North Dakota process server—service of process in all 53 counties

North Dakota's most direct method is handing the summons to the defendant in person. Under Rule 4(d)(2)(A), an individual 14 or older is served by delivering a copy of the summons to that individual personally. No mailing, court order, or prior attempt is needed—the server simply completes delivery and files an affidavit stating the date, time, place, and manner of service.

upon an individual 14 or more years of age by (i) delivering a copy of the summons to the individual personally — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A)(i)

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.

North Dakota allows leaving a copy of the summons at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode, in the presence of a person of suitable age and discretion then residing there. Unlike states that require a court order or a showing of prior diligence, this abode service stands on its own as an authorized method under Rule 4(d)(2)(A)(ii).

leaving a copy of the summons at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode in the presence of a person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A)(ii)

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.

North Dakota permits service by any form of mail or third-party commercial delivery addressed to the individual, requiring a signed receipt and actual delivery to that person. It works without any prior personal-service attempt. Service occurs when the item is delivered or refused—refusal counts as delivery, but mail that goes unclaimed does not complete service.

any form of mail or third-party commercial delivery addressed to the individual to be served and requiring a signed receipt and resulting in delivery to that individual — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A)(v)

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

When a defendant cannot be personally served in-state, North Dakota allows publication only after the plaintiff files the complaint plus an affidavit showing that, after diligent inquiry, personal service cannot be made in this state. The summons is then published once each week for three successive weeks, and a copy of the summons and complaint is also mailed to the defendant's last reasonably ascertainable address.

Before service of the summons by publication is authorized in any case, there must be filed with the clerk of the court in which the action is commenced a complaint ... and an affidavit ... stating ... (A) That after diligent inquiry personal service of the summons cannot be made upon the defendant in this state — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(e) (procedure at 4(e)(2))

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.

North Dakota serves a corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association by delivering the summons to an officer, director, managing or general agent, partner, associate, or an agent authorized by appointment or law. Mail or commercial delivery to one of them, with a signed receipt, also works; failing that, it may be left at any in-state office with the person in charge.

upon a domestic or foreign corporation or upon a partnership or other unincorporated association, by (i) delivering a copy of the summons to an officer, director, superintendent or managing or general agent, or partner, or associate, or to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process in its behalf ... — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(D)

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.

To sue the State of North Dakota, deliver the summons to the governor, the attorney general, or an assistant attorney general. For a state agency, serve the agency's managing head or the attorney general. Local bodies like cities, counties, townships, and school districts are served under Rule 4(d)(2)(E), through any member of their governing board.

upon the state, by delivering a copy of the summons to the governor or attorney general or an assistant attorney general and, upon an agency of the state, such as the Bank of North Dakota or the State Mill and Elevator Association, by delivering a copy of the summons to the managing head of the agency or to the attorney general or an assistant attorney general — N.D. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(F)

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