If the defendant cannot be located after due diligence, which method is typically used?

• A. Personal service by hand
• B. Service by mail
• C. Service by publication is typically used when the defendant cannot be located after due diligence.
• D. Posting at last known address

Answer: (C)

When the defendant cannot be located after reasonable, diligent searching, the law uses service by publication to give notice and preserve the court’s jurisdiction. The goal of service of process is to inform the defendant so they have a fair chance to respond; if you can’t find them to hand the papers or mail them, publication in a newspaper (or another approved publication) in the proper jurisdiction provides constructive notice that the action exists. This method is specifically a fallback after you’ve exhausted practical locate-steps—checking last known addresses, public records, and other leads—because it reaches the broadest possible audience when the person’s whereabouts are unknown. Publishing the notice for a required period helps ensure the defendant has an opportunity to respond, and the court can proceed if no timely appearance is made. The other methods require actually locating and delivering to the defendant (personal service by hand, service by mail, or posting at the last known address), so they aren’t viable when locate procedures fail.