Rule 8:4.Service of Process - Motion to Reduce Support Arrearages to Judgment.

A motion to enter judgment for support arrearages under Code § 16.1-278.18 has to reach the respondent, and this rule gives two routes. The first is the ordinary service machinery of Code §§ 8.01-296, 8.01-327 and 8.01-329. The second is a combination the rule permits in the alternative: certified mail, return receipt requested, together with first class mail.

The second half addresses the party who cannot be found. On a sufficient showing that a diligent effort was made to ascertain a party’s location, that party may be served with any required notice by delivering the written notice to the residential or business address on file with the court under Code § 20-60.3 or with the Department of Social Services — or, if that address has changed, the one shown in the Department’s records.

The structure rewards keeping an address current and prevents an arrearage motion from stalling because a respondent has moved without telling anyone. The showing of diligence is what unlocks it; the rule does not allow address-of-record service as a first resort.