This guide outlines the procedures, requirements, and best practices for serving legal documents to a federal agency in the United States.
"Service of process" is the formal delivery Baltimore Process Server of legal documents to notify a party of their involvement in a legal proceeding. For federal agencies, this is not just a courtesy—it's a legal requirement under Rule 4(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP). Improper service can result in dismissal of the case or delay in proceedings, so attention to detail is crucial.
2. Relevant Federal Rules
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide guidance on how to serve the United States government and its agencies, corporations, officers, or employees. The relevant provision is Rule 4(i), which outlines three key steps:
a. Serve the United States Attorney
You must serve the U.S. Attorney for the district where the lawsuit is filed. This can be done by:
Personally delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to the U.S. Attorney or an authorized staff member.
Mailing the documents by registered or certified mail addressed to the civil process clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
b. Serve the Attorney General of the United States
In addition to the local U.S. Attorney, a copy must be sent to the U.S. Attorney General in Washington, D.C. This should be done by registered or certified mail. The mailing address is:
mathematica
Copy
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U.S. Department of Justice
Attorney General
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
c. Serve the Federal Agency