Maryland process server—service of process in all 23 counties and Baltimore City

Maryland's most direct method is delivering the summons, complaint, and all other papers filed with them directly to the person being served. Rule 2-121(a)(1) permits this delivery anywhere in the state—and, when Maryland law authorizes it, outside the state. A sheriff or any competent non-party 18 or older may hand the documents over.

Rule 2-121(a): "Service of process may be made within this State or, when authorized by the law of this State, outside of this State (1) by delivering to the person to be served a copy of the summons, complaint, and all other papers filed with it." — Md. Rule 2-121(a)(1)

With ABC Legal: a vetted server makes the first attempt on your tier's timeline—as fast as 48 hours—and EvidenceChain™ records the GPS location and timestamp of the exact delivery moment.

When the defendant is an individual, Maryland lets the papers be left at that person's dwelling house or usual place of abode with a resident of suitable age and discretion. Rule 2-121(a)(2) requires no prior attempt at personal delivery—this leave-with-a-resident method stands on its own—but it is available only against individuals, never corporations or other entities.

Rule 2-121(a)(2): "...if the person to be served is an individual, by leaving a copy of the summons, complaint, and all other papers filed with it at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with a resident of suitable age and discretion." — Md. Rule 2-121(a)(2)

With ABC Legal: courts only accept substituted service after documented diligence. Our app geotags and timestamps every attempt automatically, so your diligence record is built before you need it.

Maryland allows service by certified mail marked "Restricted Delivery—show to whom, date, address of delivery." Under Rule 2-121(a)(3), service by certified mail is complete upon delivery, and the signed return records when the defendant actually received the papers. The plaintiff's attorney or any non-party may arrange the mailing—no sheriff is required.

Rule 2-121(a)(3): "...by mailing to the person to be served a copy of the summons, complaint, and all other papers filed with it by certified mail requesting: 'Restricted Delivery--show to whom, date, address of delivery.' Service by certified mail under this Rule is complete upon delivery." — Md. Rule 2-121(a)(3)

With ABC Legal: we recommend personal service first—it starts deadlines immediately and never depends on the recipient cooperating.

When a defendant cannot be located despite good-faith efforts, a Maryland court may order service by posting or publication in an in rem or quasi in rem action. Under Rule 2-122, the court directs mailing to the last known address plus either posting at the courthouse or publishing once a week for three successive weeks in a local newspaper. It is a court-ordered last resort.

Rule 2-122(a): the court may order service by "the mailing of a notice to the defendant's last known address" and "(1) by the posting of the notice by the sheriff at the courthouse door or on a bulletin board within its immediate vicinity, or (2) by publishing the notice at least once a week in each of three successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation published in the county in which the action is pending." — Md. Rule 2-122

With ABC Legal: our skip tracing team locates most "unfindable" defendants before you ever pay for publication—and if it truly comes to that, your ABC attempt history is the diligence evidence the motion needs.

Maryland serves a corporation by delivering to its resident agent, president, secretary, or treasurer; if that fails, a manager, director, or other authorized officer will do. An LLC is served through its resident agent, then any member or authorized person. When no resident agent exists or two good-faith attempts fail, Rule 2-124(o) permits service on the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Rule 2-124(d): "Service is made upon a corporation, incorporated association, or joint stock company by serving its resident agent, president, secretary, or treasurer." Rule 2-124(h): "Service is made upon a limited liability company by serving its resident agent. If the limited liability company has no resident agent or if a good faith attempt to serve the resident agent has failed, service may be made upon any member or other person expressly or impliedly authorized to receive service of process." — Md. Rule 2-124(d), (h), (o)

With ABC Legal: we verify the current registered agent against state records before dispatch, so the serve lands on the right desk the first time.

Serving Maryland's government depends on the body. The State itself is served through the Attorney General or the Attorney General's written designee under Rule 2-124(j). A state officer or agency is served through its resident agent or the Attorney General (2-124(k)). A county, municipality, or other local entity is served through its resident agent, then its chief executive or a governing-body member (2-124(l)).

Rule 2-124(j): "Service is made upon the State of Maryland by serving the Attorney General or an individual designated by the Attorney General in a writing filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court." Rule 2-124(k): service on an officer or agency of the State by serving "(1) the resident agent designated by the officer or agency, or (2) the Attorney General or an individual designated by the Attorney General." Rule 2-124(l): a local entity is served via "the resident agent... or... the chief executive or presiding officer or, if none, ... any member of the governing body." — Md. Rule 2-124(j)–(l)

With ABC Legal: our servers handle city, county, and state entity serves routinely—and know exactly which office actually accepts them.