NC H881

In counties with 250,000 or more residents, plaintiffs in eviction actions may elect to have the clerk return the summons to them or forward it to the sheriff for service.

Defines "process server" as any person over 21 years old who is not a party to the action, not related by blood or marriage to any party, and hired by the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney to serve eviction documents.

Private process servers in qualifying counties may serve defendants by mailing summons and complaint to the defendant's last known address within one business day, then affixing copies to the premises and filing an affidavit of service.

Effective October 1, 2019, and applies to eviction actions filed on or after that date.