Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure

Alaska's rules for serving a summons and complaint are in the Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, mainly Civil Rule 4. Subpoenas are covered by Civil Rule 45.

Alaska is one of the few states that licenses process servers statewide. Civilian process servers are licensed by the Department of Public Safety under AS 22.20 and the regulations in 13 AAC 67.

Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure from the Alaska Court System or ask an attorney before relying on it.

Alaska process servers

• Become a process server in Alaska
• Hire a process server in Alaska

Quick facts: process serving in Alaska

• Who can serve: A peace officer, a person specially appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or, where a rule allows, registered or certified mail (Civil Rule 4(c)).
• Licensing: Private process servers must hold a civilian process server license from the Department of Public Safety (13 AAC 67).
• Deadline to serve: The clerk reviews service 120 days after filing. If service isn't done, you get a notice and 30 days to show good cause, or the unserved defendant is dismissed (Civil Rule 4(j)).
• Substituted service: Papers can be left at the person's home with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there (Civil Rule 4(d)(1)).
• Proof of service: A server who isn't a peace officer signs an affidavit of service (Civil Rule 4(f)).
• Time to respond: 20 days after service in most cases, and 40 days for the State (Civil Rule 12(a)).

Alaska process server licensing

Under Civil Rule 4(c), private persons can serve process only if appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. In practice, that means holding a civilian process server license from the Department of Public Safety's Permits and Licensing office. The license requirements are in 13 AAC 67:

• Age and residency: At least 21 years old, and an Alaska resident for at least 30 days before applying (13 AAC 67.020).
• Background: No felony, and no misdemeanor involving assault, abuse, dishonesty or fraud, in the 10 years before applying, unless pardoned (13 AAC 67.020).
• Business license: A valid Alaska business license, plus a municipal license if one is required.
• Application: A notarized application, two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258), fingerprint fees and a $25 application fee (13 AAC 67.030).
• Bond: A surety bond of at least $15,000 for an individual. Firms with more servers need larger bonds (13 AAC 67.920).
• Exam: A written exam on service of process and professional conduct. You need 80% to pass (13 AAC 67.140).

A license lasts two years. Renewals must reach the department at least 30 days before the license expires, with a $25 fee (13 AAC 67.070, 67.080). DPS publishes a list of currently licensed process servers on its Permits and Licensing page.

Seizing property or serving a writ of execution needs a special appointment after a thorough investigation, and the server must get a peace officer's help if they meet physical resistance (Civil Rule 4(c)(3)).

For a step-by-step guide, see Become a Process Server in Alaska.

Process-serving software: ServeManager

ServeManager is process-serving software used by agencies across Alaska. It tracks every attempt with date, time, GPS and photos, and generates affidavits of service from the job.

Register for ServeManager

How to serve a summons in Alaska

The summons is served with a copy of the complaint.

Personal service: Civil Rule 4(d)(1)

The server hands the summons and complaint to the person being served, or to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to accept service for them.

Service at the home: Civil Rule 4(d)(1)

The server can leave the papers at the person's dwelling house or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there.

Certified or registered mail: Civil Rule 4(h)

Individuals (other than minors and incompetent persons), corporations, partnerships, associations and public corporations can be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery. Service is complete when the return receipt is signed.

Service outside Alaska: Civil Rule 4(d)(12)

A person outside Alaska can be served the same ways as inside the state. Personal service there must be made by a sheriff, peace officer or other officer with like authority where service is made, or by a person the court appoints. Service in a foreign country is covered by Civil Rule 4(d)(13) and the Hague Service Convention where it applies.

Website notice and other court-ordered service: Civil Rule 4(e)

If the person can't be served after diligent inquiry, the court can order other service. The affidavit must describe the inquiry in full, including a reasonable internet search, and say whether another method is more likely to give actual notice.

• Legal notice website: The usual method is posting the notice on the Alaska Court System's legal notice website for four weeks in a row. Before the last week, the party must also mail the notice and complaint by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by first-class mail (Civil Rule 4(e)(2)).
• Other methods: The court can order other methods, such as newspaper publication, email, a social media post, or posting at the person's home (Civil Rule 4(e)(3)). The mailing is still required.

The clerk certifies proof of website posting. Other methods are proved by affidavit. See What is service by publication?

Serving businesses and other entities

• Corporations and LLCs (Civil Rule 4(d)(4)): Serve an officer, a managing member, a managing or general agent, or an agent authorized by appointment or by law. Registered agents are listed with the Alaska Division of Corporations.
• Partnerships (Civil Rule 4(d)(5)): Serve a general partner, a managing or general agent, or an authorized agent.
• The State of Alaska (Civil Rule 4(d)(7)): Send the papers by registered or certified mail to the Attorney General in Juneau, and to the Attorney General's office in Anchorage or Fairbanks depending on the judicial district. For a state officer or agency, also deliver a copy to the officer or agency (Civil Rule 4(d)(8)).
• Boroughs, cities, school districts and other public corporations (Civil Rule 4(d)(9)): Serve the chief executive officer, chief clerk or secretary.

Serving a subpoena in Alaska

A subpoena doesn't need a special appointment (Civil Rule 4(c)(2)). Under Civil Rule 45(c), it can be served by a peace officer or any non-party who is 18 or older. The server delivers a copy to the person and tenders the fee for one day's attendance and mileage. Fees don't have to be tendered when the subpoena is issued for the state or a local government. A trial or hearing subpoena can be served anywhere in Alaska. Proof of service is made by affidavit.

Proof of service

The server must give proof of service promptly, and in any case within the time the person served has to respond (Civil Rule 4(f)). A server who isn't a peace officer signs an affidavit. It must state the manner, place and date of service, and list every paper served.

Within 120 days of filing, the plaintiff must also file an affidavit listing which parties have been served and which haven't. Failing to file proof doesn't make the service itself invalid.

Hire an Alaska process server

Find a licensed server in Anchorage, or browse agencies across the state in the Alaska process server directory.

More Alaska resources

• Become a Process Server in Alaska
• Courts in Alaska
• Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska Court System)
• Civilian process server licensing (Alaska Department of Public Safety)
• Business entity search (Alaska Division of Corporations)

This page is a general overview of Alaska law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current rules or talk to an attorney about your case.