Is personal service always required in Arizona?

In Arizona, personal service is not always required, as there are situations where substituted service is permissible. Substituted service allows a process server to deliver legal documents in a manner that does not require direct, in-person delivery to the defendant or individual being served. This can be particularly useful when the person to be served is evasive or cannot be located despite diligent efforts.

Substituted service can include leaving the documents with a responsible adult at the individual's residence or even in some cases, serving the documents via mail, depending on the circumstances and the type of legal action being initiated. Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure provides guidelines for when and how substituted service can be utilized, ensuring that the rights of all parties involved are respected.

Understanding that personal service is not an absolute requirement allows for more flexibility in legal proceedings, making it easier to move forward with cases when traditional service methods fail. This is important in ensuring that justice is served even when directly confronting the individual is not possible.