Rule Text
(a) If service cannot be made under the applicable rule the plaintiff may move the court for a special order directing the method of service. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation which has been made to determine the whereabouts of the defendant and the reasons why service cannot be made.
(b) (1) If service of process by publication has been authorized by rule of civil procedure or order of court, the publication shall be by advertising a notice of the action once in the legal publication, if any, designated by the court for the publication of legal notices and in one newspaper of general circulation within the county. The publication shall contain the caption of the action and the names of the parties, state the nature of the action, and conclude with a notice substantially in the following form:
NOTICE
If you wish to defend, you must enter a written appearance personally or by attorney and file your defenses or objections in writing with the court. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you without further notice for the relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
(NAME) (ADDRESS)
(TELEPHONE NUMBER)
Amendment history: The provisions of this Rule 430 adopted July 5, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended June 10, 2003, effective September 1, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2974; amended November 29, 2016, effective January 1, 2017, 46 Pa.B. 7933; amended December 30, 2016, effective January 1, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 178. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (385499) to (385500).
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
This rule covers what happens when a person suing someone (the plaintiff) cannot find or serve the other person (the defendant) using the normal rules for delivering legal papers. If regular delivery methods do not work, the plaintiff can ask the court for special permission to use a different way of notifying the defendant, such as publishing a notice in a newspaper.
To get this permission, the plaintiff must file a motion with the court and include a sworn statement explaining what steps they took to try to find the defendant. This shows the court that the plaintiff made a real effort to locate the person before asking to use an alternative method like publication.
If the court allows notice by publication, the plaintiff must place a notice in a legal newspaper approved by the court and in a regular newspaper that many people in the county read. This notice must include the case name, the parties involved, and a description of what the lawsuit is about.
The notice must also include an official warning telling the defendant that they need to respond to the lawsuit in writing or risk having the case decided against them without further warning. It tells them they could lose money, property, or other important rights if they do nothing. The notice also gives contact information so the person can find a lawyer or learn about free or low cost legal help if they qualify. This process protects the defendant’s right to know about the case, even when they cannot be reached directly.
Committee Notes
A sheriff’s return of ‘‘not found’’ or the fact that a defendant has moved without leaving a new forwarding address is insufficient evidence of concealment. Gonzales v. Polis, 357 A.2d 580 (Pa. Super. 1976). Notice of intended adoption mailed to last known address requires a ‘‘good faith effort’’ to discover the correct address. Adoption of Walker, 360 A.2d 603 (Pa. 1976). An illustration of a good faith effort to locate the defendant includes (1) inquiries of postal authorities including inquiries pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 39 C.F.R. Part 265, (2) inquiries of relatives, neighbors, friends, and employers of the defendant, (3) examinations of local telephone directories, courthouse records, voter registration records, local tax records, and motor vehicle records, and (4) a reasonable internet search.
See Rule 1064 for additional requirements for service of original process by publication for actions to quiet title involving subsurface mineral, oil, or natural gas rights.
The office shall be that designated by the court under Rule 1018.1(c).
(2) When service is made by publication upon the heirs and assigns of a named former owner or party in interest, the court may permit publication against the heirs or assigns generally if it is set forth in the complaint or an affidavit that they are unknown.
