Rule 440.Service of Legal Papers other than Original Process.

Adopted July 5, 1985 · Last amended December 16, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 440 governs service of legal papers other than original process, requiring copies to be served on every other party — by handing or mailing to the attorney of record (or the party if unrepresented), or by facsimile by agreement — with mail service complete upon mailing.

Full Text of Rule 440

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

(a)

(1) Copies of all legal papers other than original process filed in an action or served upon any party to an action shall be served upon every other party to the action. Service shall be made

(i) by handling or mailing a copy to or leaving a copy for each party at the address of the party’s attorney of record endorsed on an appearance or prior pleading of the party, or at such other address as a party may agree, or

(ii) by transmitting a copy by facsimile to the party’s attorney of record as provided by subdivision (d).

(2)

(i) If there is no attorney of record, service shall be made by handing a copy to the party or by mailing a copy to or leaving a copy for the party at the address endorsed on an appearance or prior pleading or the residence or place of business of the party, or by transmitting a copy by facsimile as provided by subdivision (d).

(ii) If such service cannot be made, service shall be made by leaving a copy at or mailing a copy to the last known address of the party to be served.

(b) Service by mail of legal papers other than original process is complete upon mailing.

(c) If service of legal papers other than original process is to be made by the sheriff, he shall notify by ordinary mail the party requesting service to be made that service has or has not been made upon a named party or person.

(d)

(1) A copy may be served by facsimile transmission if the parties agree thereto or if a telephone number for facsimile transmission is included on an appearance or prior legal paper filed with the court.

(2) The copy served shall begin with a facsimile cover sheet containing

(i) the name, firm, address, telephone number, of both the party making service and the party served,

(ii) the facsimile telephone number of the party making service and the facsimile telephone number to which the copy was transmitted,

(iii) the title of the legal paper served and

(iv) the number of pages transmitted.

(3) Service is complete when transmission is confirmed as complete.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule covers the routine service of everything after the summons or complaint. Copies of all legal papers other than original process, whether filed or served on a party, must be served on every other party to the action.

Service is directed to counsel or the party. It is made by handing or mailing a copy to, or leaving a copy for, each party at the address of the party’s attorney of record; if there is no attorney of record, service is made on the party at the address endorsed on an appearance or pleading, or at the party’s last known address. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.

Facsimile service is allowed by agreement. A copy may be served by fax if the parties agree or a fax number appears on an appearance or prior paper, using a cover sheet with the required information; fax service is complete when transmission is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are papers other than the complaint served?

On every other party, by handing or mailing a copy to the party’s attorney of record, or to an unrepresented party at the endorsed or last known address. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.

Can I serve documents by fax or email?

A copy may be served by facsimile if the parties agree or a fax number appears on an appearance or prior paper, using a cover sheet with the required information. (Electronic service in e-filing courts is governed by Rule 205.4.)

Official Note

Official Note: Such other address as a party may agree might include a mailbox in the prothonotary’s office or an e-mail address. For electronic service by means other than facsimile transmission, see Rule 205.4(g).

Official Note: This rule applies to the service upon a party of all legal papers other than original process and includes, but is not limited to, all other pleadings as well as motions, petitions, answers thereto, rules, notices, interrogatories and answers thereto. Original process is served under Rule 400 et seq.

Official Note: See Rule 236(d) providing for the prothonotary to give notice of orders and judgments, and also other matters, by facsimile or other electronic means. See Rule 205.4 governing filling and service of legal papers by electronic means other than facsimile transmission.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 440 adopted July 5, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended November 7, 1988, effective January 1, 1989, 18 Pa.B. 5333; amended August 3, 1998, effective January 1, 1999, 28 Pa.B. 3928; amended June 14, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3189; amended November 28, 2000, effective January 1, 2001, 30 Pa.B. 6421; amended December 16, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 9. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (297566) to (271785).

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: service of legal papersservice other than original processcertificate of servicefax service