Service of Judicial Documents in Foreign Countries

In appropriate cases, service of process in a foreign country may be effected through the Office of the Clerk of Court under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(2)(c)(ii). In addition to any other requirements, this district requires that attorneys seeking service of process in a foreign country by mail provide an affidavit setting forth the precise manner of service chosen and the legal authority to support the selected method of service. In addition, the affidavit shall state the following:

1. there is no international agreed means of service, or
2. the applicable international agreement allows other means of service, and
3. that service by mail is authorized by the domestic law of the foreign country.

These instructions merely address the logistics for serving through the Office of the Clerk of Court under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(2)(c)(ii) and do not address whether service under Rule 4(f) is appropriate in any particular case. In forwarding the documents in the manner requested by an attorney, the Office of the Clerk of Court takes no position as to whether this constitutes effective service under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or any applicable international agreements on service. Of course, parties are responsible for both researching and arranging for proper service.