Who may serve a summons and complaint in Alaska?

A peace officer, or a person specially appointed and licensed by the Commissioner of Public Safety as a civilian process server, may serve a summons and complaint in Alaska; service may also be made by registered or certified mail where a rule provides (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c), 4(h)). A licensed civilian process server must be at least 21 years old under 13 AAC 67. There is no general rule letting any adult non-party friend or relative hand-deliver initial process.

Can a party serve their own summons in Alaska?

Only by mail. The plaintiff may serve the summons and complaint themselves by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(h)). A party cannot personally deliver it; personal or abode service must come from a peace officer or a Department of Public Safety-licensed process server (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c)).

Is ordinary mail enough to serve an Alaska summons?

No. Ordinary first-class mail alone does not serve a summons in Alaska. Process may be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and service is complete only when the return receipt is signed (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(h)). The court's form CIV-106 instructs that certified mail be restricted delivery to the addressee only.

Does an Alaska proof of service need to be notarized?

Yes, if a non-officer served the papers. Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f) requires a person other than a peace officer to make an affidavit. AS 09.63.020 allows an unsworn penalty-of-perjury certification instead only when a notary public or other official empowered to administer oaths is genuinely unavailable, and specific language is required. A peace officer's return needs no affidavit or oath.

How long do I have to serve a summons in Alaska?

A summons must be served within 120 days after the complaint is filed (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(j)). The clerk then reviews the case, and if any defendant is unserved, the plaintiff has 30 more days to show good cause before the court dismisses the action without prejudice as to that defendant.

Is there a deadline to file the proof of service in Alaska?

There is no independent statutory deadline to file the process server's Return of Service; failure to make proof of service does not affect the validity of the service itself. The plaintiff must, however, file form CIV-135, the Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit reporting every defendant's service status, by the 120-day point when the clerk reviews the case (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(j)).

How do I serve later papers like motions in an Alaska case?

Later papers are served on the opposing attorney or self-represented party by delivering a copy, by mailing it to the last known address, or by fax or e-mail if the recipient has consented under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 5.1. Service by mail is complete upon mailing. Proof is a certificate of service stating who was served and the day and manner of service (Alaska R. Civ. P. 5(b), 5(f)).

What happens if service of an Alaska summons is defective?

Defective service can prevent the court from gaining jurisdiction over the defendant, which can void a default judgment later. Follow the manner, timing, and affidavit requirements in Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4 exactly, and never sign a proof of service that misstates how or when service occurred, since it is made under oath or penalty of perjury.

Does this Alaska proof of service cover federal court, service abroad, or a government defendant?

No. Service on the federal government, a foreign country, or under the Hague Service Convention, service on the State of Alaska or a state agency, and service in federal court under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure follow separate rules not covered on this page.

Alaska Proof of Service

Q: Does Alaska have an official proof of service form?

There is no single mandatory statewide proof-of-service form for personal or mail service; a licensed process server's or peace officer's Return of Service satisfies Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f). The plaintiff must still file form CIV-135, the Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit, reporting every defendant's service status, and the court's own version of that form controls if one is required.

Alaska limits service of a summons to a peace officer, a Department of Public Safety-licensed process server at least 21 years old, or registered or certified mail; there is no general rule letting an adult friend or relative hand-deliver it.

Find out where you stand in Alaska

Where are you with service?

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Introduction

Alaska restricts who may serve a summons more than most states. Rule 4(c) allows service only by a peace officer, a civilian process server licensed by the Commissioner of Public Safety under 13 AAC 67 and at least 21, or registered or certified mail. No rule lets an adult friend or relative hand-deliver initial process, though the plaintiff may mail it themselves under Rule 4(h). Alaska has no single mandatory proof form for personal or mail service; a licensed server's or officer's Return of Service satisfies Rule 4(f), but the plaintiff must still file form CIV-135, the Rule 4(f) Affidavit, and the court's own version controls if required. A non-officer's proof must be a notarized affidavit; an officer's return needs no oath. AS 09.63.020 allows an unsworn perjury certification only when a notary is genuinely unavailable. Personal delivery and leaving copies at the dwelling with a suitable resident are the primary methods. Mail service, return receipt requested, is complete when the receipt is signed; ordinary mail alone does not serve a summons. When diligent inquiry fails, service is by posting on the court system's legal notice website. A summons must be served within 120 days; the clerk then reviews the case and gives 30 more days to show cause before dismissing without prejudice. CIV-135 is due at that point. Later papers go to the opposing party by delivery or mail, complete upon mailing, proven by a certificate of service. Federal, foreign, and government service follow separate rules not covered here. Attorney review is available before you file.

Key Things to Know

1
Only a peace officer, a person licensed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety as a process server and at least 21 years old under 13 AAC 67, or registered or certified mail where a rule provides, may serve a summons and complaint; Alaska has no general rule letting any adult non-party serve initial process (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c)). Alaska has no single mandatory proof-of-service form for personal or mail service, but the plaintiff must file form CIV-135, the Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit, and the court's own version of that form controls if one is required.
2
A party to the case cannot personally deliver their own summons and complaint; personal or abode service must come from a peace officer or a DPS-licensed process server. The plaintiff may, however, serve by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, themselves (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c), 4(h)).
3
A non-officer server proves service with a notarized affidavit under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f). A peace officer's return needs no affidavit or oath. An unsworn penalty-of-perjury certification is allowed under AS 09.63.020 only when a notary is genuinely unavailable, and it must state the date and place of execution, that a notary was unavailable, and the exact certification sentence the statute requires.
4
Personal delivery to the individual, or leaving copies at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing there, are the primary methods; Alaska does not require a follow-up mailing after abode service (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(d)).
5
Process may also be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and service is complete when the return receipt is signed. Ordinary first-class mail alone does not serve a summons (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(h)). The court's form CIV-106 instructs that certified mail be restricted delivery to the addressee only.
6
When a diligent-inquiry affidavit shows a party cannot be served by delivery, abode service, or mail, service is instead made by posting on the Alaska Court System's legal notice website, requested using form CIV-145 (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(e)).
7
A summons must be served within 120 days after the complaint is filed. The clerk reviews the case at that point, and if any defendant is unserved, the plaintiff has 30 more days to show good cause before the court dismisses without prejudice as to that defendant; form CIV-135, reporting every defendant's service status, is due at that same 120-day point (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(j)).

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Proof of Service in Alaska, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Proof of Service guide walks through them.

Open the Proof of Service guide

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[COURT NAME] AT [LOCATION], ALASKA

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff, v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER] [DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant.

PROOF OF SERVICE (RETURN OF SERVICE)

Alaska has no single mandatory proof-of-service form for personal, abode, or mail service; a licensed process server's or peace officer's Return of Service satisfies Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f). The plaintiff must still file form CIV-135, Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit, reporting the service status of every defendant within 120 days after the complaint is filed; if the court requires its own version of that form, the court's form controls.

PEACE OFFICER RETURN

[IF APPLICABLE: I, [NAME OF PEACE OFFICER], a peace officer of [AGENCY NAME], served a copy of the Summons and Complaint, together with [LIST OF ADDITIONAL PAPERS SERVED, IF ANY], on [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] by [PERSONAL DELIVERY OR LEAVING COPIES AT THE DWELLING WITH A PERSON OF SUITABLE AGE AND DISCRETION RESIDING THERE] on [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME OF SERVICE], at [ADDRESS OR OTHER PLACE OF SERVICE]. As a peace officer, I make this return without affidavit or oath, as Rule 4(f) provides.]

LICENSED PROCESS SERVER AFFIDAVIT

[IF APPLICABLE: I, [NAME OF SERVER], being first duly sworn, state that I am at least 21 years of age, am not a party to this action, and am licensed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety as a process server under 13 AAC 67, License No. [LICENSE NUMBER]. I served a copy of the Summons and Complaint, together with [LIST OF ADDITIONAL PAPERS SERVED, IF ANY], on [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] by [PERSONAL DELIVERY OR LEAVING COPIES AT THE DWELLING WITH A PERSON OF SUITABLE AGE AND DISCRETION RESIDING THERE] on [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME OF SERVICE], at [ADDRESS OR OTHER PLACE OF SERVICE].]

MAIL SERVICE

[IF APPLICABLE: Service was made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery to the addressee, addressed to [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] at [MAILING ADDRESS], mailed on [DATE MAILED]. The return receipt was signed by [NAME ON RETURN RECEIPT] on [DATE RECEIPT SIGNED], and the signed receipt is attached to this proof. Service is complete as of that date under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(h).]

AFFIDAVIT

[IF APPLICABLE (NON-OFFICER): Subscribed and sworn to before a notary public as Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f) requires.]

[IF APPLICABLE: A notary public or other official empowered to administer oaths was unavailable, so I instead certify under AS 09.63.020: this certification is executed on [DATE OF EXECUTION] at [PLACE OF EXECUTION]; a notary public or other official empowered to administer oaths was unavailable; I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true.]

[SIGNATURE] [NAME OF SERVER] [ADDRESS OF SERVER] [CITY, ALASKA ZIP] License number or agency, if any: [LICENSE OR AGENCY IDENTIFICATION]

NOTARY BLOCK

[IF APPLICABLE: Subscribed and sworn to before me on [DATE], by [NAME OF SERVER]. [NOTARY SIGNATURE] Notary Public for Alaska My commission expires: [COMMISSION EXPIRATION DATE]]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF LATER PAPERS

[IF APPLICABLE: I certify that on [DATE], I served a copy of [NAME OF DOCUMENT] on [NAME OF PARTY OR ATTORNEY OF RECORD] by [DELIVERING A COPY, MAILING IT TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMITTING IT BY FAX OR E-MAIL AS CONSENTED UNDER RULE 5.1] at [ADDRESS, FAX NUMBER, OR E-MAIL ADDRESS]. Service by mail is complete upon mailing, as Rule 5(b) provides.

[SIGNATURE] [NAME]]

Alaska Requirements for Proof of Service

No General Adult Non-Party Service
Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c) limits service of a summons and complaint to a peace officer, a person specially appointed and licensed by the Commissioner of Public Safety as a civilian process server, or registered or certified mail where a rule provides; there is no rule letting any adult non-party friend or relative hand-deliver initial process.
Party May Serve Only by Mail
A party to the case cannot personally deliver their own summons and complaint in Alaska; personal or abode service must come from a peace officer or a Department of Public Safety-licensed process server (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c)). The plaintiff may serve by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(h)).
Process Server Licensing Requires Age 21
A civilian process server must be licensed by the Department of Public Safety under 13 AAC 67 and be at least 21 years old, among other qualifications (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(c); 13 AAC 67).
Registered or Certified Mail Complete on Signed Receipt
Process may be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and service is complete when the return receipt is signed. Ordinary first-class mail alone does not serve a summons (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(h)). Form CIV-106 instructs that certified mail be restricted delivery to the addressee only.
120-Day Service Deadline With Show-Cause Cure
A summons must be served within 120 days after the complaint is filed. If a defendant remains unserved, the clerk notifies the plaintiff, who has 30 more days to show good cause before the court dismisses without prejudice as to that defendant (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(j)).
Notarized Affidavit Required for Non-Officer Service
A person other than a peace officer must make a notarized affidavit of service under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f). AS 09.63.020 allows an unsworn penalty-of-perjury certification instead only when a notary is genuinely unavailable, using specific required language.
CIV-135 Rule 4(f) Affidavit Filing
The plaintiff must file form CIV-135, the Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit, reporting the service status of every defendant, by the 120-day point when the clerk reviews the case; the court's own version of that form controls if one is required.
Posting on the Court's Legal Notice Website
When a diligent-inquiry affidavit shows a party cannot be served by delivery, abode service, or mail, service is instead made by posting on the Alaska Court System's legal notice website, requested using form CIV-145 (Alaska R. Civ. P. 4(e)).
Certificate of Service for Later Papers
Proof of service for papers filed after the complaint is a certificate stating who was served and the day and manner of service, shown by written acknowledgment, a certificate of the serving attorney, or an affidavit (Alaska R. Civ. P. 5(f)).

Find out where you stand in Alaska

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Proof of Service Template with DocDraft

Alaska Requirements for Proof of Service

No General Adult Non-Party Service

Party May Serve Only by Mail

Process Server Licensing Requires Age 21

Registered or Certified Mail Complete on Signed Receipt

120-Day Service Deadline With Show-Cause Cure

Notarized Affidavit Required for Non-Officer Service

CIV-135 Rule 4(f) Affidavit Filing

Posting on the Court's Legal Notice Website

Certificate of Service for Later Papers

Frequently Asked Questions