Acceptance of service is a written acknowledgment that a party voluntarily received family law documents without requiring formal personal service through a process server or sheriff’s deputy’s deputy’s deputy. When a respondent signs an acceptance of service they are confirming receipt of the petition and summons and agreeing that service is complete as of the date of signing.

Acceptance of service starts the response deadline clock just as personal service does. Twenty days in Arizona, thirty days if the respondent is outside the state. The date signed matters and it must be filed with the court.

Acceptance of service is simpler and less expensive than process server service. It is appropriate when the other party is cooperative or when an attorney accepts service on behalf of their client. It is not appropriate when the relationship is adversarial or when there is any question about whether the other party will actually cooperate.