FAILURE TO FILE AFFIDAVITS OF SERVICE WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WITHIN 20 DAYS IS NOT A JURISDICTIONAL DEFECT; SERVICE IS DEEMED COMPLETE 10 DAYS AFTER FILING A MOTION FOR A DEFAULT JUDGMENT WITH THE AFFIDAVITS OF SERVICE (FIRST DEPT).
The First Department noted that the “nail and mail” service of process was valid and the failure to file affidavits of service within 20 days was not a jurisdictional defect:
… [E]ach affidavit of service states that the process servers made three separate attempts at serving the individual defendants at various dates and times before resorting to “nail and mail” service (CPLR 308(4) …). Plaintiffs’ failure to file affidavits of service with the clerk of the court within 20 days of service is a “mere irregularity” rather than a jurisdictional defect and does not render the service of process a “nullity” … . In any event, service was deemed complete 10 days after plaintiffs filed their initial motion for default judgment with the affidavits of service … . General Ins. v Leandre, 2024 NY Slip Op 00598, First Dept 2-6-24
Practice Point: The “nail and mail” service was valid despite the failure to fine affidavits of service with the clerk of the court within 20 days of service.
Practice Point: Here service was deemed complete ten days after the motion for a default judgment was filed with the affidavits of service.