Rule 1064.Service.

Last amended December 30, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1064 adds a service safeguard in quiet-title actions over subsurface mineral, oil, or gas rights, requiring extra steps when a plaintiff serving by publication learns of a defendant's last known address outside the county.

Full Text of Rule 1064

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In actions involving subsurface mineral, oil, or natural gas rights, if the plaintiff seeks to serve original process by publication pursuant to Rule 430 and obtains actual knowledge of a last known address of the defendant outside the county in which the property is located, the plaintiff shall explain in the affidavit required by Rule 430(a) the search for the defendant in that locale.

End

Plain-English Summary

Disputes over subsurface mineral, oil, and gas rights often involve owners who are hard to locate. When a plaintiff turns to service by publication under Rule 430 but learns of a defendant's last known address outside the county where the property sits, this rule requires further effort to reach that defendant.

The safeguard guards against quieting title against an owner who could have been found and notified by ordinary means.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this special service rule apply?

In quiet-title actions over subsurface mineral, oil, or natural gas rights where the plaintiff seeks service by publication under Rule 430.

What triggers the extra step?

The plaintiff obtaining actual knowledge of the defendant's last known address outside the county where the property is located.

Official Note

Official Note: For service of original process, see Rule 410 governing service in actions involving real property. See Rule 430 for additional requirements for service of original process by publication.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1064 rescinded June 20, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended November 29, 2016, effective January 1, 2017, 46 Pa.B. 7933; amended December 30, 2016, effective January 1, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 178. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (385502) to (385503).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: quiet title service by publicationsubsurface mineral rights servicepublication service