How is service on a corporation or business entity typically effected in Arizona?

• A. By serving a registered agent, an officer, or a managing agent, or on another person authorized to accept service on behalf of the entity.
• B. Only personal service on the defendant individually.
• C. By serving the county clerk.
• D. By serving a random employee of any department.

Answer: (A)

In Arizona, service on a corporation or business entity is effected by delivering the papers to someone who can accept service on behalf of the entity: the registered agent, an officer, or a managing agent, or another person authorized to accept service for the entity. The registered agent is the designated point of contact for legal notices, so serving that person at their address is valid. If there’s no registered agent available, service may be made on an officer or managing agent, or on someone else the entity has authorized to receive service. This ensures the notice actually reaches someone who represents the company and can respond.

Serving a random employee who isn’t authorized to accept service isn’t valid, and serving the county clerk isn’t the proper method for a private corporation. Personal service on an individual defendant applies to people, not to corporate entities.