Process

The summons and a copy of the complaint shall be served together. The plaintiff shall furnish the person making service with such copies as are necessary. Service shall be made as follows: (1) The defendant, whether within or without the Commonwealth, may accept personal service by written endorsement of his duly notarized acceptance of service on the summons or other process. In the event that service is not so accepted, service shall be made as set forth hereafter: (2) Upon an individual by delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to him personally. In complaints seeking establishment of paternity or for support of a child born out of wedlock, complaints for support of a spouse or child under Chapter 209, § 32F , for actions under Chapter 209D , for contempt and complaints for modification only, upon an individual: (i) by delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to him personally, or (ii) by leaving a copy of the summons and complaint at his last and usual place of abode and by mailing copies thereof to the defendant. Notice under this subsection shall be proved by affidavit containing a particular statement thereof. (3) If the person authorized to serve process makes return that after diligent search he cannot find the defendant, or if it appears that a defendant resides outside of the Commonwealth or is of parts unknown, the court may on application of the plaintiff issue an order of notice in the manner and form prescribed by law. (4) If personal service shall not be made as aforesaid, such notice in the form ordered by the court shall be served by publishing a copy of the said notice once in some newspaper designated by the Register or the court and by mailing a copy of such notice by registered or certified mail, if practicable, to the defendant at his last known address. The defendant shall file his answer or other responsive pleading within the time periods allowed under these rules computed as if the date of publication were the date on which personal service was made. (5) Service of publication and mailing shall be proved by affidavit containing a particular statement thereof, accompanied by a copy of the advertisement (or tear sheet) of the newspaper containing the publication and, if practicable, by the return receipt showing receipt of a copy sent by registered or certified mail. (6) The court shall require proof of actual notice when practicable. If such notice is not shown to have been received by the defendant, the complaint shall not be assigned for hearing until the expiration of three months after the publication date, date of service at a last and usual place of abode, or date of a mailing to the last known address of the defendant if such service has been ordered by the court. Nothing in this rule shall prevent hearing of a motion for temporary orders or issuance of temporary orders prior to the expiration of three months, provided notice of the motion and hearing has been mailed to the defendant's last and usual place of abode in accordance with Rules 5 and 6 .