party and stating the nature of the papers being served. Refusal to accept an offered or tendered document is a waiver of any objection to the sufficiency or adequacy of service of that document;
- leaving it at his office with a clerk or other person in charge thereof, or if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous place therein; or
- if the office is closed, by leaving it at his dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein; or,
- leaving it at some other suitable place, selected by the attorney upon whom service is being made, pursuant to duly promulgated local rule.
- 2. Service by Mail. If service is made by mail, the papers shall be deposited in the United States mail addressed to the person on whom they are being served, with postage prepaid. Service shall be deemed complete upon mailing Proof of service of all papers permitted to be mailed may be made by written acknowledgment of service, by affidavit of the person who mailed the papers, or by certificate of an attorney. It shall be the duty of attorneys when entering their appearance in a cause or when filing pleadings or papers therein, to have noted on the chronological case summary or said pleadings or papers so filed the address and telephone number of their office. Service by delivery or by mail at such address shall be deemed sufficient and complete.
3. Same: Numerous defendants. In any action in which there are unusually large numbers of defendants, the court, upon motion or of its own initiative, may order
- that service of the pleadings of the defendants and replies thereto need not be made as between the defendants;
- that any cross-claim, counterclaim, or matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense contained therein shall be deemed to be denied or avoided by all other parties; and
- that the filing of any such pleading and service thereof upon the plaintiff constitutes due notice of it to the parties. A copy of every such order shall be served upon the parties in such manner and form as the court directs.
4. Filing.
- 1. Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (2) hereof, all pleadings and papers subsequent to the complaint which are required to be served upon a party shall be filed with the Court either before service or within a reasonable period of time thereafter.
- No deposition or request for discovery or response thereto under Trial Rules 27, 30, 31, 33, 34 or 36 shall be filed with the Court unless:
- A motion is filed pursuant to Trial Rule 26(C) or Trial Rule 37 and the original deposition or request for discovery or response thereto is necessary to enable the Court to rule; or
- A party desires to use the deposition or request for discovery or response thereto for evidentiary purposes at trial or in connection with a motion, and the Court, either upon its own motion or that of any party, or as a part of any pre-trial order, orders the filing of the original.
- Custody of original and Period of Retention:
- The original of a deposition shall, subject to the provisions of Trial Rule 30(E), be delivered by the reporter to the party taking it and shall be maintained by that party until filed with the Court pursuant to paragraph (2) or until the later of final judgment, agreed settlement of the litigation or all appellate rights have been exhausted.
- The original or any request for discovery or response thereto under Trial Rules 27, 30, 31, 33, 34 and 36 shall be maintained by the party originating the request or response until filed with the Court pursuant to paragraph (2) or until the later of final judgment, agreed settlement or all appellate rights have been exhausted.
- In the event it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the Court that the original of a deposition or request for discovery or response thereto cannot be filed with the Court when required, the Court may allow use of a copy instead of the original.
- The filing of any deposition shall constitute publication.
5. Filing With the Court Defined. The filing of pleadings, motions, and other papers with the court as required by these rules shall be made by one of the following methods:
- Delivery to the clerk of the court;
- Sending by electronic facsimile transmission under the procedure adopted pursuant to Administrative Rule 12;
- Mailing to the clerk by registered or certified mail return receipt requested; or
- If the court so permits, filing with the judge, in which event the judge shall note thereon the filing date and forthwith transmit them to the office of the clerk. Filing by registered or certified mail shall be complete upon mailing.
Filing by registered or certified mail shall be complete upon mailing.
[As amended December 11, 1969, effective midnight December 31, 1969; amended November 13, 1979, effective January 1, 1980; amended October 15, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended November 13, 1990, effective January 1, 1991; amended October 25, 1991, effective January 1, 1992; amended October 30, 1992, effective January 1, 1993; amended December 5, 1994, and effective February 1, 1995; amended December 4, 1998, effective January 1, 1999.]
Rule 45. Subpoena
For Attendance of Witnesses - Form - Issuance.
1. Every subpoena shall:
- state the name of the court;
- state the title of the action (without naming more than the first named plaintiffs and defendants in the complaint and the case number); and
- command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at a time and place therein specified.
2. The clerk shall issue a subpoena, or a subpoena for the production of documentary evidence, signed and sealed but otherwise in blank, to a party requesting it or his or her attorney, who shall fill it in before service. An attorney admitted to practice law in this state, as an officer of the court, may also issue and sign such subpoena on behalf of (a) a court in which the attorney has appeared for a party; or (b) a court in which a deposition or production is compelled by the subpoena, if the deposition or production pertains to an action pending in a court where the attorney has appeared for a party in that case.
For production of documentary evidence.
A subpoena may also command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents, or tangible things designated therein; but the court, upon motion made promptly and in any event at or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance therewith, may
1. quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive or
2. condition denial of the motion upon the advancement by the person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things.
Service.
A subpoena may be served by the sheriff or his deputy, a party or any person. Service of a subpoena upon a person named therein shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to such person. Service may be made in the same manner as provided in Rule 4.1, Rule 4.16 and Rule 5(B).
Subpoena for taking depositions - Place of examination.
1. Proof of service of a notice to take a deposition as provided in Rules 30(B) and 31(A) constitutes a sufficient authorization for the issuance by the clerk of court for the county in which the deposition is to be taken of subpoenas for the persons named or described therein. The subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to produce designated books, papers, documents, or tangible things which constitute or contain matters within the scope of the examination permitted by Rule 26(B), but in that event the subpoena will be subject to the provisions of Rule 26(C) and subdivision (B) of this rule. 2. An individual may be required to attend an examination only in the county wherein he resides or is employed or transacts his business in person, or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of court. A nonresident of the state may be required to attend only in the state and county wherein he is served with a subpoena, or within forty [40] miles from the place of service, or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of court. A non-resident plaintiff may be required to attend at his own expense an examination in the county of this state where the action is commenced or in a county fixed by the court.
Subpoena for a hearing or trial.
At the request of any party subpoenas for attendance at a hearing or trial shall be issued by the clerk of court of the county in which the action is pending when requested, or, in the case of a subpoena for the taking of a deposition, by the clerk of court of the county in which the action is so pending or in the county in which the deposition is being taken. A subpoena may be served at any place within the state; and when permitted by the laws of the United States, this or another state or foreign country, the court upon proper application and cause shown may authorize the service of a subpoena outside the state in accordance with and as permitted by such law.
Contempt.
Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon him may be deemed a contempt of the court from which the subpoena issued, or court of the county where the witness was required
thereunder to appear or act. The attendance of all witnesses when duly subpoenaed, and to whom fees have been paid or tendered as required by law may be enforced by attachment.
Tender of fees.
Service of a subpoena upon a person named therein shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to such person who shall be required to attend outside his county of residence as provided in section (C), and by so tendering to him the fees for one [1] day's attendance and the mileage allowed by law. Such tender shall not be required to be made to a party who is subpoenaed or to an officer, employee, agent or representative of a party which is an organization, including the estate or any governmental organization, who is being examined upon any matter connected in any way with his employment or with duties to the organization.
Proof of service of subpoena - Fees.
When a subpoena is served by the sheriff or his deputy, his return shall be proof of service. When served by any other person the service must be shown by affidavit. No fees or costs for the service of a subpoena shall be collected or charged as costs except when service is made by the sheriff or his deputy.
Search-For-Servers.com does not warrant the accuracy of these laws. The laws
listed on Search-For-Servers.com are
only a starting point for reference,
and are not meant to be legal advice or a replacement for legal console. Please consult a process
server in your area, county, or
state if you have any questions
about process service there.
Learn
more about Search-For-Servers.com |