Philadelphia Cnty. C.P. Municipal Court-Civil Rule 111

A. Except as provided below, complaints and writs of revival shall be served in the same manner

as original process filed in the Court of Common Pleas and may be served in Philadelphia by writ

servers appointed by the President Judge of the Municipal Court and in counties outside

Philadelphia by said writ servers or by Pennsylvania constables.

B. Landlord/tenant complaints for rent or possession may be served by posting the same upon the

leased premises by an authorized writ server and mailing a copy to the tenant by first class mail.

C.

(1) A complaint may be served by certified mail if defendant’s last known address is a post

office box, or outside the County of Philadelphia, or if a writ server has returned the

complaint without being able to serve the same. The return receipt card for certified mail

shall be marked to show to whom and when delivered and shall show the signature of the

defendant or an agent of the defendant authorized to receive the certified mail of defendant.

If the signature on the return receipt is that of a person other than the defendant, it shall be

presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that the signer was an agent of the defendant

authorized to receive the certified mail of defendant.

(2) If the certified mail is returned with notation by the postal authorities that it was refused or

unclaimed, the plaintiff shall have the right of service by mailing a copy to the defendant at the

same address by first class mail with the return address of sender ap pearing thereon. Service

by ordinary mail is complete if the mail is not returned to sender within 15 days after mailing,

or by the date of trial, whichever is later. Service by certified mail and first class mail may be

made at the same time.

(3) A return of service by mail shall be by affidavit in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 405.

D. Except as provided in Section E below, other filings, except writs of execution, shall be served

promptly upon every other party by

1. leaving or mailing a copy at/to the address endorsed on the last filing of a party or the party’s

attorney of record, but if there is no such endorsement; then,

2. by leaving or mailing a copy at/to the party’s residence, place of business or place of last

service of the complaint or other filing.

E. All petitions filed in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, except in cases captioned “CE,” shall

be served in the same manner as service of an original proces s under subsections (A) and (C) of

this rule.