What service method involves serving at a defendant’s dwelling or business when personal service cannot be accomplished?

• A. Personal Service
• B. Affidavit of Service
• C. Substituted service
• D. Third-party complaint

Answer: (C)

Substituted service is the method used when you can’t personally hand papers to the defendant. Under NY law, you may serve by leaving a copy at the defendant’s dwelling or at the defendant’s place of business with a person of suitable age who resides there or is in charge, and then mailing a copy to the defendant’s last known address. This provides notice in situations where direct personal service isn’t possible, such as when the defendant is away or avoiding service.

Personal service is the direct hand-to-hand delivery of documents to the defendant. An affidavit of service is the sworn written statement confirming that service occurred, not a method of serving. A third-party complaint is the plaintiff’s complaint filed with the court, not a service method.