Minn. R. Civ. P. 4.03 (2026)
Personal Service
Service of summons within the state shall be as follows:
(a) Upon an Individual. Upon an individual by delivering a copy to the individual personally or by leaving a copy at the individual's usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein.
If the individual has, pursuant to statute, consented to any other method of service or appointed an agent to receive service of summons, or if a statute designates a state official to receive service of summons, service may be made in the manner provided by such statute.
If the individual is confined to a state institution, by serving also the chief executive officer at the institution.
If the individual is a judicial officer or employee of the Minnesota judicial branch, and the complaint is related to the individual's office, employment, or agency, service may be made by delivering a copy to: (1) the court administrator of the district court or their designee, for district court judges and employees; or (2) the Clerk of the Appellate Courts or their designee, for Court of Appeals judges and employees, Supreme Court Justices and employees, and the State Court Administrator and the administrator's employees.
If the individual is an infant under the age of 14 years, by serving also the individual's father or mother, and if neither is within the state, then a resident guardian if the infant has one known to the plaintiff, and if the infant has none, then the person having control of such defendant, or with whom the infant resides, or by whom the infant is employed.
(b) Upon Partnerships and Associations. Upon a partnership or association which is subject to suit under a common name, by delivering a copy to a member or the managing agent of the partnership or association. If the partnership or association has, pursuant to statute, consented to any other method of service or appointed an agent to receive service of summons, or if a statute designates a state official to receive service of summons, service may be made in the manner provided by such statute.
(c) Upon a Corporation. Upon a domestic or foreign corporation, by delivering a copy to an officer or managing agent, or to any other agent authorized expressly or impliedly or designated by statute to receive service of summons, and if the agent is one authorized or designated under statute to receive service any statutory provision for the manner of such service shall be complied with. In the case of a transportation or express corporation, the summons may be served by delivering a copy to any ticket, freight, or soliciting agent found in the county in which the action is brought, and if such corporation is a foreign corporation and has no such agent in the county in which the plaintiff elects to bring the action, then upon any such agent of the corporation within the state.
(d) Upon the State. Upon the state by delivering a copy to the attorney general, a deputy attorney general or an assistant attorney general.
(e) Upon Public Corporation. Upon a municipal or other public corporation by delivering a copy
(1) To the county attorney or chair of the county board of a defendant county;
(2) To the chief executive officer or to the clerk of a defendant city, village or borough, or, if the entity lacks such officer or clerk, to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name;
(3) To the chair of the town board or to the clerk of a defendant town, or, if the town lacks such chair or clerk, to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name;
(4) To the chair of the board or other governing body of a defendant school district, or, if the school district lacks such chair, clerk, treasurer, or superintendent, to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name; or
(5) To any member of the board or other governing body of a defendant public board or public body not enumerated above.
If service cannot be made as provided in this Rule 4.03(e), the court may direct the manner of such service.
(Amended effective January 1, 2024; amended effective January 1, 2025.)
Advisory Committee Comment - 2025 Amendment
Rule 4.03(e)(1) is amended in 2025 to remove the county auditor as a service recipient and to add the county attorney instead. County attorney offices may authorize front desk personnel or others to accept service of process. Counties and county attorney offices are encouraged to include information on their websites regarding how individuals can properly effectuate service.
Rule 4.03(e)(2) is amended in 2025 to add that if the defendant city, village or borough lacks a chief executive officer or clerk, service may be effected by delivering a copy to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name.
Rule 4.03(e)(3) is amended in 2025 to add that if the defendant town lacks a board chair or clerk, service may be effected by delivering a copy to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name.
Rule 4.03(e)(4) is amended in 2025 to remove language allowing service on any member of the board or other governing body, and to add the chair of the board or other governing body as a service recipient. The rule is further amended to add that if the defendant school district lacks such a chair or lacks a clerk, treasurer, or superintendent, service may be effected by delivering a copy to an officer performing a corresponding function under another name.
Advisory Committee Comments - 2023 Amendment
Rule 4.03(a) is amended to permit judges, justices, and court staff to be served at their office, if the complaint is related to the individual's office, employment, or agency. The purpose of the rule change is to minimize service of judicial branch personnel at their home, and corresponding security concerns, by establishing an alternative means of service.