§ 1065 — Obtaining personal jurisdiction

(a) Jurisdiction is acquired over a party in any civil action by transmitting to the party a copy of the summons and the petition or complaint (the papers) by any of the following methods:

(1) By personal service.

(2) By leaving a copy at the party’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion residing there.

(3) By any form of mail.

(4) In the manner prescribed by court rule.

(5) In the manner directed by the Court, including publication in print or on a legal notices website established by the Court, if other methods of service have failed or are deemed to have been inadequate.

(b) If a party to whom papers have been transmitted by ordinary mail shall fail to appear in the action and there shall be no reliable proof that such party has received notice thereof, then the Court shall order that further effort be made to provide notice to that party which may include notice by certified or registered mail, or by any other method for providing notice specified in subsection (a) of this section above.

(c) Jurisdiction shall be acquired over a minor by any of the above methods directed to the minor and to the minor’s parent, custodian or guardian.

(d) If, for any particular action, another statute or rule adopted pursuant to statute prescribes a method or methods for acquiring jurisdiction over a party, then jurisdiction shall be acquired thereby.

(e) It is not necessary to transmit papers or otherwise provide notice to a party who has entered an appearance in the action.

Legislative History

63 Del. Laws, c. 113, § 1 ; 69 Del. Laws, c. 335, § 1 ; 80 Del. Laws, c. 373, § 1 ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 1