If substituted service is used, what condition must be met at the serving location?

• A. The document must be mailed to the defendant.
• B. The document must be posted on the window.
• C. The document must be left with a person at least 18 years old.
• D. The document must be delivered to the defendant's employer.

Answer: (C)

Substituted service relies on getting a real notice to the defendant when you can’t hand it to them directly. The essential step at the serving location is to leave the documents with a competent adult who is at least 18 years old and who is at the defendant’s dwelling or usual place of business. This person acts as the recipient of the notice, ensuring there is a responsible adult who can receive and convey the papers.

Why this matters: having an adult 18 or older present provides a person who can understand and acknowledge receipt of the documents, which helps establish that service occurred in a lawful, verifiable way. Merely mailing the papers, posting them publicly, or delivering to the defendant’s employer do not satisfy this requirement about the immediate receiving party at the location, so they are not the condition described by substituted service. If you can’t locate such an adult, you’d need to pursue other approved service methods rather than substituting.