Rule 205.Serving and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers

Part II. Pleadings · Last amended July 1, 2021 · Last verified September 4, 2026

In one sentenceRule 205 covers service and filing of everything after the petition, including service by mail complete on mailing and by electronic means with written consent.

Full Text of Rule 205

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) Responsive Pleading. The responding party in a family law action who has been served with a petition and summons will respond by filing an answer. In the event the responding party does not file an answer, the moving party will have the right to file for a default and receive a default judgment under Rules 301and 302.

(b) Service: When Required.

(1) In General. Unless these rules provide otherwise, each of the following papers in family law actions must be served on every party:

(A) an order stating that service is required;

(B) a pleading filed after the original petition, unless the court otherwise orders because there are numerous respondents;

(D) a written motion, except one that may be heard ex parte; and

(E) a written notice, appearance, demand, or offer of judgment or any similar paper.

(2) If a Party Fails to Appear. No service is required on a party who is in default for failure to appear. But if a pleading asserts a new claim for relief against such party, that pleading must be served on that party under Rule 204.

(3) Service in Civil Protection Order Actions. All petitions, applications, and orders in civil protection order actions must be served in accordance with Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 63.

(1) Serving an Attorney. If a party is represented by an attorney, service under this rule must be made on the attorney unless the court orders service on the party.

(2) Service in General. A paper is served under this rule by:

(A) handing it to the person;

(B) leaving it:

(i) at the person’s office with a clerk or other person in charge or, if no one is in charge, in a conspicuous place in the office; or

(ii) if the person has no office or the office is closed, at the person’s dwelling or usual place of abode with someone over the age of 18 years who resides there;

(D) leaving it with the court clerk if the person has no known address;

(E) sending it by electronic means if the person consented in writing, in which event service is complete upon transmission, but is not effective if the serving party learns that it did not reach the person to be served;

(F) transmitting the copy by a facsimile machine process although this rule does not require a facsimile machine to be maintained in the office of an attorney; or

(G) delivering it by any other means that the person consented to in writing, in which event service is complete when the person making service delivers it to the agency designated to make delivery.

(d) Filing. All papers after the petition required to be served upon a party must be filed with the court either before service or within a reasonable time thereafter filed. If the papers have been filed before service, the filing date will be noted thereon.

(1) Required Filings; Certificate of Service. Any paper after the petition that is required to be served, together with a certificate of service, must be filed within a reasonable time after service.

(2) How Filing Is Made; In General. A paper is filed by delivering it:

(A) to the clerk; or

(B) to a judge who agrees to accept it for filing, and who must then note the filing date on the paper and promptly send it to the clerk.

(3) Filing by Facsimile.

(A) A pleading or document for filing may be sent to the court by facsimile machine if there is a facsimile machine in the office of the filing clerk of the court. Documents may be fax filed if:

(i) no filing fee is required or the county allows the fee to be prepaid by credit card in accordance with the county’s credit card acceptance policy;

(ii) the filing is made during normal business hours or the county allows filings to be received outside normal working hours or on any non-judicial day and file stamped at 9:00 a.m. on the next judicial day;

(iii) the document does not exceed ten pages or the county allows documents of any length to be faxed.

(B) The faxed document must be file stamped and treated as the original, such that the signature, court seal, and notary seal on the faxed document are considered as an original. A document filed by facsimile need not be also mailed to the court.

(C) A facsimile machine process copy of a document that is not transmitted directly to the court by facsimile machine may be filed with the court. The clerk must file stamp the facsimile copy as an original and the signature on the copy constitutes the required signature under Rule 213. There is no limit as to the number of pages.

(e) Proof of Service.

(1) Proof of service must:

(A) be made by a certificate of the attorney or the party making service;

(B) be attached to the copy of the document filed with the court, or if the document is not filed with the court, be filed within a reasonable time after service of the document; and

(2) Failure to make proof of service does not affect the validity of the service.

(f) Service on Attorney-Legislator Suspended During Sessions; Emergency Provisions.

(1) Appearance in Court Not Required. When an attorney is serving as a legislator while the legislature is in general or special session, the attorney is not required to appear at any trial or other proceeding.

(2) Extension of Time for Filing; Statute of Limitation Not Tolled. The time within which the attorney would normally be required to file any pleading or other paper is extended for a period of ten days following adjournment of the session of the legislature. The extension of time does not toll or otherwise extend the running of any limitation period provided by statute.

(3) Emergency Provisions. On a motion supported by affidavit, the court may order, ex parte, that the attorney-legislator appear or make appropriate arrangements for another attorney to represent the attorney-legislator’s clients in the matter if the court finds that:

(A) an emergency exists;

(B) the party will be unduly prejudiced; or

The order must be served on the attorney-legislator by certified mail addressed to the attorney at the legislature.

End

Rule History

(Adopted March 29, 2021, effective July 1, 2021.)

Plain-English Summary

Rule 204 delivers the petition. Rule 205 handles everything that follows.

The answer, and what happens without one

A responding party served with a petition and summons responds by filing an answer. If none is filed, the moving party may take a default and default judgment under Rules 301 and 302.

What must be served

Orders stating that service is required; pleadings after the original petition; discovery papers required to be served; written motions except those heard ex parte; and written notices, appearances, demands, offers of judgment and similar papers.

No service is required on a party in default for failure to appear — but if a pleading asserts a new claim for relief against that party, it must be served under Rule 204, that is, as original process. Civil protection order filings are served under Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 63.

How

On the attorney if a party is represented, unless the court orders service on the party. Then seven methods: handing it over; leaving it at the office with a person in charge or in a conspicuous place, or at the dwelling with a resident over 18; mailing to the last known address, complete upon mailing; leaving it with the court clerk if the person has no known address; electronic means if the person consented in writing, complete on transmission but not effective if the sender learns it did not arrive; facsimile; or any other means consented to in writing.

Two of those deserve emphasis. Mail is complete when sent, not when received — so the mailing date starts the clock and Rule 104(c) then adds three days. Electronic service requires written consent and carries a knowledge exception no other method has.

Filing

Papers required to be served must be filed before service or within a reasonable time after, with a certificate of service. Filing is by delivery to the clerk, or to a judge who agrees to accept it and then notes the date and sends it on.

Fax filing is permitted where the clerk's office has a machine and three conditions hold — no fee is required or the county takes credit card prepayment, the filing is in business hours or the county allows otherwise, and the document is ten pages or fewer or the county allows any length. A faxed document is treated as the original, signatures and seals included, and need not also be mailed.

Proof, and the attorney-legislator

Proof of service is by certificate of the attorney or the party serving, attached to the filed copy or filed within a reasonable time, stating date, manner, and the name and address of the person served. Failure to make proof does not affect the validity of the service.

Section (f) suspends obligations for an attorney serving in the legislature while it is in session: no required court appearance, and filing deadlines extended ten days after adjournment — though statutes of limitation are not tolled. On a motion supported by affidavit the court may order ex parte that the attorney-legislator appear or arrange substitute counsel where an emergency exists, a party would be unduly prejudiced, or irreparable damage would accrue.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is service by mail complete?

Upon mailing. Rule 205(c)(2)(C) makes service complete when the paper is mailed to the person's last known address, and Rule 104(c) then adds 3 days to any period that runs from service.

Can I serve documents by email?

Only with written consent. Rule 205(c)(2)(E) allows electronic service if the person consented in writing, complete upon transmission, but not effective if the serving party learns it did not reach the person to be served.

Do I have to serve someone who never appeared?

Generally no. Rule 205(b)(2) requires no service on a party in default for failure to appear, but a pleading asserting a new claim for relief against that party must be served under Rule 204.

Can I fax a filing to the court?

Rule 205(d)(3) allows it where the clerk's office has a facsimile machine and no filing fee is required or the county allows card prepayment, the filing is within business hours or the county allows otherwise, and the document does not exceed ten pages or the county allows any length.

Does failing to file proof of service undo the service?

No. Rule 205(e)(2) provides that failure to make proof of service does not affect the validity of the service.

What happens when opposing counsel is a legislator in session?

Rule 205(f) excuses the attorney from appearing and extends filing deadlines for ten days after adjournment, without tolling any statute of limitations, subject to the court's emergency power to order an appearance or substitute counsel.

Source & verification. Rule text and Rule History reproduced verbatim from the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure as published by the Idaho Supreme Court, current through amendments effective July 1, 2026. Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Idaho (Idaho Const. art. V, sec. 25). Last verified September 4, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: servicefilingcomplete upon mailingelectronic servicefax filingcertificate of serviceproof of serviceattorney legislator