Rule 430.Service Pursuant to Special Order of Court. Publication.

Adopted July 5, 1985 · Last amended December 30, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 430 lets a plaintiff who cannot make service under the applicable rule move for a special court order directing the method of service, supported by an affidavit, and sets how service by publication is carried out.

Full Text of Rule 430

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) If service cannot be made under the applicable rule the plaintiff may move the court for a special order directing the method of service. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation which has been made to determine the whereabouts of the defendant and the reasons why service cannot be made.

(b)

(1) If service of process by publication has been authorized by rule of civil procedure or order of court, the publication shall be by advertising a notice of the action once in the legal publication, if any, designated by the court for the publication of legal notices and in one newspaper of general circulation within the county. The publication shall contain the caption of the action and the names of the parties, state the nature of the action, and conclude with a notice substantially in the following form: NOTICE If you wish to defend, you must enter a written appearance personally or by attorney and file your defenses or objections in writing with the court. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you without further notice for the relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.

(NAME) (ADDRESS) (TELEPHONE NUMBER)

(2) When service is made by publication upon the heirs and assigns of a named former owner or party in interest, the court may permit publication against the heirs or assigns generally if it is set forth in the complaint or an affidavit that they are unknown.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule is the fallback when ordinary service fails. If service cannot be made under the applicable rule, the plaintiff may move the court for a special order directing the method of service, supported by an affidavit stating the efforts made to locate and serve the defendant.

It also governs publication. When service by publication is authorized by rule or court order, the publication is made by advertising a notice of the action once in the legal publication and a newspaper of general circulation, and the court may permit publication against the heirs or assigns of a named former owner generally when the complaint or an affidavit sets forth that they are unknown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot locate or serve a defendant?

Move the court for a special order directing the method of service, supported by an affidavit of the efforts made. The court may authorize service by publication or another appropriate method.

Official Note

Official Note: A sheriff’s return of ‘‘not found’’ or the fact that a defendant has moved without leaving a new forwarding address is insufficient evidence of concealment. Gonzales v. Polis, 357 A.2d 580 (Pa. Super. 1976). Notice of intended adoption mailed to last known address requires a ‘‘good faith effort’’ to discover the correct address. Adoption of Walker, 360 A.2d 603 (Pa. 1976). An illustration of a good faith effort to locate the defendant includes (1) inquiries of postal authorities including inquiries pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 39 C.F.R. Part 265, (2) inquiries of relatives, neighbors, friends, and employers of the defendant, (3) examinations of local telephone directories, courthouse records, voter registration records, local tax records, and motor vehicle records, and (4) a reasonable internet search. See Rule 1064 for additional requirements for service of original process by publication for actions to quiet title involving subsurface mineral, oil, or natural gas rights.

Official Note: The office shall be that designated by the court under Rule 1018.1(c).

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 430 adopted July 5, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended June 10, 2003, effective September 1, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2974; 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 (385499) to (385500).

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: special order of courtservice by publicationalternative servicecannot locate defendant