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Michigan service under MCR. Personal, substituted, corporate defendants. UIDDA at MCL § 600.2201 et seq. Publication, timing, return of service.
Michigan has a well-defined service-of-process framework governed by the Michigan Court Rules (MCR), with statewide flexibility around who may serve and relatively straightforward corporate service through LARA. This guide breaks down how to complete valid service in Michigan—personal, substituted, corporate, out-of-state, and by publication—so that your proof of service holds up on first review.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Michigan service of process rules are found in Michigan Court Rules 2.102 through 2.107, with UIDDA codified at MCL § 600.2201 et seq. (effective September 23, 2014).. For service of process nationwide, Served 123 LLC handles Michigan and all 49 other states with qualified servers.
Under MCR 2.103(A), any legally competent adult who is not a party to the action may serve process anywhere in Michigan. There is no statewide licensing or registration scheme for private process servers, though courts expect servers to be professional, accurate, and willing to testify to their affidavits if challenged. Sheriffs and court officers may also serve.
Personal (in-hand) service is the gold standard. Under MCR 2.105(A)(1), the server hands the summons and complaint directly to the named defendant. If the defendant refuses to take the papers, the server may leave them in the defendant's immediate presence after identifying the documents—refusal does not defeat service. The server then completes a proof of service under oath detailing the date, time, place, and manner of delivery.
If personal service is not practical, MCR 2.105(A)(2) permits substituted service by sending the summons and complaint by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and delivery restricted to the addressee. A copy of the return receipt signed by the defendant must be attached to the proof of service. Courts may also, on motion showing that service cannot reasonably be made under MCR 2.105(A), order an alternate method under MCR 2.105(I)—typically posting at the dwelling plus mailing, or leaving at the residence with a household member and mailing.
Michigan permits service on individuals by registered or certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt, under MCR 2.105(A)(2). The addressee's signature on the green card is what completes service. If the receipt comes back unsigned or signed by someone else, service is not effective under that method and the plaintiff must pivot to personal service or seek alternate service under MCR 2.105(I).
Under MCR 2.105(D), a domestic or foreign corporation is served by delivering a summons and complaint to an officer or resident agent, or by sending the papers by registered mail addressed to the corporation or an officer at the registered office. Registered agents and office addresses are public record through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Corporations Division at cofs.lara.state.mi.us. For partnerships and LLCs, MCR 2.105(C) and (E) apply, with service on a general partner, member, or manager, or by registered mail to the business office.
When an attorney in another state needs discovery from a Michigan witness, the Michigan UIDDA at MCL § 600.2201 et seq. makes the process routine. Present the foreign subpoena to the clerk of the Michigan circuit court in the county where discovery is sought; the clerk issues a Michigan subpoena incorporating the foreign terms. The reissued Michigan subpoena must then be served under MCR 2.105 and is enforceable by Michigan contempt powers. No separate commission or miscellaneous action is required.
Where a defendant cannot be found after diligent inquiry, MCR 2.106 allows service by publication or posting on court order. The moving party files a motion supported by an affidavit describing the diligent efforts made to locate the defendant. If granted, notice is published once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper in the county, and a copy is mailed to the defendant's last known address. In some cases the court may instead order posting at the courthouse and mailing.
Michigan's UIDDA adoption at MCL § 600.2201 et seq. (Public Act 287 of 2014, effective September 23, 2014) aligns Michigan with the nationwide framework for interstate subpoenas. Out-of-state counsel tenders the foreign subpoena to the clerk in the appropriate Michigan circuit court, and the clerk issues a conforming Michigan subpoena. Objections and motions to quash are heard under Michigan procedure and by a Michigan judge, but the substantive discovery scope is set by the issuing state. Compliance is then measured against Michigan's standards for service and enforcement.
Michigan summonses expire 91 days after issuance under MCR 2.102(D), though the court may extend the summons on motion showing diligent efforts to serve (extensions up to a total of one year from filing under MCR 2.102(D)(2)). Failure to serve within the summons period ordinarily results in dismissal without prejudice under MCR 2.102(E). Track the expiration date on every file and seek extension before the deadline passes.
Proof of service is filed with the court and must state the date, time, and place of service, identify the papers served, describe the manner of service, and be signed under oath by the server. For mail service, the signed return receipt is attached. For alternate service under MCR 2.105(I), the order and proof that each step of the ordered method was completed must be filed. Sloppy or conclusory affidavits invite motions to quash—include specifics.
LARA Corporations Division at cofs.lara.state.mi.us for registered agents; the Michigan One Court of Justice portal at courts.michigan.gov for court information and forms; county circuit and district court websites for local filing and fees; and the Michigan Secretary of State for driver and vehicle lookups that support skip-tracing in the locate phase.
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No. Michigan, like every other state, prohibits parties from serving their own process. The server must be an adult non-party or an authorized officer/licensed server per Michigan rules.
Michigan summonses expire 91 days after issuance under MCR 2.102(D). If service is not completed within that window, move for an extension before the deadline—extensions are available in the court's discretion up to a total of one year from filing. Missing the deadline typically results in dismissal without prejudice, which means refiling and paying another filing fee.
Yes. Under MCR 2.105(A)(2), a plaintiff may serve an individual by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with delivery restricted to the addressee. The return receipt signed by the addressee is what completes service and must be filed with the proof of service. If the receipt comes back unsigned or signed by a family member, mail service has not been perfected and another method is required.
Serve the corporation's resident agent or an officer, either personally or by registered mail to the registered office, under MCR 2.105(D). Registered agents and office addresses are public record through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) at cofs.lara.state.mi.us. Always verify the agent of record the same day you plan to serve—agent changes are common after litigation is filed.
Michigan follows the majority refused-acceptance rule. The server may place the papers in the defendant's immediate presence after identifying the nature of the documents. Service is valid despite refusal.
Michigan adopted UIDDA at MCL § 600.2201 et seq., effective September 23, 2014. Tender the foreign subpoena to the clerk of the circuit court in the Michigan county where discovery is sought; the clerk issues a conforming Michigan subpoena that is then served under MCR 2.105. No commission or miscellaneous action is required. Motions to quash are heard by the Michigan court, while the substantive discovery scope is governed by the issuing state's rules.
Start with a skip trace, then move for service by publication on a court order supported by an affidavit documenting diligent inquiry. three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the action is pending.
