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New YorkS 81752025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Allows certain methods for service of process

Sponsored By: Luis R. Sepúlveda (Democratic)

Became Law

JUDICIARY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clear rules for when service counts

The law sets when service counts as complete. If the court orders electronic service, it is complete when you send it. For regular, registered, or certified mail, service is complete when you mail it; for express mail, when USPS gets the envelope; and for other special carriers, when that carrier receives it. For substituted service, it is complete at the later of delivery or affixing and mailing; for personal delivery to a person the respondent named or the court chose (including a consular official), it is complete on delivery. Service by publication is complete on the 28th day after the first notice runs.

Minimum days to serve citations

You must serve a citation at least 10 days before the return day if you personally deliver it inside New York. Use at least 20 days if you serve within the United States (including DC, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories) by a method other than personal delivery. Use at least 30 days in all other cases, and whenever the Attorney General is a party.

More ways to serve papers in Surrogate's Court

The law expands how you can serve papers in Surrogate’s Court. You can use registered, certified, or special mail inside or outside New York, and no return receipt is required. The court can also order service by electronic means, with the case caption in the subject line. Service by publication can be in one newspaper; in adoptions and cases under Social Services Law §382, one notice is enough, and for absentees or those alleged deceased, the court may require a notice near the last known location. For some non‑domiciliary noncitizens, you can deliver papers to a consular official if the interest is under $2,500, the address is unknown, or the estate’s gross assets are under $25,000. If the person is in a country at war with the U.S. or without U.S. mail, the court may direct mailing to the officer who holds property of noncitizen enemies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Luis R. Sepúlveda

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Robert Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 78 • 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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