Oregon Service of Process Rules

**By Whom Served.** Summons may be served by any competent person 18 years of age or older who is a resident of the state where service is made or of this state and is not a party to the action nor an officer, director, or employee of, nor attorney for, any party, corporate or otherwise.

**Personal Service, Individuals.** … By delivery of a true copy of the summons and a true copy of the complaint to the person to be served.

**Substituted.** … by delivering a true copy of the summons and the complaint at the dwelling house or usual place of abode of the person to be served, to any person 14 years of age or older residing in the dwelling house… [followed by mailing a true copy by first class mail to the defendant at the abode where substituted service made, together with a statement of the date, time, and place at which service made], substituted service shall be complete upon such mailing.

**Office Service.** If the person to be served maintains an office for the conduct of business, office service may be made by leaving a true copy of the summons and the complaint at such office during normal working hours with the person who is apparently in charge [followed by mailing a true copy by first class mail to the defendant at defendant’s dwelling house or place of business or such other place under the circumstances that will give defendant notice of action, together with a statement of the date, time, and place at which office service was made]…, office service shall be complete upon such mailing.

**Corporations.** Primary service method. By personal service or office service upon a registered agent, officer, director, general partner, or managing agent of the corporation or limited partnership, or by personal service upon any clerk on duty in the office of a registered agent. If a registered agent, officer, director, general partner, or managing agent cannot be found in the county where the action is filed, the summons may be served: by substituted service upon such registered agent, officer, director, general partner, or managing agent; or by personal service on any clerk or agent of the corporation or limited partnership who may be found in the county where the action is filed; or by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the office of the registered agent or to the last registered office of the corporation or limited partnership, if any, as shown by the records on file in the office of the Secretary of State or, if the corporation or limited partnership is not authorized to transact business in this state at the time of the transaction, event, or occurrence upon which the action is based occurred, to the principal office or place of business of the corporation or limited partnership, and in any case to any address the use of which the plaintiff knows or, on the basis of reasonable inquiry, has reason to believe is most likely to result in actual notice.

**Return of Service.** The summons shall be promptly returned to the clerk with whom the complaint is filed with proof of service or mailing, or that the defendant cannot be found. The summons may be returned by first class mail. Proof of service of summons or mailing may be made as follows: Certificate of Service When Summons Not Served by Sheriff or Deputy. If the summons is not served by a sheriff…the certificate of the server indicating: the time, place, and manner of service; that the server is a competent person 18 years of age or older and a resident of the state of service or this state and is not a party to nor an officer, director, or employee of, nor attorney for any party, corporate or otherwise; and that the server knew that the person, firm or corporation served is the identical one named in the action. If the defendant is not personally served, the server shall state in the certificate when, where, and with whom a copy of the summons and complaint was left or describe in detail the manner and circumstances of service.