25 LC 48 1483
House Bill 688
By: Representatives Crawford of the 89
th
, Holcomb of the 101
st
, Oliver of the 84
th
, and
Westbrook of the 163
rd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 5-3-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
manner for service of process, so as to provide for service by certified mail and statutory2
overnight delivery, return receipt requested; to provide for related matters; to repeal3
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Code Section 5-3-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to manner for7
service of process, is amended in subsection (a) by revising paragraph (2), subparagraph8
(a)(4)(C), and paragraphs (5) and (6) as follows:9
"(2) Service of any document shall be made in person, by certified
mail or statutory10
overnight delivery, return receipt requested, or electronically if consent to electronic11
service is given as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section;"12
"(C) Read substantially as follows: 'I do certify that (number of copies) ____ (number13
of copies) of the attached document(s) have been furnished to (name of party served)14
________________ (name of party served) by (delivery, mail, or email)15
________________ (delivery, certified mail, or statutory overnight delivery, return16
H. B. 688
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receipt requested, or email) on (date delivered, mailed, or emailed) __________ (date17
delivered, mailed, or emailed)';"18
"(5) Service of any document may be perfected either before or after filing such service19
with the clerk. If service is made by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return20
receipt requested, it shall be deemed perfected on the day it was deposited in the mail. 21
If service is perfected by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt22
requested, three days shall be added to any deadline required for a response, to allow for23
mailing;24
(6) If the address of any party is unknown and the party is not represented by an attorney25
of record, service may be perfected on the party by certified mail or statutory overnight26
delivery, return receipt requested, directed to the last known address of the party; and"27
SECTION 2.28
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.29
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