Okla. Admin. Code § 340:25-5-190

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 340:25-5-190 - Service of process

(a)Authority. Oklahoma Human Services Child Support Services (CSS) follows the provisions of Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes (12 O.S. § 2004) for service of process. CSS uses the most cost effective and efficient method of service of process depending on what is most appropriate under the facts of the case.

(b)Service by regular mail to address of record (AOR). Service to the AOR by regular mail may be appropriate when an AOR is on file with the Central Case Registry for a party in the case per Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:25-5-340. When the party has provided to CSS an email address, CSS sends the pleadings and acknowledgement and waiver of service documents to that email address at the same time as mailing to the AOR by regular mail. Service to the AOR is not appropriate when the:

(1) remedy sought may result in the obligor's incarceration including, but not limited to, indirect civil contempt actions; or

(2) court may require a higher level of notice to the affected party including, but not limited to, actions to determine paternity.

(c)Service by acknowledgment. CSS delivers the documents directly to a party and requests the party accepts and acknowledges service, as appropriate. The Acknowledgment of Service is filed in the court case.

(d)Service by certified mail. Service by mail is made by certified mail, return receipt requested, and delivery restricted to the addressee. CSS uses service by certified mail when service to the AOR or by Acknowledgment of Service is not appropriate or successful. CSS staff is not required to attempt service by certified mail before attempting personal service when the case history indicates a low probability of acceptance or the court requires personal service.

(e)Service by personal delivery. Service by personal delivery is completed by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, individual licensed to make service of process in civil cases, or an individual specially appointed for that purpose per 12 O.S. § 2004. CSS uses service by personal delivery when:

(1) an individual has not accepted service by certified mail;

(2) service to the AOR or by acknowledgment is not available or appropriate;

(3) case history indicates a low probability of acceptance of service by certified mail; or

(4) the court requires service by personal delivery.

(f)Service by electronic means.

(1) After service of the initial pleadings, CSS serves subsequent documents to the party electronically when the party or party's attorney :

(A) consents in writing to receive service in a particular case by electronic means and

(B) designates an email address for sending the electronic service.

(2) The required written consent and electronic service instructions may be made in:

(A) the entry of appearance filed by the party or party's attorney per 12 O.S. § 2005.2; or

(B) another document filed by the party or party's attorney in the court case.

(3) CSS may consent to electronic service per 12 O.S. § 2005.2 at the discretion of the state's attorney.

(g)Diligent efforts. When CSS contracts with vendors for service of process, the vendor must make diligent efforts to complete service and provide timely documentation to CSS. Diligent efforts means at least three-repeated attempts to serve the individual at different times of day or on different days of the week, before declaring inability to serve. CSS:

(1) attempts to serve process in the manner, at the time, and place most reasonably calculated to complete service of process in the most efficient and cost effective manner;

(2) makes diligent efforts to serve process utilizing all information:

(A) CSS staff provides;

(B) documented in the case record; or

(C) gathered from other locate resources;

(3) provides address and employer information to the process server;

(4) attempts to serve the person at:

(A) work;

(B) home; or

(C) other locations based on information gathered on his or her lifestyle; and

(5) documents all facts about attempts to serve process in the case record.

(h)Minor parent. CSS serves a minor parent who is:

(1) 15 years of age and older per 12 O.S. § 2004; or

(2) younger than 15 years of age, through a parent, guardian, or other appropriate adult as the next friend of the minor parent.

(i)Subsequent Electronic Service. A party or party's attorney completes a Notice of Consent to Electronic Service or recognized substitute must be completed by a party or party's attorney and filed with the court in accordance with12 O.S. § 2005(B) and applies to an individual court action. Pleadings asserting new or additional claims require a new consent of electronic service.

Okla. Admin. Code § 340:25-5-190

Added at 9 Ok Reg 3275, eff 6-26-92 (emergency); Added at 10 Ok Reg 1813, eff 5-13-93; Revoked at 17 Ok Reg 2426, eff 7-1-00

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/15/2022

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 22, August 1, 2023, eff. 9/15/2023