OREGON RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE:

In the state of Oregon, no process server license is required. Any person over the age of eighteen and not a party may serve process. State law requires that any person who serves a Writ of Garnishment must have E&O coverage with minimum limits of $100,000

 

An Oregon summons must contain specific notices to the parties being served. Substituted service in Oregon at the home residence can be made upon any person fourteen years or older. In addition, Oregon has various laws related to service of process aboard vessels and steamships.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Notice required

Service methods

(a) Personal service

(b) Substituted service

(c) Office service

(d) Service by mail

(d)(i) Generally

(d)(ii) Calculation of time

Particular defendants

(a) Individuals

(a)(i) Generally

(a)(ii) Minors

(a)(iii) Incapacitated persons

(a)(iv) Tenant of a mail agent

(b) Corporations and limited partnerships

(b)(i) Primary service method

(b)(ii) Alternatives

(c) State

(d) Public bodies

(e) General partnerships

(f) Other unincorporated association subject to suit under a common name

(g) Vessel owners and charterers

Particular actions involving motor vehicles

(a) Actions arising out of use of roads, highways, streets, or premises open to the public; service by mail

(b) Notification of change of address

Service in foreign country

Court order for service; service by publication

(a) Court order for service by other method

(b) Contents of published summons

(c) Where published

(d) Mailing summons and complaint

(e) Unknown heirs or persons

(f) Defending before or after judgment

(g) Defendant who cannot be served

By whom served; compensation

Return; proof of service

Return of summons

Proof of service

(a) Service other than publication

(a)(i) Certificate of service when summons not served by sheriff or deputy

(a)(ii) Certificate of service by sheriff or deputy

(b) Publication

(c) Making and certifying affidavit

(d) Form of certificate, affidavit or declaration

Written admission

Failure to make proof; validity of service

Disregard of error; actual notice

Telegraphic transmission

 

PROCESS 

Process

Where county is a party

Service or execution

Telegraphic transmission of writ, order, or paper, for service; procedure

Proof of service or execution

 

SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS

 

Service; when required

Service; how made

Filing; proof of service

When filing not required

Filing with the court defined

Service by telephonic facsimile communication device

 

TIME

 

Computation

Unaffected by expiration of term

Additional time after service by mail

 

Notice required.

 

Summons shall be served, either within or without this state, in any manner reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise the defendant of the existence and pendency of the action and to afford a reasonable opportunity to appear and defend. Summons may be served in a manner specified in this rule or by any other rule or statute on the defendant or upon an agent authorized by appointment or law to accept service of summons for the defendant. Service may be made, subject to the restrictions and requirements of this rule, by the following methods: personal service of summons upon defendant or an agent of defendant authorized to receive process; substituted service by leaving a copy of summons and complaint at a persons dwelling house or usual place of abode; office service by leaving with a person who is apparently in charge of an office; service by mail; or, service by publication.

 

Service methods.

 

Personal service.

 

Personal service may be made by delivery of a true copy of the summons and a true copy of the complaint to the person to be served.

 

Substituted service.

 

Substituted service may be made 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 or usual place of abode of the person to be served. Where substituted service is used, the plaintiff, as soon as reasonably possible, shall cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a true copy of the summons and the complaint to the defendant at defendants dwelling house or usual place of abode, together with a statement of the date, time, and place at which substituted service was made. For the purpose of computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules or by statute, 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. Where office service is used, the plaintiff, as soon as reasonably possible, shall cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a true copy of the summons and the complaint to the defendant at the defendants dwelling house or usual place of abode or defendants place of business or such other place under the circumstances that is most reasonably calculated to apprise the defendant of the existence and pendency of the action, together with a statement of the date, time, and place at which office service was made. For the purpose of computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules or by statute, office service shall be complete upon such mailing.

 

Service by mail.

 

Generally.

 

When required or allowed by this rule or by statute, except as otherwise permitted, service by mail shall be made by mailing a true copy of the summons and the complaint to the defendant by first class mail and by any of the following: certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or express mail. For purposes of this section, first class mail does not include certified or registered, or any other form of mail which may delay or hinder actual delivery of mail to the addressee.

 

Calculation of time.

For the purpose of computing any period of time provided by these rules or by statute, service by mail, except as otherwise provided, shall be complete on the day the defendant, or other person authorized by appointment or law, signs a receipt for the mailing, or three days after the mailing if mailed to an address within the state, or seven days after the mailing if mailed to an address outside the state, whichever first occurs.

 

Particular defendants.

 

Service may be made upon specified defendants as follows:

Individuals.

 

Generally.

 

Upon an individual defendant, by personal delivery of a true copy of the summons and the complaint to such defendant or other person authorized by appointment or law to receive service of summons on behalf of such defendant, by substituted service or by office service. Service may also be made upon an individual defendant to whom neither subparagraph (ii) nor (iii) of this paragraph applies by mailing made in accordance with paragraph (2)(d) of this section provided the defendant signs a receipt for the certified, registered or express mailing, in which case service shall be complete on the date on which the defendant signs a receipt for the mailing.

Minors.

 

Upon a minor under the age of 14 years, by service in the manner specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph upon such minor, and also upon such minors father, mother, conservator of the minors estate, or guardian, or, if there be none, then upon any person having the care or control of the minor or with whom such minor resides, or in whose service such minor is employed, or upon a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Rule 27 A(2).

 

Incapacitated persons.

 

Upon a person who is incapacitated or financially incapable, as defined by ORS 125.005, by service in the manner specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph upon such person, and also upon the conservator of such persons estate or guardian, or, if there be none, upon a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Rule 27 B(2).

Tenant of a mail agent.

 

Upon an individual defendant who is a tenant of a mail agent within the meaning of ORS 646.221 by delivering a true copy of the summons and the complaint to any person apparently in charge of the place where the mail agent receives mail for the tenant, provided that:

(A) the plaintiff makes a diligent inquiry but cannot find the defendant; and

(B) the plaintiff, as soon as reasonably possible after delivery, causes a true copy of the summons and the complaint to be mailed by first class mail to the defendant at the address at which the mail agent receives mail for the defendant and to any other mailing address of the defendant then known to the plaintiff, together with a statement of the date, time, and place at which the plaintiff delivered the copy of the summons and the complaint.

Service shall be complete on the latest date resulting from the application of subparagraph D(2)(d)(ii) of this rule to all mailings required by this subparagraph unless the defendant signs a receipt for the mailing, in which case service is complete on the day the defendant signs the receipt.

 

Corporations and limited partnerships.

 

Upon a domestic or foreign corporation or limited partnership:

 

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.

Alternatives.

 

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.

 

State.

 

Upon the state, by personal service upon the Attorney General or by leaving a copy of the summons and complaint at the Attorney Generals office with a deputy, assistant, or clerk.

 

Public bodies.

 

Upon any county, incorporated city, school district, or other public corporation, commission, board or agency, by personal service or office service upon an officer, director, managing agent, or attorney thereof.

 

General partnerships.

 

Upon any general partnerships by personal service upon a partner or any agent authorized by appointment or law to receive service of summons for the partnership.

Other unincorporated association subject to suit under a common name.

 

Upon any other unincorporated association subject to suit under a common name by personal service upon an officer, managing agent, or agent authorized by appointment or law to receive service of summons for the unincorporated association.

 

Vessel owners and charterers.

 

Upon any foreign steamship owner or steamship charterer by personal service upon a vessel master in such owners or charterers employment or any agent authorized by such owner or charterer to provide services to a vessel calling at a port in the State of Oregon, or a port in the State of Washington on that portion of the Columbia River forming a common boundary with Oregon.

 

Particular actions involving motor vehicles.

 

Actions arising out of use of roads, highways, streets, or premises open to the public; service by mail.

 

In any action arising out of any accident, collision, or other event giving rise to liability in which a motor vehicle may be involved while being operated upon the roads, highways, streets, or premises open to the public as defined by law, of this state, if the plaintiff makes at least one attempt to serve a defendant who operated such motor vehicle, or caused it to be operated on the defendants behalf, by a method authorized by subsection (3) of this section except service by mail pursuant to subparagraph (3)(a)(i) of this section and, as shown by its return, did not effect service, the plaintiff may then serve that defendant by mailings made in accordance with paragraph (2)(d) of this section addressed to that defendant at:

(A) any residence address provided by that defendant at the scene of the accident;

(B) the current residence address, if any, of that defendant shown in the driver records of the Department of Transportation; and

(C) any other address of that defendant known to the plaintiff at the time of making the mailings required by (A) and (B) that reasonably might result in actual notice to that defendant.

Sufficient service pursuant to this subparagraph may be shown if the proof of service includes a true copy of the envelope in which each of the certified, registered or express mailings required by (A), (B) and (C) above was made showing that it was returned to sender as undeliverable or that the defendant did not sign the receipt. For the purpose of computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules or by statute, service under this subparagraph shall be complete on the latest date on which any of the mailings required by (A), (B) and (C) above is made. If the mailing required by (C) is omitted because the plaintiff did not know of any address other than those specified in (A) and (B) above, the proof of service shall so certify.

Any fee charged by the Department of Transportation for providing address information concerning a party served pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may be recovered as provided in Rule 68.

The requirements for obtaining an order of default against a defendant served pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are as provided in Rule 69.

Notification of change of address.

 

Any person who, while operating a motor vehicle upon the roads, highways, streets, or premises open to the public as defined by law, of this state, is involved in any accident, collision, or other event giving rise to liability, shall forthwith notify the Department of Transportation of any change of such defendants address occurring within three years after such accident, collision or event.

 

Service in foreign country.

 

When service is to be effected upon a party in a foreign country, it is also sufficient if service of summons is made in the manner prescribed by the law of the foreign country for service in that country in its courts of general jurisdiction, or as directed by the foreign authority in response to letters rogatory, or as directed by order of the court. However, in all cases such service shall be reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

Court order for service; service by publication.

 

Court order for service by other method.

 

On motion upon a showing by affidavit or declaration that service cannot be made by any method otherwise specified in these rules or other rule or statute, the court, at its discretion, may order service by any method or combination of methods which under the circumstances is most reasonably calculated to apprise the defendant of the existence and pendency of the action, including but not limited to: publication of summons; mailing without publication to a specified post office address of the defendant by first class mail and by any of the following: certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or express mail; or posting at specified locations. If service is ordered by any manner other than publication, the court may order a time for response.

Contents of published summons.

 

In addition to the contents of a summons as described in section C of this rule, a published summons shall also contain a summary statement of the object of the complaint and the demand for relief, and the notice required in subsection C(3) shall state: The motion or answer (or reply) must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days of the date of first publication specified herein along with the required filing fee. The published summons shall also contain the date of the first publication of the summons.

Where published.

 

An order for publication shall direct publication to be made in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the action is commenced or, if there is no such newspaper, then in a newspaper to be designated as most likely to give notice to the person to be served. Such publication shall be four times in successive calendar weeks. If the plaintiff knows of a specific location other than the county where the action is commenced where publication might reasonably result in actual notice to the defendant, the plaintiff shall so state in the affidavit or declaration required by paragraph (a) of this subsection, and the court may order publication in a comparable manner at such location in addition to, or in lieu of, publication in the county where the action is commenced.

 

Mailing summons and complaint.

 

If the court orders service by publication and the plaintiff knows or with reasonable diligence can ascertain the defendants current address, the plaintiff shall mail a copy of the summons and the complaint to the defendant at such address by first class mail and by any of the following: certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or express mail. If the plaintiff does not know and cannot upon diligent inquiry ascertain the current address of any defendant, a copy of the summons and the complaint shall be mailed by the methods specified above to the defendant at the defendants last known address. If the plaintiff does not know, and cannot ascertain upon diligent inquiry, the defendants current and last known addresses, mailing of a copy of the summons and the complaint is not required.

 

Unknown heirs or persons.

 

If service cannot be made by another method described in this section because defendants are unknown heirs or persons as described in sections I and J of Rule 20, the action shall proceed against the unknown heirs or persons in the same manner as against named defendants served by publication and with like effect; and any such unknown heirs or persons who have or claim any right, estate, lien, or interest in the property in controversy, at the time of the commencement of the action, and served by publication, shall be bound and concluded by the judgment in the action, if the same is in favor of the plaintiff, as effectively as if the action was brought against such defendants by name.

 

Defending before or after judgment.

 

A defendant against whom publication is ordered or such defendants representatives, on application and sufficient cause shown, at any time before judgment, shall be allowed to defend the action. A defendant against whom publication is ordered or such defendants representatives may, upon good cause shown and upon such terms as may be proper, be allowed to defend after judgment and within one year after entry of judgment. If the defense is successful, and the judgment or any part thereof has been collected or otherwise enforced, restitution may be ordered by the court, but the title to property sold upon execution issued on such judgment, to a purchaser in good faith, shall not be affected thereby.

 

Defendant who cannot be served.

 

Within the meaning of this subsection, a defendant cannot be served with summons by any method authorized by subsection D(3) of this section if: (i) service pursuant to subparagraph (4)(a)(i) of this section is not authorized, and the plaintiff attempted service of summons by all of the methods authorized by subsection D(3) of this section and was unable to complete service, or (ii) if the plaintiff knew that service by such methods could not be accomplished.

By whom served; compensation.

 

A 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, except as provided in ORS 180.260, an officer, director, or employee of, nor attorney for, any party, corporate or otherwise. However, service pursuant to subparagraph D(2)(d)(i) of this rule may be made by an attorney for any party. Compensation to a sheriff or a sheriffs deputy in this state who serves a summons shall be prescribed by statute or rule. If any other person serves the summons, a reasonable fee may be paid for service. This compensation shall be part of disbursements and shall be recovered as provided in Rule 68.

Return; proof of service.

 

Return of summons.

 

The summons shall be promptly returned to the clerk with whom the complaint is filed with proof of service or mailing, or that defendant cannot be found. The summons may be returned by first class mail.

 

Proof of service.

 

Proof of service of summons or mailing may be made as follows:

Service other than publication.

 

Service other than publication shall be proved by:

Certificate of service when summons not served by sheriff or deputy.

 

If the summons is not served by a sheriff or a sheriffs deputy, 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. If the summons and complaint were mailed, the certificate may be made by the person completing the mailing or the attorney for any party and shall state the circumstances of mailing and the return receipt shall be attached.

Certificate of service by sheriff or deputy.

 

If the summons is served by a sheriff or a sheriffs deputy, the sheriffs or deputys certificate of service indicating the time, place, and manner of service, and if defendant is not personally served, when, where, and with whom the copy of the summons and complaint was left or describing in detail the manner and circumstances of service. If the summons and complaint were mailed, the certificate shall state the circumstances of mailing and the return receipt shall be attached.