What type of service requires obtaining a recipient's signature?

The requirement for obtaining a recipient's signature is associated with mail service. In many legal contexts, particularly in New York, mail service involves sending legal documents to a party via certified mail, return receipt requested. This method ensures that the sender has proof of delivery, which is evidenced by the recipient's signature upon receipt of the documents.

This signature serves as verification that the documents were indeed received by the intended recipient, fulfilling the necessary legal requirement for notice. Therefore, the practice of requiring a signature provides a clear record of service, important in legal processes to establish that the parties involved have been properly notified.

Other methods of service, such as personal service or substituted service, do not typically require a signature; personal service involves delivering the documents directly to the recipient, whereas substituted service involves delivering them to an alternative location or person but does not necessitate a signature for confirmation. Distribution service also usually does not involve obtaining a signature.