Rules of civil procedure and service of process requirements for District of Columbia.
Last updated October 22, 2026
Service of process in Washington, DC's civil cases is governed by the Superior Court Civil Rules, mainly Rule 4. Service by publication is limited by the DC Code, including D.C. Code § 13-336. DC doesn't license or register process servers.
Rule 4 has changed several times in recent years. A 2021 amendment added court-approved alternative service, including email, and a 2024 amendment added emergency alternative service.
Disclaimer: Laws change, and this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the current rules on the DC Superior Court rules page or ask an attorney before relying on it.
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No. Under Rule 4(c)(2), any person who is at least 18 and isn't a party can serve a summons and complaint. A U.S. marshal or a specially appointed person serves only when the court orders it or in certain cases involving the United States (Rule 4(c)(3)).
For a step-by-step guide, see Become a Process Server in Washington, DC.
The summons must be served with the complaint, the Initial Order, any addendum to it, any order permitting alternative service, and any other order directed to the parties at filing (Rule 4(c)(1), as amended by Promulgation Order 24-02, effective June 10, 2024). The plaintiff provides the copies.
Deliver a copy of the summons, complaint and required orders to the person.
Leave copies at the person's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there.
Deliver copies to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service.
Service can also follow DC law, or the law of the state where service is made. This matters when serving DC papers on someone who lives in another state.
Service can be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Proof needs the signed receipt and an affidavit from the person who mailed it (Rule 4(l)).
Mail the papers with two copies of a Notice and Acknowledgment form and a stamped return envelope. If the defendant doesn't return the acknowledgment within 21 days, the court must order them to pay the costs of serving another way unless they show good cause.
If a party can't serve by the usual methods after diligent efforts, the court can approve another method reasonably calculated to give actual notice. Examples in the rule include leaving the papers with the person's employer, or email if the person has used that address successfully in the past 6 months, combined with first-class mail to their last known address. The party files a motion with an affidavit describing their efforts. This rule was added by Promulgation Order 21-01, effective April 5, 2021.
Under a Chief Judge's emergency order, Rule 4(c)(7) (added in 2024) allows service by any method reasonably calculated to give actual notice, usually without first showing diligent efforts.
Publication is allowed only in certain kinds of cases, such as divorce, partition, foreclosure and actions involving property in DC. It applies to defendants who can't be found and are nonresidents or have been absent for 6 months, who can't be found after diligent efforts or are hiding, or who are unknown heirs (D.C. Code § 13-336). If paying for publication would be a substantial financial hardship, the court can allow posting the order on its website instead (Rule 4(e)(4)).
Registered agents are listed in the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection's business entity search. See the DLCP business registration FAQ for more.
Any person who is at least 18 and not a party can serve a subpoena by delivering a copy to the named person. If the subpoena requires the person to attend, the server must also tender one day's attendance fee and the mileage allowed by law, unless the subpoena is issued for the United States or the District. A subpoena can be served in DC, or outside DC within 25 miles of the place of the deposition, hearing or trial (Rule 45(b)).
Unless the defendant acknowledges service, the server files a sworn affidavit (Rule 4(l)). For personal or abode delivery, it must state:
For certified or registered mail, attach the signed return receipt to an affidavit giving the case caption and number, the name and address of the person who mailed it, and that the envelope held the required papers. If someone other than the defendant signed the receipt, the affidavit must give facts showing they could accept service.
Proof must be filed within 60 days after the complaint is filed. Some cases have different deadlines, including collection and subrogation cases under Rule 40-III and tax-sale foreclosure cases (Rule 4(m)). A defective proof doesn't make service invalid, and the court can allow it to be amended.
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This page is a general overview of District of Columbia law, not legal advice. Laws change. Check the current rules or talk to an attorney about your case.
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