How do I legally serve divorce papers?
PersonallyHave your divorce papers served in person by someone directly to your spouse. The individual must be over 18 years of age and cannot be your child. Your spouse must sign and date an Acceptance of Service paper as proof that it was received. A professional server or a sheriff can also be hired to deliver them.MailMail your petition for divorce by first-class mail with an acknowledgement. An acknowledgement is a form that is mailed along with the papers that your spouse must sign, date and return to you. It may also be sent by certified mail with a return receipt requested. The return receipt is signed and mailed back to you as proof of delivery.PublicationPublish the divorce petition in the newspaper when no other methods of delivery are possible. It should be in a newspaper in the area where your spouse is living and should be run for a period of time as specified by the court.
