Service By Mail Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Service By Mail, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Service By Mail?

(n) Service by mail is the serving of notice, copies of the legal pleadings to the parties involved by delivery of the same to the adresse using the postal distribution channels.

History and Definition of Service By Mail

Service by mail is a common legal practice that involves delivering notices and copies of legal pleadings to involved parties by means of the postal system. When used correctly, service by mail serves as a formal notification of legal proceedings, which is necessary for due process.

The history of service by mail extends back to the time of the Founding Fathers. In 1789, the First Congress of the United States established the federal court system and included provisions for trial by jury, the service of process, and jurisdiction. The rules of service by mail were written into the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in 1938 and have been used ever since to ensure that due process is served.

Examples of Service By Mail

  1. A creditor serving notice of a debt claim by mail to a debtor's last known residence.
  2. A court sending legal documents to a defendant through the postal system.
  3. A landlord serving legal notice of eviction to a tenant by mail.

Related Terms

  1. Due Process: The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.
  2. Service of Process: The procedure by which a party to a lawsuit gives an appropriate notice of initial legal action to another party.
  3. Notice: A formal announcement or warning that must be given legally to ensure due process.