{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-296.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-296.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-296.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-296.html"}],"law_id":57169,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57169,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-296","catch_line":"Manner of serving process upon natural persons","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-51; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617; 1989, cc. 518, 524; 1990, cc. 729, 767; 1996, c. 538; 2005, c. 866; 2008, c. 489; 2024, c. 454.","full_text":"In addition to any other manner of service upon natural persons prescribed elsewhere in the Code, and subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-286.1, in any action at law or in equity or any other civil proceeding in any court, process, for which no particular mode of service is prescribed, may be served upon natural persons as follows:\n\n1\n\nBy delivering a copy thereof in writing to the party in person; or2\n\nBy substituted service in the following manner:\n\t\t\ta. If the party to be served is not found at his usual place of abode, by delivering a copy of such process and giving information of its purport to any person found there, who is a member of his family, other than a temporary sojourner or guest, and who is of the age of 16 years or older; or\n\t\t\tb. If such service cannot be effected under subdivision 2 a, then by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such place of abode, provided that not less than 10 days before judgment by default may be entered, the party causing service or his attorney or agent mails to the party served a copy of such process and thereafter files in the office of the clerk of the court a certificate of such mailing. In any civil action brought in a general district court, the mailing of the application for a warrant in debt or affidavit for summons in unlawful detainer or other civil pleading or a copy of such pleading, whether yet issued by the court or not, which contains the date, time and place of the return, prior to or after filing such pleading in the general district court, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section. In any civil action brought in a circuit court, the mailing of a copy of the pleadings with a notice that the proceedings are pending in the court indicated and that upon the expiration of 10 days after the giving of the notice and the expiration of the statutory period within which to respond, without further notice, the entry of a judgment by default as prayed for in the pleadings may be requested, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section and any notice requirement of the Rules of Court. Any judgment by default entered after July 1, 1989, upon posted service in which proceedings a copy of the pleadings was mailed as provided for in this section prior to July 1, 1989, is validated.\n\t\t\tc. The person executing such service shall note the manner and the date of such service on the original and the copy of the process so delivered or posted under this subdivision and shall effect the return of process as provided in §§ 8.01-294 and 8.01-325.3\n\nIf service cannot be effected under subdivisions 1 and 2, then by order of publication in appropriate cases under the provisions of §§ 8.01-316 through 8.01-320.4\n\nThe landlord or his duly authorized agent or representative may serve notices required by the rental agreement or by law upon the tenant or occupant under a rental agreement that is within the purview of Chapter 14 (§ 55.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 55.1.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":209375,"text":"In addition to any other manner of service upon natural persons prescribed elsewhere in the Code, and subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-286.1, in any action at law or in equity or any other civil proceeding in any court, process, for which no particular mode of service is prescribed, may be served upon natural persons as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":209376,"text":"By delivering a copy thereof in writing to the party in person; or","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":209377,"text":"By substituted service in the following manner:\n\t\t\ta. If the party to be served is not found at his usual place of abode, by delivering a copy of such process and giving information of its purport to any person found there, who is a member of his family, other than a temporary sojourner or guest, and who is of the age of 16 years or older; or\n\t\t\tb. If such service cannot be effected under subdivision 2 a, then by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such place of abode, provided that not less than 10 days before judgment by default may be entered, the party causing service or his attorney or agent mails to the party served a copy of such process and thereafter files in the office of the clerk of the court a certificate of such mailing. In any civil action brought in a general district court, the mailing of the application for a warrant in debt or affidavit for summons in unlawful detainer or other civil pleading or a copy of such pleading, whether yet issued by the court or not, which contains the date, time and place of the return, prior to or after filing such pleading in the general district court, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section. In any civil action brought in a circuit court, the mailing of a copy of the pleadings with a notice that the proceedings are pending in the court indicated and that upon the expiration of 10 days after the giving of the notice and the expiration of the statutory period within which to respond, without further notice, the entry of a judgment by default as prayed for in the pleadings may be requested, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section and any notice requirement of the Rules of Court. Any judgment by default entered after July 1, 1989, upon posted service in which proceedings a copy of the pleadings was mailed as provided for in this section prior to July 1, 1989, is validated.\n\t\t\tc. The person executing such service shall note the manner and the date of such service on the original and the copy of the process so delivered or posted under this subdivision and shall effect the return of process as provided in §§ 8.01-294 and 8.01-325.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":209378,"text":"If service cannot be effected under subdivisions 1 and 2, then by order of publication in appropriate cases under the provisions of §§ 8.01-316 through 8.01-320.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":209379,"text":"The landlord or his duly authorized agent or representative may serve notices required by the rental agreement or by law upon the tenant or occupant under a rental agreement that is within the purview of Chapter 14 (§ 55.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 55.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13354,"edition_id":1,"name":"Who to Be Served","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13353,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":281529,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13354,"identifier":"4","token":"8.01\/8\/4","url":"\/8.01\/8\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13353,"edition_id":1,"name":"Process","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":281473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13353,"identifier":"8","token":"8.01\/8","url":"\/8.01\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57169,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-296","catch_line":"Manner of serving process upon natural persons","url":"\/8.01-296\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-296","metadata":false},{"id":84916,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-297","catch_line":"Process on convict defendant","url":"\/8.01-297\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-297","metadata":false},{"id":74903,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-298","catch_line":"How summons for witness or juror served","url":"\/8.01-298\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-298","metadata":false},{"id":76632,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-299","catch_line":"How process served on domestic stock corporations, nonstock corporations, and limited liability companies generally","url":"\/8.01-299\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-299","metadata":false},{"id":62573,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-300","catch_line":"How process served on municipal and county governments and on quasi-governmental entities","url":"\/8.01-300\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-300","metadata":false},{"id":80689,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-301","catch_line":"How process served on foreign stock or nonstock corporations and foreign limited liability companies generally","url":"\/8.01-301\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-301","metadata":false},{"id":57428,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-302","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-302\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-302","metadata":false},{"id":60079,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-303","catch_line":"On whom process served when corporation operated by trustee or receiver","url":"\/8.01-303\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-303","metadata":false},{"id":74972,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-304","catch_line":"How process served on copartner or partnership, domestic or foreign limited liability partnership, and domestic or foreign limited partnership","url":"\/8.01-304\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-304","metadata":false},{"id":57093,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-304.1","catch_line":"How process served on a business trust","url":"\/8.01-304.1\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-304.1","metadata":false},{"id":86653,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-305","catch_line":"Process against unincorporated associations or orders, or unincorporated common carriers","url":"\/8.01-305\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-305","metadata":false},{"id":54446,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-306","catch_line":"Process against unincorporated associations or orders, or unincorporated common carriers; principal office outside Virginia and business transactions in Virginia","url":"\/8.01-306\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-306","metadata":false},{"id":71881,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-307","catch_line":"Definition of terms \"motor vehicle\" and \"nonresident\" in motor vehicle and aircraft accident cases","url":"\/8.01-307\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-307","metadata":false},{"id":61678,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-308","catch_line":"Service on Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles as agent for nonresident motor vehicle operator","url":"\/8.01-308\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-308","metadata":false},{"id":61128,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-309","catch_line":"Service on Secretary of Commonwealth as agent of nonresident operator or owner of aircraft","url":"\/8.01-309\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-309","metadata":false},{"id":84659,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-310","catch_line":"How service made on Commissioner, Secretary, and Clerk; appointment binding","url":"\/8.01-310\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-310","metadata":false},{"id":80670,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-311","catch_line":"Continuance of action where service made on Commissioner, Secretary, and Clerk","url":"\/8.01-311\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-311","metadata":false},{"id":67145,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-312","catch_line":"Effect of service on statutory agent; duties of such agent; time for responding to process","url":"\/8.01-312\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-312","metadata":false},{"id":81995,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-313","catch_line":"Specific addresses for mailing by statutory agent and resident agent","url":"\/8.01-313\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-313","metadata":false},{"id":85430,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-314","catch_line":"Service on attorney after entry of general appearance by such attorney","url":"\/8.01-314\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-314","metadata":false},{"id":83124,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-315","catch_line":"Notice to be mailed defendant when service accepted by another","url":"\/8.01-315\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-315","metadata":false},{"id":66717,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-316","catch_line":"Service by publication; when available","url":"\/8.01-316\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-316","metadata":false},{"id":58190,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-317","catch_line":"What order of publication to state; how published; when publication in newspaper dispensed with; electronic notice","url":"\/8.01-317\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-317","metadata":false},{"id":54333,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-318","catch_line":"Within what time after publication case tried or heard; no subsequent publication required","url":"\/8.01-318\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-318","metadata":false},{"id":56410,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-319","catch_line":"Publication of interim notice","url":"\/8.01-319\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-319","metadata":false},{"id":76043,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-320","catch_line":"Personal service outside of Virginia","url":"\/8.01-320\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-320","metadata":false},{"id":61509,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-321","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-321\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-321","metadata":false},{"id":54367,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-322","catch_line":"Within what time case reheard on petition of party served by publication, and any injustice corrected","url":"\/8.01-322\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-322","metadata":false},{"id":61401,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-323","catch_line":"In what counties city newspapers deemed published for purpose of legal advertisements","url":"\/8.01-323\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-323","metadata":false},{"id":62668,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-324","catch_line":"Newspapers that may be used for legal notices and publications","url":"\/8.01-324\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-324","metadata":false},{"id":86831,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-325","catch_line":"Return by person serving process","url":"\/8.01-325\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-325","metadata":false},{"id":58455,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-326","catch_line":"Return as proof of service","url":"\/8.01-326\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326","metadata":false},{"id":57208,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-326.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-326.1\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326.1","metadata":false},{"id":83256,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-327","catch_line":"Acceptance of service of process","url":"\/8.01-327\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-327","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":84916,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-297","catch_line":"Process on convict defendant","url":"\/8.01-297\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-297","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-296\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1954, chapter 333; in 1977, chapter 617; in 1989, chapters 518 and 524; in 1990, chapters 729 and 767; in 1996, chapter 538<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 866<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 489<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 454<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85327,"section_number":"15.2-930","catch_line":"Regulation of garbage and refuse pickup and disposal services; contracting for such services","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-930\/"},{"id":79859,"section_number":"16.1-112","catch_line":"All papers transmitted to appellate court; further proceedings","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-112\/"},{"id":61705,"section_number":"16.1-253.1","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.1\/"},{"id":75806,"section_number":"16.1-264","catch_line":"Service of summons; proof of service; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-264\/"},{"id":73490,"section_number":"16.1-277.01","catch_line":"Approval of entrustment agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-277.01\/"},{"id":81859,"section_number":"16.1-296","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of appeals; procedure","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-296\/"},{"id":84650,"section_number":"16.1-88","catch_line":"Procedure when plaintiff sues on sworn claim","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-88\/"},{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":65160,"section_number":"19.2-386.3","catch_line":"Notice of seizure for forfeiture and notice of motion for judgment","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.3\/"},{"id":57689,"section_number":"20-61.3","catch_line":"Consequences of a putative father failing to appear","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-61.3\/"},{"id":64307,"section_number":"20-79.1","catch_line":"Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-79.1\/"},{"id":58423,"section_number":"20-99","catch_line":"How such suits instituted and conducted; costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-99\/"},{"id":64766,"section_number":"20-99.2","catch_line":"Service in divorce and annulment cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-99.2\/"},{"id":56470,"section_number":"24.2-801","catch_line":"Petition for recount; recount court","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-801\/"},{"id":69620,"section_number":"24.2-801.1","catch_line":"Petition for recount of election for presidential electors; recount court","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-801.1\/"},{"id":68390,"section_number":"24.2-803","catch_line":"Contest of election to General Assembly","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-803\/"},{"id":80204,"section_number":"24.2-805","catch_line":"Contest of elections of electors for President and Vice President or primaries for United States Senate or statewide office","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-805\/"},{"id":72167,"section_number":"24.2-808","catch_line":"Time of filing and service of complaint; enlargement or amendment of complaint","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-808\/"},{"id":55384,"section_number":"43-34","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens acquired under \u00a7\u00a7 43-31 through 43-33 and of liens of bailees","order_by":null,"url":"\/43-34\/"},{"id":81751,"section_number":"46.2-320.1","catch_line":"Other grounds for suspension; nonpayment of child support","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-320.1\/"},{"id":57478,"section_number":"46.2-416","catch_line":"Notice of suspension or revocation of license","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-416\/"},{"id":59512,"section_number":"63.2-1903","catch_line":"Authority to issue certain orders; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1903\/"},{"id":58910,"section_number":"63.2-1916","catch_line":"Notice of administrative support order; contents; hearing; modification","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1916\/"},{"id":77713,"section_number":"63.2-1921","catch_line":"Authority to initiate reviews of certain orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1921\/"},{"id":69701,"section_number":"63.2-1923","catch_line":"Immediate withholding from income; exception; notices required","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1923\/"},{"id":74827,"section_number":"63.2-1924","catch_line":"Withholding from income; default of administrative or judicial support order; notices required; priorities; orders from other states","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1924\/"},{"id":67402,"section_number":"63.2-1929","catch_line":"Orders to withhold and to deliver property of debtor; issuance and service; contents; right to appeal; answer; effect; delivery of property; bond to release; fee; exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1929\/"},{"id":86016,"section_number":"63.2-1937","catch_line":"Applications for occupational or other license to include social security or control number; suspension upon delinquency; procedure","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1937\/"},{"id":84160,"section_number":"63.2-1942","catch_line":"Administrative hearing on notice of debt; withholdings; orders to withhold and deliver property to debtor; set-off debt collection","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1942\/"},{"id":56320,"section_number":"8.01-126","catch_line":"Summons for unlawful detainer issued by magistrate or clerk or judge of a general district court","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-126\/"},{"id":73474,"section_number":"8.01-217","catch_line":"How name of person may be changed","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-217\/"},{"id":76858,"section_number":"8.01-28","catch_line":"When judgment to be given in action upon contract or note unless defendant appears and denies claim under oath","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-28\/"},{"id":82871,"section_number":"8.01-286.1","catch_line":"Service of process; waiver, duty to save costs, request to waive, how served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286.1\/"},{"id":74903,"section_number":"8.01-298","catch_line":"How summons for witness or juror served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-298\/"},{"id":76632,"section_number":"8.01-299","catch_line":"How process served on domestic stock corporations, nonstock corporations, and limited liability companies generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-299\/"},{"id":76043,"section_number":"8.01-320","catch_line":"Personal service outside of Virginia","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-320\/"},{"id":58110,"section_number":"8.01-328.1","catch_line":"When personal jurisdiction over person may be exercised","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-328.1\/"},{"id":55282,"section_number":"8.01-394","catch_line":"How contents of any such lost record, etc., proved","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-394\/"},{"id":86882,"section_number":"8.01-424.1","catch_line":"Settlement of third-party action; deemed consent by employer","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-424.1\/"},{"id":72009,"section_number":"8.01-511","catch_line":"Institution of garnishment proceedings","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-511\/"},{"id":58794,"section_number":"8.01-55","catch_line":"Compromise of claim for death by wrongful act","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-55\/"},{"id":65526,"section_number":"8.01-550","catch_line":"How attachment levied","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-550\/"},{"id":79493,"section_number":"8.01-593","catch_line":"Subsequent proceedings after emergency appointment","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-593\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75454,"section_number":"55.1-1400","catch_line":"Applicability; right to terminate tenant","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1400\/"},{"id":82871,"section_number":"8.01-286.1","catch_line":"Service of process; waiver, duty to save costs, request to waive, how served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286.1\/"},{"id":72019,"section_number":"8.01-294","catch_line":"Sheriff to get from clerk's office process and other papers; return of papers; effect of late return","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-294\/"},{"id":66717,"section_number":"8.01-316","catch_line":"Service by publication; when available","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-316\/"}],"permalink":{"id":281531,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57169,"identifier":"8.01-296","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-296","url":"\/8.01-296\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-296\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-296","dublin_core":{"Title":"Manner of serving process upon natural persons","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-296","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to any other manner of service upon natural persons<\/span> prescribed elsewhere in the Code, and subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-286.1<\/a>, in any action<\/span> at law<\/span> or in equity<\/span> or any other civil proceeding in any court<\/span>, process, for which no particular mode of service is prescribed, may be served upon natural persons<\/span> as follows:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> By delivering a copy thereof in writing to the party<\/span> in person<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> By substituted service in the following manner:\n\t\t\ta. If the party<\/span> to be served is not found at his usual place of abode, by delivering a copy of such process and giving information of its purport to any person<\/span> found there, who is a member of his family, other than a temporary sojourner or guest, and who is of the age of 16 years or older; or\n\t\t\tb. If such service cannot be effected under subdivision 2 a, then by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such place of abode, provided that not less than 10 days before judgment by default<\/span> may be entered, the party<\/span> causing service or his attorney or agent mails to the party<\/span> served a copy of such process and thereafter files in the office of the clerk of the court<\/span> a certificate of such mailing. In any civil action<\/span> brought in a general district court<\/span>, the mailing of the application for a warrant in debt or affidavit<\/span> for summons<\/span> in unlawful detainer<\/span> or other civil pleading or a copy of such pleading, whether yet issued by the court<\/span> or not, which contains the date, time and place of the return, prior to or after filing such pleading in the general district court<\/span>, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section. In any civil action<\/span> brought in a circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, the mailing of a copy of the pleadings<\/span> with a notice that the proceedings are pending in the court<\/span> indicated and that upon the expiration of 10 days after the giving of the notice and the expiration of the statutory period within which to respond, without further notice, the entry of a judgment by default<\/span> as prayed for in the pleadings<\/span> may be requested, shall satisfy the mailing requirements of this section and any notice requirement of the Rules of Court<\/span>. Any judgment by default<\/span> entered after July 1, 1989, upon posted service in which proceedings a copy of the pleadings<\/span> was mailed as provided for in this section prior to July 1, 1989, is validated.\n\t\t\tc. The person<\/span> executing such service shall note the manner and the date of such service on the original and the copy of the process so delivered or posted under this subdivision and shall effect the return of process as provided in §§ 8.01-294<\/a> and 8.01-325<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If service cannot be effected under subdivisions 1 and 2, then by order<\/span> of publication in appropriate cases under the provisions of §§ 8.01-316<\/a> through 8.01-320<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The landlord or his duly authorized agent or representative may serve notices required by the rental agreement or by law<\/span> upon the tenant or occupant under a rental agreement that is within the purview of Chapter 14 (§ 55.1-1400<\/a> et seq.) of Title 55.1. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMANNER OF SERVING PROCESS UPON NATURAL PERSONS (\u00a7 8.01-296)\n\nIn addition to any other manner of service upon natural persons prescribed\nelsewhere in the Code, and subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-286.1, in any\naction at law or in equity or any other civil proceeding in any court, process,\nfor which no particular mode of service is prescribed, may be served upon\nnatural persons as follows:\n\n1. By delivering a copy thereof in writing to the party in person; or\n\n2. By substituted service in the following manner:\n\t\t\ta. If the party to be served is not found at his usual place of abode, by\ndelivering a copy of such process and giving information of its purport to any\nperson found there, who is a member of his family, other than a temporary\nsojourner or guest, and who is of the age of 16 years or older; or\n\t\t\tb. If such service cannot be effected under subdivision 2 a, then by posting\na copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be\nthe main entrance of such place of abode, provided that not less than 10 days\nbefore judgment by default may be entered, the party causing service or his\nattorney or agent mails to the party served a copy of such process and\nthereafter files in the office of the clerk of the court a certificate of such\nmailing. In any civil action brought in a general district court, the mailing of\nthe application for a warrant in debt or affidavit for summons in unlawful\ndetainer or other civil pleading or a copy of such pleading, whether yet issued\nby the court or not, which contains the date, time and place of the return,\nprior to or after filing such pleading in the general district court, shall\nsatisfy the mailing requirements of this section. In any civil action brought in\na circuit court, the mailing of a copy of the pleadings with a notice that the\nproceedings are pending in the court indicated and that upon the expiration of\n10 days after the giving of the notice and the expiration of the statutory\nperiod within which to respond, without further notice, the entry of a judgment\nby default as prayed for in the pleadings may be requested, shall satisfy the\nmailing requirements of this section and any notice requirement of the Rules of\nCourt. Any judgment by default entered after July 1, 1989, upon posted service\nin which proceedings a copy of the pleadings was mailed as provided for in this\nsection prior to July 1, 1989, is validated.\n\t\t\tc. The person executing such service shall note the manner and the date of\nsuch service on the original and the copy of the process so delivered or posted\nunder this subdivision and shall effect the return of process as provided in\n§§ 8.01-294 and 8.01-325.\n\n3. If service cannot be effected under subdivisions 1 and 2, then by order of\npublication in appropriate cases under the provisions of §§ 8.01-316\nthrough 8.01-320.\n\n4. The landlord or his duly authorized agent or representative may serve notices\nrequired by the rental agreement or by law upon the tenant or occupant under a\nrental agreement that is within the purview of Chapter 14 (§ 55.1-1400 et\nseq.) of Title 55.1.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-51; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617; 1989, cc. 518, 524;\n1990, cc. 729, 767; 1996, c. 538; 2005, c. 866; 2008, c. 489; 2024, c. 454.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}