What distinguishes personal service from mail service?

Personal service is defined by the direct delivery of legal documents to the individual being served, ensuring they receive the documents in person. This method allows the server to confirm that the intended recipient is aware of the action being taken against them—essential for due process. On the other hand, mail service involves sending documents through a postal service, which does not guarantee that the recipient will receive the documents or acknowledge them.

The distinction is crucial in legal contexts, as personal service typically fulfills the requirement of notifying a party of legal actions or proceedings in a manner that is verifiably direct, while mail service may lack the same assurance of receipt and awareness. In legal scenarios, this difference can impact the validity of service and the subsequent ability to pursue a case in court.