Which of the following is a valid method of service on a domestic or foreign corporation?

• A. Deliver to officer, director, or managing agent or to the office of person who is apparently in charge
• B. Deliver to a neighbor
• C. Deliver by publication
• D. Service by leaving at the door

Answer: (A)

For a domestic or foreign corporation, service is valid when you deliver the papers to someone who has actual authority to receive service for the company. That includes an officer, director, or managing agent, or the office of the person who appears to be in charge at the principal place of business. This ensures the notice goes to someone empowered to act for the corporation and to pass the information along. Delivering to a neighbor has no authority to bind or notify the company, service by publication isn’t the proper method for standard corporate service, and leaving the papers at the door doesn’t reach an authorized recipient. So, serving an officer, director, or managing agent, or the person in charge at the office, is the correct approach because it reaches someone who can actually receive and convey the case to the corporation.