§ 61-3003 Methods of service of process

61-3003. Methods of service of process

(a) Methods of service of process within this state, except service by publication, are described in this section. Service of process outside the state shall be made in substantial compliance with the applicable provisions of K.S.A. 60-308, and amendments thereto.

(b) Who serves process. The sheriff of the county in which the action is filed shall serve any process by any method authorized by this section, or as otherwise provided by law, unless a party, either personally or through an attorney, elects to undertake responsibility for service and so notifies the clerk.

(1) Service of process by return receipt delivery shall include service effected by certified mail, priority mail, commercial courier service, overnight delivery service, or other reliable personal delivery service to the party addressed, in each instance evidenced by a written or electronic receipt showing to whom delivered, date of delivery, address where delivered, and person or entity effecting delivery.

(2) The sheriff, party or party's attorney shall cause a copy of the process and petition or other document to be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to the person to be served in accordance with K.S.A. 61-3004, and amendments thereto, with postage or other delivery fees prepaid, and the sealed envelope placed in the custody of the person or entity effecting delivery.

(3) Service of process shall be considered obtained under K.S.A. 61-2902, and amendments thereto, upon the delivery of the sealed envelope.

(4) After service and return of the receipt, the sheriff, party, or party's attorney shall execute a return on service stating the nature of the process, to whom delivered, the date of delivery, the address where delivered, and the person or entity effecting delivery. The original return of service shall be filed with the clerk, along with a copy of the return receipt evidencing such delivery.

(5) If the sealed envelope is returned with an endorsement showing refusal to accept delivery, the sheriff, party or the party's attorney may send a copy of the process and petition or other document by first-class mail addressed to the party to be served, or may elect other methods of service. If mailed, service shall be considered obtained three days after the mailing by first-class mail, postage prepaid, which shall be evidenced by a certificate of service filed with the clerk. If the unopened envelope sent first-class mail is returned as undelivered for any reason, the sheriff, party or party's attorney shall file an amended certificate of service with the clerk indicating nondelivery, and service by such mailing shall not be considered obtained. Mere failure to claim return receipt delivery is not refusal of service within the meaning of this subsection.

(d) Personal and residence service.

(1) The party may file a written request with the clerk for personal or residence service. Personal service shall be made by delivering or offering to deliver a copy of the process and accompanying documents to the person to be served. Residence service shall be made by leaving a copy of the process and petition, or other document to be served, at the dwelling house or usual place of abode of the person to be served with some person of suitable age and discretion residing therein. If service cannot be made upon an individual, other than a minor or a disabled person, by personal or residence service, service may be made by leaving a copy of the process and petition, or other document to be served, at the defendant's dwelling house or usual place of abode and mailing a notice that such copy has been left at such house or place of abode to the individual by first-class mail.

(2) When process is to be served under this subsection, the clerk of the court shall deliver the process and sufficient copies of the process and petition, or other document to be served, to the sheriff of the county where the process is to be served or, if requested, to a person appointed to serve process or to the plaintiff's attorney.

(3) Service, levy and execution of all process under this subsection, including, but not limited to, writs of execution, orders of attachment, replevin orders, orders for delivery, writs of restitution and writs of assistance, shall be made by a sheriff within the sheriff's county, by the sheriff's deputy, by an attorney admitted to the practice of law before the supreme court of Kansas, by a person licensed as a private detective pursuant to K.S.A. 75-7b01 et seq., and amendments thereto, or by some person appointed as a process server by a judge or clerk of the district court, except that a subpoena may also be served by any other person who is not a party and is not less than 18 years of age. Process servers shall be appointed freely and may be authorized either to serve process in a single case or in cases generally during a fixed period of time. A process server, authorized attorney or licensed private detective may make the service anywhere in or out of the state and shall be allowed the fees prescribed in K.S.A. 28-110, and amendments thereto, for the sheriff and such other fees and costs as the court shall allow. All persons authorized under this subsection to serve, levy and execute process shall be considered an “officer” as used in K.S.A. 60-706 and 60-2401, and amendments thereto.

(4) In all cases when the person to be served, or an agent authorized by the person to accept service of process, refuses to receive copies thereof, the offer of the duly authorized process server to deliver copies thereof, and the refusal, shall be a sufficient service of the process.

(e) Publication service. Service of process by publication may be made pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 60-307, and
amendments thereto, which are not inconsistent or in conflict with this act.

(f) Acknowledgment or appearance. An acknowledgment of service on the summons is equivalent to service. The voluntary appearance by a defendant is equivalent to service as of the date of appearance.

(g) In addition to other methods listed in this section, the person serving process may serve a garnishment process in any of the following methods:

(1) First class mail. Process may be sent to a person by first-class mail by placing a copy of the process and petition or other document to be served in an envelope addressed to the person to be served in accordance with K.S.A. 61-3004, and amendments thereto, at such person's last known address. The envelope used for such service shall be addressed to the person in accordance with K.S.A. 61-3004, and amendments thereto, and shall contain adequate postage. Such envelope shall be sealed and placed in the United States mail. Service by first-class mail shall be complete when the envelope is placed in the mail unless returned undelivered. Service shall be considered obtained upon the mailing by first-class mail unless returned undelivered.

(2) Telefacsimile communication. Process may be sent to a person by telefacsimile communication at a telefacsimile number designated by the garnishee. Service is complete upon receipt of a confirmation generated by the transmitting machine.

(3) Internet electronic mail. Process may be sent to a person by internet electronic mail at an internet electronic mail address designated by the garnishee and as provided in the rules to be adopted hereunder by the supreme court. Service is complete upon receipt of a reply generated by the garnishee.