Section 24-10.—Service of Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit

The plaintiff or representative must serve the writ and notice of suit separately on each defendant using one of several methods: priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail with return receipt requested or electronic delivery confirmation, a nationally recognized courier service with delivery confirmation, or a proper officer serving it the way a civil writ of summons is served. The plaintiff must include any information the Office of the Chief Court Administrator requires, then file a statement of how service was made, along with the delivery confirmation or return receipt, and the original writ and notice of suit, with the clerk. This return of service must reach the court no later than one month after the date of service.

For a defendant that is an out-of-state business entity, service of the writ, notice, and answer form must follow the General Statutes, and the officer empowered to make service returns it to the court, which the clerk documents. Once the writ and accompanying documents arrive, the clerk sets an answer date, notifies all plaintiffs or their representatives of the docket number and answer date, and sends each defendant an answer form showing the docket number and answer date at the address the plaintiff provided.