What steps are taken when service cannot be completed due to address issues?

• A. Abandon the service and stop pursuing it.
• B. Attempt service at a different jurisdiction.
• C. Notify the court but take no further action.
• D. Use approved skip tracing or official records, follow policy for unresolved service, and document.

Answer: (D)

When service can’t be completed because the address is wrong or unreachable, the right approach is to locate the correct address using approved methods, then act according to policy and document everything. Use approved skip tracing or official records to verify current address or find a plausible alternative contact point, such as a work address or a relative, and confirm it before retrying. After you’ve identified a valid location, attempt service again in line with agency rules. If it remains unresolved, you must document all attempts and outcomes and follow the prescribed next steps for unresolved service. This ensures you maintain a complete, defensible service record and continue to pursue service in a lawful, authorized manner. Abandoning the effort, trying service in a different jurisdiction without authorization, or stopping after notifying the court without further action would skip essential steps and undermine the process.