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New YorkS 81752025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Allows certain methods for service of process

Sponsored By: Luis R. Sepúlveda (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

JUDICIARY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More mail options for court papers

The law took effect immediately. In New York Surrogate's Court cases, registered, certified, or special mail can serve court papers inside or outside New York. A return receipt does not have to be requested. Regular, registered, or certified mail service is complete upon mailing. Special mail service is complete when the Postal Service or designated delivery service receives the papers.

Advance notice deadlines for court citations

New York Surrogate's Court citations must be served before the listed date to appear, called the return day. Personal delivery within New York requires at least 10 days' notice. Other service methods within the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or U.S. possessions or territories require 20 days. All other cases require 30 days, including cases where the New York Attorney General's office is a party.

More court notice options with safeguards

New York Surrogate's Courts can order alternative service when personal delivery or mail cannot reasonably work, and can combine methods. For individuals domiciled in New York, diligent efforts must show those methods cannot work, or good cause must show impracticality; the law preserves a separate exception in subdivision 6. Electronic service must put the case caption in the subject line and is complete when sent. Alternatives also include newspaper publication, substituted service, and delivery to a designated recipient or someone likely to pass along notice. Publication follows existing court rules, including special rules for one-newspaper notices, wartime or unavailable postal service, and publication near an absent or deceased person's last known location. Adoption and specified social services cases need only one publication; publication service is complete on day 28 after the first publication. Substituted service is complete after the last required delivery, posting, or mailing step; service on designated recipients is complete upon delivery. Consular service is available for noncitizens living outside New York when their interest is under $2,500, their address is unknown, or the estate's gross assets are under $25,000.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Luis R. Sepúlveda

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Robert Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 2

House vote • 6/16/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 143 • No: 1

Senate vote • 6/9/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 61 • No: 1

committee vote • 5/28/2025

Judiciary Committee Vote

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.563

    11/21/2025Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    11/17/2025Senate

  3. RETURNED TO SENATE

    6/16/2025House

  4. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    6/16/2025House

  5. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.830

    6/16/2025House

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR A8408

    6/16/2025House

  7. REFERRED TO JUDICIARY

    6/9/2025House

  8. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    6/9/2025Senate

  9. PASSED SENATE

    6/9/2025Senate

  10. ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    6/4/2025Senate

  11. 2ND REPORT CAL.

    5/29/2025Senate

  12. 1ST REPORT CAL.1423

    5/28/2025Senate

  13. REFERRED TO JUDICIARY

    5/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Original

    5/19/2025

    PDF

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