Rule 402. Manner of Service. Acceptance of Service.
(a) Original process may be served
(1) by handing a copy to the defendant; or
(2) by handing a copy
(i) at the residence of the defendant to an adult member of the family with whom he resides; but if no adult member of the family is found, then to an adult person in charge of such residence; or
(ii) at the residence of the defendant to the clerk or manager of the hotel, inn, apartment house, boarding house or other place of lodging at which he resides; or
(iii) at any office or usual place of business of the defendant to his agent or to the person for the time being in charge thereof.
(b) In lieu of service under this rule, the defendant or his authorized agent may accept service of original process by filing a separate document which shall be substantially in the following form:
(Caption)
Acceptance of Service
I accept service of the
on behalf of
and certify that I am authorized to do so).
(Date) (Defendant, or Authorized Agent)
(Mailing Address)
Official Note
The plaintiff should insert in the first blank the name of the document being accepted, i.e., writ of summons or complaint.
When accepting service in person, the defendant would delete the part of the sentence in parentheses.
Source The provisions of this Rule 402 adopted July 5, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended June 14, 1999, effective September 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3191. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (256952) to (256953). (Editor’s Note: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has suspended its order of June 14, 1999, published at 29 Pa.B. 3191 (June 26, 1999). See 29 Pa.B. 4859 (September 18, 1999).)
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