Service of summons
§ 525. Service of summons. (a) Personal service of summons and petition shall be made by delivery of a true copy thereof to the person to be summoned at least eight days before the time stated therein for appearance; or by delivery of a true copy thereof to a person of suitable age and discretion at the actual place of business, dwelling place or usual place of abode of the person to be served and by mailing a true copy thereof to the person to be served at his last known residence at least eight days before the time stated in the summons for appearance; proof of service shall identify such person of suitable age and discretion and state the date, time and place of service. If so requested by one acting on behalf of the respondent or by a parent or other person legally responsible for his care, the court shall not proceed with the hearing or proceeding earlier than eight days after such service.
(b) If after reasonable effort, personal service is not made, the court may at any stage in the proceedings make an order providing for substituted service in the manner provided for substituted service in the civil practice law and rules.
(c) In any case, whether or not service is attempted under subdivision (a) or (b) of this section, service of a summons and petition under this section may be effected by mail alone to the last known address of the person to be served. Service by mail alone shall be made at least eight days before the time stated in the summons for appearance. If service is by mail alone, the court will enter an order of filiation by default if there is proof satisfactory to the court that the respondent had actual notice of the commencement of the proceeding, which may be established upon sufficient proof that the summons and petition were in fact mailed by certified mail and signed for at the respondent's correct street address or signed for at the post office. If service by certified mail at the respondent's correct street address cannot be accomplished, service pursuant to subdivision one, two, three or four of section three hundred eight of the civil practice law and rules shall be deemed good and sufficient service. Upon failure of the respondent to obey a summons served in accordance with the provisions of this section by means other than mail alone, the court will enter an order of filiation by default. The respondent shall have the right to make a motion for relief from such default order within one year from the date such order was entered.
(a) Personal service at least 8 days before the appearance date ★ — or deliver to a person of suitable age at the respondent's home/business and mail a copy, also 8 days ahead. On request, the court won't proceed earlier than 8 days after service.
(b) If personal service fails after reasonable effort, the court may order substituted service (per CPLR).
(c) Service by mail alone is allowed (also 8 days ahead). A default order of filiation enters if there's proof of actual notice (e.g., certified mail signed for at the correct address). The respondent may move for relief from a default order within one year. ★
Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.
This provision appears in Volume 5 — The JG-22 Family Court Act and in Volume 1 — The JG-22 in Plain English.