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Can I serve divorce summons by certified mail? (NY-specific)

Although I am not an expert in NY laws, I contacted a divorce attorney who informed me that a summons has to be served via “personal service.” Personal service means delivered to him personally - Return receipt mail is not acceptable in NY as personal service. If you want to try to serve him by substituted service (such as mail) because you can’t find him, for example, you would likely have to make a motion (legal papers) asking the judge for that. Here is some more info on divorce in NY: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?statelaw_name=Divorce&state…
and one for lawyers: http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=Finding%20a%20…

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