When is service on a person deemed complete?

Study for the Arizona Family Law and Paralegal Certification Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complemented by hints and explanations for each question. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Service of process by mail is complete on the date the clerk mails the document to the party at the last known address. This is the moment the method of service becomes effective, regardless of whether the recipient signs for it or actually receives it. Personal delivery, by contrast, completes only when the document is physically handed to the recipient. A recipient’s signature isn’t required for service by mail to be valid, though it can help prove that mailing occurred. Filing the document with the court is a separate step and does not determine when service on the person is complete.