(a) Summons; Service; Proof of Service.
(1) Except as provided in Rule 7004(a)(2), Rule 4(a), (b), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)–(j), ( l), and (m) F.R.Civ.P. applies in adversary proceedings. Personal service under Rule 4(e)–(j) F.R.Civ.P. may be made by any person at least 18 years of age who is not a party, and the summons may be delivered by the clerk to any such person.
(2) The clerk may sign, seal, and issue a summons electronically by putting an ‘‘s/’’ before the clerk’s name and including the court’s seal on the summons.
(b) Service by First Class Mail. Except as provided in subdivision (h), in addition to the methods of service authorized by Rule 4(e)–(j) F.R.Civ.P., service may be made within the United States by first class mail postage prepaid as follows:
(1) Upon an individual other than an infant or incompetent, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the individual’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or to the place where the individual regularly conducts a business or profession.
(2) Upon an infant or an incompetent person, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the person upon whom process is prescribed to be served by the law of the state in which service is made when an action is brought against such a defendant in the courts of general jurisdiction of that state. The summons and complaint in that case shall be addressed to the person required to be served at that person’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or at the place where the person regularly conducts a business or profession.
(3) Upon a domestic or foreign corporation or upon a partnership or other unincorporated association, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the attention of an officer, a managing or general agent, or to any other agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process and, if the agent is one authorized by statute to receive service and the statute so requires, by also mailing a copy to the defendant.
(4) Upon the United States, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint addressed to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States attorney for the district in which the action is brought and by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the Attorney General of the United States at Washington, District of Columbia, and in any action attacking the validity of an order of an officer or an agency of the United States not made a party, by also mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to that officer or agency. The court shall allow a reasonable time for service pursuant to this subdivision for the purpose of curing the failure to mail a copy of the summons and complaint to multiple officers, agencies, or corporations of the United States if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint either to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States attorney or to the Attorney General of the United States.
(5) Upon any officer or agency of the United States, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States as prescribed in paragraph (4) of this subdivision and also to the officer or agency. If the agency is a corporation, the mailing shall be as prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision of this rule. The court shall allow a reasonable time for service pursuant to this subdivision for the purpose of curing the failure to mail a copy of the summons and complaint to multiple officers, agencies, or corporations of the United States if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint either to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States attorney or to the Attorney General of the United States. If the United States trustee is the trustee in the case and service is made upon the United States trustee solely as trustee, service may be made as prescribed in paragraph (10) of this subdivision of this rule.
(6) Upon a state or municipal corporation or other governmental organization thereof subject to suit, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the person or office upon whom process is prescribed to be served by the law of the state in which service is made when an action is brought against such a defendant in the courts of general jurisdiction of that state, or in the absence of the designation of any such person or office by state law, then to the chief executive officer thereof.
(7) Upon a defendant of any class referred to in paragraph (1) or (3) of this subdivision of this rule, it is also sufficient if a copy of the summons and complaint is mailed to the entity upon whom service is prescribed to be served by any statute of the United States or by the law of the state in which service is made when an action is brought against such a defendant in the court of general jurisdiction of that state.
(8) Upon any defendant, it is also sufficient if a copy of the summons and complaint is mailed to an agent of such defendant authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process, at the agent’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or at the place where the agent regularly carries on a business or profession and, if the authorization so requires, by mailing also a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant as provided in this subdivision.
(9) Upon the debtor, after a petition has been filed by or served upon the debtor and until the case is dismissed or closed, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the debtor at the address shown in the petition or to such other address as the debtor may designate in a filed writing.
(10) Upon the United States trustee, when the United States trustee is the trustee in the case and service is made upon the United States trustee solely as trustee, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to an office of the United States trustee or another place designated by the United States trustee in the district where the case under the Code is pending.
(c) Service by Publication. If a party to an adversary proceeding to determine or protect rights in property in the custody of the court cannot be served as provided in Rule 4(e)–(j) F.R.Civ.P. or subdivision (b) of this rule, the court may order the summons and complaint to be served by mailing copies thereof by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the party’s last known address, and by at least one publication in such manner and form as the court may direct.
(d) Nationwide Service of Process. The summons and complaint and all other process except a subpoena may be served anywhere in the United States.
(e) Summons: Time Limit for Service Within the United States. Service made under Rule 4(e), (g), (h)(1), (i), or (j)(2) F.R.Civ.P. shall be by delivery of the summons and complaint within 7 days after the summons is issued. If service is by any authorized form of mail, the summons and complaint shall be deposited in the mail within 7 days after the summons is issued. If a summons is not timely delivered or mailed, another summons will be issued for service. This subdivision does not apply to service in a foreign country.
(f) Personal Jurisdiction. If the exercise of jurisdiction is consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, serving a summons or filing a waiver of service in accordance with this rule or the subdivisions of Rule 4 F.R.Civ.P. made applicable by these rules is effective to establish personal jurisdiction over the person of any defendant with respect to a case under the Code or a civil proceeding arising under the Code, or arising in or related to a case under the Code.
(g) Service on Debtor ’ s Attorney. If the debtor is represented by an attorney, whenever service is made upon the debtor under this Rule, service shall also be made upon the debtor’s attorney by any means authorized under Rule 5(b) F.R.Civ.P.
(h) Service of Process on an Insured Depository Institution. Service on an insured depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) in a contested matter or adversary proceeding shall be made by certified mail addressed to an officer of the institution unless—
(1) the institution has appeared by its attorney, in which case the attorney shall be served by first class mail;
(2) the court orders otherwise after service upon the institution by certified mail of notice of an application to permit service on the institution by first class mail sent to an officer of the institution designated by the institution; or
(3) the institution has waived in writing its entitlement to service by certified mail by designating an officer to receive service.
(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Aug. 1, 1991; Pub. L. 103–394, title I, § 114, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4118; Apr. 23, 1996, eff. Dec. 1, 1996; Apr. 26, 1999, eff. Dec. 1, 1999; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009; Apr. 25, 2014, eff. Dec. 1, 2014.)
added in current removed in current
Compared to current version (2025).
(a) Summons; Service; Proof of Service.
(1)Issuing, Delivering, and Personally Serving a Summons and Complaint.
(1) In General. Except as provided in Rule 7004(a)(2), Rule(2), Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(a), (b), (c)(1), (d)(15), (e)-(j), ( l), and (m) F.R.Civ.P. applies in an adversary proceedings. Personal service under Rule 4(e)-(j) F.R.Civ.P. may be made by any person at least 18 years of age who is not a party, and the summons may be delivered by the clerk to any such person..
(2) Issuing and Delivering a Summons. The clerk may:
(2A) The clerk may sign, seal, and issue athe summons electronically by puttlacing an ‘‘s/’’ before the clerk’s name and incluadding the court’s seal on the summonsto the summons; and
(B) deliver the summons to the person who will serve it.
(b3) Service by First Class MailPersonally Serving a Summons and Complaint. Any person who is at least 18 years old and not a party may personally serve a summons and complaint under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e)-(j).
(b) Service by Mail as an Alternative. Except as provided in subdivision (h), in addition to the methods of service authorized by Rule 4(e)-(j) F.Fed. R. Civ. P., service may be made within the United States 4(e)-(j), a copy of a summons and complaint may be served by first -class mail, postage prepaid as follows, within the United States on:
(1) Upon an individual other thanexcept an infant or an incompetent, person-by mailing a copy of the summons and complaintthe copy to the individual’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or to the place where the individual regularly conducts a business or profession.;
(2) Upon an infant or an incompetent person, -by mailing athe copy of the summons and complaint to the person upon whom process is presc:
(A) to a person who, under the law of the state where service is made, is authoribzed to be served by the law of the state in which service is made when an action is brought against such a defendant in the courts of general jurisdiction of that state. The summons and complaint in that case shall be addressed to the person required to be servedreceive service on behalf of the infant or incompetent person when an action is brought in that state’s courts of general jurisdiction; and
(B) at that person’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or at the place where the person regularly conducts a business or profession.;
(3) Upon a domestic or foreign corporation, or upon a partnership or other unincorporated association, -by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the attention ofthe copy:
(A) to an officer, a managing or general agent, or to any otheran agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process and, if the agent is one authorized by statute; and
(B) also to the defendant if a statute authorizes an agent to receive service and the statute so requires, by also mailing a copy to the defendant.;
(4) Upon the United States, by mailingwith these requirements:
(A) a copy of the summons and complaint addressed tomust be mailed to:
(i) the civil -process clerk at the office ofin the United States attorney for’s office in the district in whichwhere the action is brought and by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint tofiled;
(ii) the Attorney General of the United States atin Washington, District of Columbia, and.C.; and
(iii) in any action attacking the validity of an order of an United States officer or an agency of the United Statethat is not made a party, by also mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to that officer or agency. The court shall allow a reasonable time for service pursuant to this subdivision for the purpose of curing the failure toto that officer or agency; and
(B) if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint to multiple officers, agencies, or corporations of the United States if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint either to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States attorney or to the Attorney General of the United States.a person specified in either (A)(i) or (ii), the court must allow a reasonable time to serve the others that must be served under (A);
(5) Upon any officer or agency of the United States, by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States as prescribed in paragraph (4) of this subdivision and also to the officer or agency. If the agency is a corporation, the mailing shall be as prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision of this rule. The court shall allow a reasonable time for service pursuant to this subdivision for the purpose of curing the failure to mail a copy of the summons and complaint to multiple officers, agencies, or corporations of the United States if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint either to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States attorney or to the Attorney General of the United States. If thewith these requirements:
(A) the summons and complaint must be mailed not only to the officer or the agency-as prescribed in (3) if the agency is a corporation-but also to the United States, as prescribed in (4);
(B) if the plaintiff has mailed a copy of the summons and complaint to a person specified in either (4)(A)(i) or (ii), the court must allow a reasonable time to serve the others that must be served under (A); and
(C) if a United States trustee is the trustee in the case and, service ismay be made upon the United States trustee solely as trustee, service may be made as prescribed in paragraph (10) of this subdivision of this rule.
(6) Uponas prescribed in (10);
(6) a state or municipal corporation or other governmental organization thereof subject to suit, by mailing a copy ofwith these requirements:
(A) the summons and complaint must be mailed to the person or office upon whom process is prescribed to be served bythat, under the law of the state in whichwhere service is made when an action is brought, is authorized to receive service in a case filed against such athat defendant in theat state’s courts of general jurisdiction of that state, or in the absence of the designation of any such person or office by state law, then to the; and
(B) if there is no such authorized person or office, the summons and complaint must be mailed to the defendant’s chief executive officer thereof.
(7) Upon;
(7) a defendant of any class referred to in paragraph (1) orand (3) of this subdivision of this rule, it is also sufficient if a copy of-for whom it also suffices to mail the summons and complaint is mailed to the entity upon whomich service is prescribed to be served by any statute of the United States or bymust be made under a federal statute or under the law of the state in whichwhere service is made when an action is brought against such athat defendant in theat state’s courts of general jurisdiction of that state.
(8) Upon;
(8) any defendant, it-for whom ist also sufficient if a copy ofes to mail the summons and complaint is mailed to an agent of such defendantto the defendant’s agent under these conditions:
(A) the agent is authorized by appointment or by law to receiveaccept service of process, at;
(B) the mail is addressed to the agent’s dwelling house or usual place of abode or at the place where the agent regularly carries ononducts a business or profession; and,
(C) if the agent’s authorization so requires, by mailing also a copy of the summons and complainta copy is also mailed to the defendant as provided in this subdivision. (b);
(9) Upon the debtor, after a petition has been filed by or served upon thea debtor, and until the case is dismissed or closed, -by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the debtor atthe copy to the address shown ion the debtor’s petition or to such other address as the debtor may designatespecifies in a filed writing.;
(10) Upon thea United States trustee, when the United States trusteeo is the trustee in the case and service is made upon the United States trustee solely as trustee, -by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to an office ofaddressing the mail to the United States trustee’s office or another place designated bythat the United States trustee in the district where the case under the Code is pending.
(c) Service by Publicationdesignates within the district.
(c) Service by Publication in an Adversary Proceeding In - volving Property Rights. If a party to an adversary proceeding to determine or protect rights in property in the custody of the court cannot be served as provided in Rule 4(e)-(j) F.ourt’s custody cannot be served under (b) or Fed. R. Civ. P. or subdivision (b) of this rule4(e)-(j), the court may order the summons and complaint to be served by mailing copies thereof by:
(1) first -class mail, postage prepaid, to the party’s last known address,; and by
(2) at least one publication in such manner and forma form and manner as the court may directorders.
(d) Nationwide Service of Process. TheA summons and complaint (and all other process, except a subpoena) may be served anywhere within the United States.
(e) Summons: Time Limit for Service Within the United States. Service made under Rule 4(e), (g), (h)(1), (i), or (j)(2) F.R.Civ.P. shall be by delivery of the summons and complaint within 7 days after the summons is issued. If service is by any authorized form of mail, the summons and complaint shallTime to Serve a Summons and Complaint.
(1) In General. A summons and complaint served by delivery under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e), (g), (h)(1), (i), or (j)(2) must be served within 7 days after the summons is issued. If served by mail, they must be deposited in the mail within 7 days after the summons is issued. If a summons is not timely delivered or mailed, another new summons willmust be issued for service.
(2) Exception. This subdivision (e) does not apply to service in a foreign country.
(f) Establishing Personal Jurisdiction. If the exercise ofing jurisdiction is consistent with the United States Constitution and laws of the United States, serving a summons or filing a waiver of service in accordance withunder this rRule 7004 or the subdiapplicable provisions of Rule 4 F.Fed. R. Civ. P. made applicable by these rules is effective to4 establishes personal jurisdiction over the person of any defendant with respect to a case under the Code ora defendant:
(1) in a bankruptcy case; or
(2) in a civil proceeding arising under the Code, or arising in or related to a case under the Code.
(g) Service onng a Debtor ’ s Attorney. If the, when served, a debtor is represented by an attorney, wthenever service is made upon the debtor under this Rule, service shall also be made upon the debtor’s attorney attorney must also be served by any means authorized under Rule 5(b) F.by Fed. R. Civ.P P. 5(b).
(h) Service of Process on an Insured Depository Institution. Service on an insured depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) in a contested matter or adversary proceeding shall be made by certified mail addressed to an officer of the institution unless-
(1) the institution has appeared by its attorney, in which case the attorney shall be served by first class mail;
(2) the court orders otherwise after service upon the institution by certified mail of notice of an application to permit service on the institution by first class mail sent to an officer of the institution designated by the institution; or
(3) the institution has waived in writing its entitlement to service by certified mail by designating an officer to receive service.
(i) Service of Process by Title. This subdivision (i) applies to service on a domestic or foreign corporation or partnership or other unincorporated association under Rule 7004(b)(3), or on an officer of an insured depository institution under Rule 7004(h). The defendant’s officer or agent need not be correctly named in the address-or even be named-if the envelope is addressed to the defendant’s proper address and directed to the attention of the officer’s or agent’s position or title.
(As amended Mar. 30, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Aug. 1, 1991; Pub. L. 103-394, title I, § 114, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4118; Apr. 23, 1996, eff. Dec. 1, 1996; Apr. 26, 1999, eff. Dec. 1, 1999; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009; Apr. 25, 2014, eff. Dec. 1, 2014; Apr. 26, 2018, eff. Dec. 1, 2018; Apr. 11, 2022, eff. Dec. 1, 2022; Apr. 2, 2024, eff. Dec. 1, 2024.)