§ Rule 404 Service Outside the Commonwealth

Codes > Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure > Service of > Part I : Subpart A > Rule 404

Rule 404. Service Outside the Commonwealth

    Original process shall be served outside the Commonwealth within ninety days of the issuance of the writ or the filing of the complaint or the reissuance or the reinstatement thereof:

    Note: For reissuance and reinstatement of original process, see Rule 401(b).

    (1) by a competent adult in the manner provided by Rule 402(a);

    Note: See Rule 76 for the definition of “competent adult”.

    (2) by mail in the manner provided by Rule 403;

    (3) in the manner provided by the law of the jurisdiction in which the service is made for service in an action in any of its courts of general jurisdiction;

    (4) in the manner provided by treaty; or

    Note: A treaty may provide that to effect service a plaintiff must satisfy requirements which are in addition to the procedures specified by this rule.

    (5) as directed by the foreign authority in response to a letter rogatory or request.

    Note: Sections 5323 and 5329(2) of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5323, 5329(2), provide additional alternative procedures for service outside the Commonwealth.