What are the requirements for service by mail in NY?

• A. Certified Mail 2 copies of acknowledgment and prepaid return envelope
• B. First-class mail with return receipt requested
• C. Service by mail is not allowed
• D. Certified mail with acknowledgment within 30 days

Answer: (A)

In New York, service by mail is governed by CPLR 312-a and relies on a notice and acknowledgment of receipt. The person being served must sign and return the acknowledgment form to prove that service occurred. The way this is typically set up is to use certified mail and include two copies of the acknowledgment along with a prepaid return envelope. The signed acknowledgment (returned within about 20 days) becomes the proof of service, and keeping a signed copy helps show the court when service was completed.

That’s why this option is the best choice: it aligns with the NY procedure by using certified mail, providing two copies of the acknowledgment, and including a prepaid return envelope to facilitate the return. The other methods described don’t match the required form or timing—first-class mail with a return receipt is not the standard NY approach, service by mail is allowed, and the 30-day timeframe for returning the acknowledgment is not correct.