Michigan process server—service of process in all 83 counties

In Michigan, personal service means delivering the summons and a copy of the complaint directly to the defendant—no substitute recipient and no mailing required. It works for residents and nonresidents alike and gives the cleanest proof of notice. A legally competent adult who is not a party makes the delivery, then signs and files a proof of service.

MCR 2.105(A): Process may be served on a resident or nonresident individual by (1) delivering a summons and a copy of the complaint to the defendant personally. — MCR 2.105(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.

Michigan does not allow leave-and-mail substituted service on an ordinary defendant as a matter of right. When personal or mail service cannot reasonably be made, the plaintiff must move the court under MCR 2.105(J) for an order authorizing another method reasonably calculated to give actual notice—supported by a verified showing of the defendant's last known address or diligent inquiry to find it.

MCR 2.105(J): On a showing that service of process cannot reasonably be made as provided by this rule, the court may by order permit service of process to be made in any other manner reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. — MCR 2.105(J)

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.

Michigan permits service on an individual by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with delivery restricted to the addressee—an original method, not a fallback. Service is accomplished only when the defendant acknowledges receipt, and the return receipt bearing the defendant's own signature must be attached to the proof of service. A refused or unsigned receipt does not complete service.

MCR 2.105(A)(2): sending a summons and a copy of the complaint by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and delivery restricted to the addressee. Service is made when the defendant acknowledges receipt of the mail. A copy of the return receipt signed by the defendant must be attached to proof showing service under subrule (A)(2). — MCR 2.105(A)(2)

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

A corporation is served by delivering the summons and complaint to an officer or the resident agent, or to a director or person in charge of an office combined with registered mail to the principal office. An LLC is served the same way—through its managing member, nonmember manager, or resident agent—or, if no agent is maintained, on the state administrator.

MCR 2.105(D): (1) serving a summons and a copy of the complaint on an officer or the resident agent; (2) serving a summons and a copy of the complaint on a director, trustee, or person in charge of an office or business establishment of the corporation and sending a summons and a copy of the complaint by registered mail, addressed to the principal office of the corporation. MCR 2.105(H): (1) serving a summons and a copy of the complaint on the managing member, the non-member manager, or the resident agent. — MCR 2.105(D); MCR 2.105(H)

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.

Public and governmental bodies are served through named officials—for a county, the board chairperson or the county clerk; a city, the mayor, city clerk, or city attorney; a township, the supervisor or township clerk; a school district, the president, secretary, or treasurer. Service on any officer with substantially the same duties, regardless of title, also satisfies the rule.

MCR 2.105(G): serving on 'a public, municipal, quasi-municipal, or governmental corporation, unincorporated board, or public body' by serving—county: 'the chairperson of the board of commissioners or the county clerk'; city: 'the mayor, the city clerk, or the city attorney'; township: 'the supervisor or the township clerk'; school district: 'the president, the secretary, or the treasurer'; and 'an officer having substantially the same duties as those named or described above, irrespective of title.' — MCR 2.105(G)

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