Rule 511 Service of Summons; Proof of Service

This rule was amended in 2004 to require that the summons be served by both first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested.

Nothing in this rule is intended to preclude a judicial district from utilizing the United States Postal Service’s return receipt electronic option, or any similar service that electronically provides a return receipt, when using certified mail, return receipt requested.

Paragraph (B) sets forth what constitutes proof of service of the summons by mail in a court case for purposes of these rules.

Original Rule 111, adopted June 30, 1964, effective January 1, 1965; suspended January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970. New Rule 111 adopted January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; renumbered Rule 112 September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; renumbered Rule 511 March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended August 24, 2004, effective August 1, 2005; amended May 1, 2007, effective September 4, 2007, and May 1, 2007 Order amended May 15, 2007; Comment revised September 18, 2008, effective February 1, 2009.

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).

Final Report explaining the August 24, 2004 amendments adding new paragraph (B) concerning proof of service published with the Court’s Order at 34 Pa.B. 5025 (September 11, 2004).

Final Report explaining the May 1, 2007 amendments amending paragraph (B)(2) concerning proof of service published with the Court’s Order at 37 Pa.B. 2503 (June 2, 2007).

Final Report explaining the September 18, 2008 revision of the Comment concerning the United States Postal Service’s return receipt electronic option published with the Court’s Order at 38 Pa.B. 5428 (October 4, 2008).