Is it legal to “serve” someone you don’t even know?
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Is it legal to “serve” someone you don’t even know?
Asked on August 30, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Oklahoma
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If the question is, can you sue somone you do not personally know, then the answer is "yes"--all that matters is the person did something giving rise to a legal cause of action, such as by violating a contract, service agreement, or agreement of sale, damaging your property, defaming you, etc.
If the question is can someone legally serve a summons and complaint without knowing them personally, and will that service be good--then the question is also yes. Service is constantly made by people who do not know the person(s) being served personally. They simply need to be reasonably certain (such as based on address, name, etc.) that they served the right person(s) and also need to get a phsyical description so they can describe them later, if there is a question.
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