Rule 400.1.Provisions for All Courts of the First Judicial District.

Adopted May 11, 1990 · Last amended June 14, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 400.1 sets the service-of-process provisions for the First Judicial District (Philadelphia), allowing original process in a Philadelphia action to be served within the county by the sheriff or a competent adult and in other counties by deputized service or a competent adult.

Full Text of Rule 400.1

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) In an action commenced in the First Judicial District, original process may be served

(1) within the county by the sheriff or a competent adult, or

(2) in any other county by deputized service as provided by Rule 400(d) or by a competent adult forwarding the process to the sheriff of the county where service may be made.

(b) In an action commenced in any other county, original process may be served in Philadelphia County by deputized service as provided by Rule 400(d) or by a competent adult.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule adapts the general service rule for Philadelphia. In an action commenced in the First Judicial District, original process may be served within the county by the sheriff or a competent adult, and in any other county by deputized service under Rule 400(d) or by a competent adult forwarding the process to that county’s sheriff.

It also reaches the other direction. In an action commenced in another county, original process may be served in Philadelphia by deputized service or by a competent adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is service made in Philadelphia cases?

In a Philadelphia (First Judicial District) action, original process may be served within the county by the sheriff or a competent adult, and in other counties by deputized service or a competent adult.

Official Note

Official Note: See Rule 76 for the definition of ‘‘competent adult.’’ The First Judicial District is comprised of Philadelphia.

Official Note: See Rule 76 for the definition of ‘‘competent adult.’’

Official Note: For service in an action for protection from abuse, see Rule 1930.4(b).

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 400.1 adopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately, 20 Pa.B. 2737; amended July 2, 1998, effective August 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3373; amended May 14, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2767; amended June 14, 1999, effective September 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3191. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (256951). (Editor’s Note: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended its order of June 14, 1999, published at 29 Pa.B. 3191 (June 26, 1999). See 29 Pa.B. 4859 (September 18, 1999).)

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: First Judicial DistrictPhiladelphia servicecompetent adult Philadelphia