Service of Process

If you need to serve the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General with original process or other legal papers, please review the appropriate federal or state rules of procedure as well as 42 Pa. C.S. § 8523 and 37 Pa. Code § 111.1. The Office is permitted to identify how service should be effectuated if permitted by the rules applicable to the underlying case. Please note that pursuant to Pa. Rule of Civil Procedure No. 422 (Serving the Commonwealth) and Rule Pa. Rule of Appellate Procedure No. 1514 (Judicial Review of Governmental Determinations), service of original process must be made to the appropriate government agency and separately to the Office of Attorney General.

The Office of Attorney General cannot accept service on behalf of a separate governmental agency.

A. Personal Service or Hand-Delivery
In cases that are not brought pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8501—8564 (relating to matters affecting government units), if the applicable rules require personal service or hand-delivery of original process to a named Office of Attorney General employee or to the Office of Attorney General, service can be made to the Office of Attorney General, Civil Litigation Section, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, Pa 17120. A member of the Office of Attorney General is available Monday through Friday from 9:00-3:30 to accept service. You may call 717-787-3391 to request someone to come to the lobby to complete service.

B. Service by Certified Mail
Petitions for Review of Governmental Determinations filed in the Commonwealth Court are permitted to be served by certified mail. Please send a cover letter with the operative materials to: Office of Attorney General, Civil Litigation Section, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, Pa 17120.

C. Waivers or Acceptance of Service
In cases where the federal or state rules permit a named defendant to waive or accept service, parties can send a cover letter with the required materials, such as the complaint, waivers, or an acceptance of service form, to: Office of Attorney, Civil Litigation Section, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, Pa 17120 or via email at:
oag-civilservice@attorneygeneral.gov.

D. Constitutional Challenge Notices
In federal or state cases in which a party draws in question the constitutionality of any state statute and notice to the Attorney General is required, parties can send written notice with a copy of the motion or other necessary portion of the record to: Office of Attorney, Civil Litigation Section, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, Pa 17120 or via email at:
oag-civilservice@attorneygeneral.gov.