Each business must declare a person or company to be served process on its behalf, called a Registered Agent. This agent could be an individual who works at the business being served, a lawyer, a law firm, or an outside company meant for receiving service of process.
Whenever you arrive at the business you are serving, or a branch office of the business, ask for the Registered Agent, determine their name and position in the company, and serve them.
If you see an individual's name on the coversheet, then this is likely the Registered Agent. In some cases you might see both an individuals name and the name of the business listed.
Other individuals who can be served on the business' behalf other than a Registered Agent:
- A Corporate Officer (ie: CEO, COO, etc)
- Any owner of the of company
- Any individual authorized to accept by specific local rules
If an employee isn't sure if they're authorized to accept service, don't serve them. Try to see if someone authorized is available. If you are unable to find someone authorized, leave with the documents, it is better to make an additional attempt than a bad service.
Wage Garnishments
Wage Garnishments are always delivered to a business or agency, called a Garnishee, who has been instructed by the court to deliver a portion of an individuals wages to another party.
The business being served is responsible for accepting the documents even if the individual in question does not work there, as there are instructions within the documents for how they can notify the court. Wage Garnishments can be delivered to the branch the individual works at or the headquarters of the company.
Serving Wage Garnishments at a different address than the one provided may be possible when provided a more specific office of the same company.
Bank Levies
Bank Levies can only be served at a branch or headquarters of the stated bank.
The bank branch is responsible for accepting service; the teller, bank manager, or employees are responsible for accepting documents without needing to look up the individual being levied.
All bank branches can accept these documents.