Who can serve process within New York and outside New York?

• A. Within NY: Any non-party aged 18+; Outside NY: Any NY resident 18+, or someone authorized to serve process in that jurisdiction.
• B. Within NY: Only sheriffs; Outside NY: Only attorneys.
• C. Within NY: Only parties; Outside NY: Any adult.
• D. Within NY: Bailiffs; Outside NY: Process servers.

Answer: (A)

The rule tested is who is allowed to serve process, and it distinguishes between serving inside New York and outside New York. Within the state, service can be performed by any non-party who is at least 18 years old, ensuring a neutral, capable person handles the task. When service is outside New York, the person doing the serving must be someone authorized to serve process in the jurisdiction where service occurs; in practice, that often means a local process server or officer of that jurisdiction. New York also recognizes that an New York resident 18 or older can serve outside the state, as long as the outsider is acting in accordance with the foreign jurisdiction’s rules.

So the best answer reflects that internal service is open to any non-party 18+, while external service must be conducted by someone authorized in the place of service (or by an NY resident who can lawfully serve there).