Process may be served on a Sunday or holiday, except that a writ of distraint or for eviction or possession shall not be served on Sunday.
Rule 2-125.Process — Service on Sundays and holidays
Circuit Court · Last amended January 1, 1997 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceAllows court papers to be served on a Sunday or holiday, except for writs of distraint, eviction, or possession, which cannot be served on a Sunday.
Full Text of Rule 2-125
Amendment History
Amended Dec. 10, 1996, effective Jan. 1, 1997.
Committee Note & Source
Source. This Rule is derived from former Rule 104 c and Code, Courts Article, § 6-302.
Plain-English Summary
Maryland doesn't stop the clock on service just because the calendar lands on a weekend or holiday. This rule allows process to be served on a Sunday or a holiday like any other day — useful when a deadline is tight and waiting for the next business day isn't an option.
There's one carve-out. Writs of distraint, and writs for eviction or possession, cannot be served on a Sunday. Those are the writs that put someone out of their home or seize their property, and Maryland treats a Sunday delivery of that kind of paper differently from an ordinary summons or subpoena.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a defendant be served with a lawsuit on a Saturday or Sunday in Maryland?
Yes. This rule permits service on a Sunday or a holiday for ordinary process.
What can't be served on a Sunday?
A writ of distraint, or a writ for eviction or possession. Those specific writs are off-limits for Sunday service even though other process is not.
Does the Sunday restriction apply to holidays too?
No. The rule's exception is limited to Sundays. Distraint, eviction, and possession writs may still be served on a holiday that falls on another day of the week.
Why does this rule single out eviction and possession writs?
Those writs remove someone from property, which is a more disruptive act than delivering a summons or notice. Maryland restricts when that kind of writ can be carried out.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: service of process on sunday marylandcan you serve papers on a holiday marylandeviction writ sunday serviceweekend service of process rules maryland