Rule 3-125.Process — Service on Sundays and holidays

District Court · Last amended January 1, 1997 · Last verified July 13, 2026

In one sentenceRule 3-125 allows process to be served on a Sunday or holiday, except that writs of distraint, eviction, or possession may not be served on Sunday.

Full Text of Rule 3-125

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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.

Amendment History

Amended Dec. 10, 1996, effective Jan. 1, 1997.

Committee Note & Source

Source. This Rule is derived from former M.D.R. 104 c and Code, Courts Article, § 6-302.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 3-125 is short and settles a question that could otherwise stall a case: does the calendar matter when serving process? The answer is mostly no — process may be served on a Sunday or a holiday like any other day. The one exception protects people from being evicted or having property seized on a Sunday specifically: a writ of distraint (property seizure) or a writ for eviction or possession may not be served that day, even though it can be served on other holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a summons be served on a Sunday in Maryland District Court?

Yes. Rule 3-125 permits service of process on a Sunday or holiday, with one exception for certain property-related writs.

What can't be served on a Sunday?

A writ of distraint or a writ for eviction or possession may not be served on Sunday, even though other process can be.

Can process be served on a holiday other than Sunday?

Yes. The rule's only restriction applies to Sunday for writs of distraint, eviction, or possession. Other holidays don't limit service, and other types of process aren't restricted on Sunday either.

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: serving process on Sundayholiday service of processwrit of distraint Sundayeviction writ service timing