Certificate of Service

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

State of Michigan — Circuit Court / District Court / Probate Court

COURT INFORMATION

Court Name: [________________________________] Court
County: [________________________________] County
Case Number: [____________________________]

CASE CAPTION

[________________________________]
Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________]
Defendant(s).

PART I: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, [________________________________], hereby certify that on [__/__/____], I served a true and correct copy of the following document(s) on all parties or their attorneys of record in this action, in the manner set forth below:

Document(s) Served

☐ Complaint and Summons
☐ Answer to Complaint
☐ Motion to Dismiss (MCR 2.116)
☐ Motion for Summary Disposition (MCR 2.116)
☐ Response/Opposition to Motion
☐ Reply Brief
☐ Amended Complaint
☐ Counterclaim / Cross-Claim
☐ Third-Party Complaint
☐ Interrogatories (MCR 2.309)
☐ Requests for Production of Documents (MCR 2.310)
☐ Requests for Admission (MCR 2.312)
☐ Discovery Responses
☐ Notice of Taking Deposition
☐ Subpoena
☐ Proposed Order / Judgment
☐ Notice of Hearing
☐ Exhibit(s): [________________________________]
☐ Stipulation
☐ Other: [________________________________]

PART II: PARTIES SERVED

Party / Attorney 1

Name: [________________________________]
Role in Case: ☐ Attorney for Plaintiff ☐ Attorney for Defendant ☐ Self-Represented Party ☐ Other: [____________]
Firm Name (if applicable): [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Email Address: [________________________________]
Fax Number: [________________________________]
Michigan P-Number (if attorney): P-[____]

Party / Attorney 2

Name: [________________________________]
Role in Case: ☐ Attorney for Plaintiff ☐ Attorney for Defendant ☐ Self-Represented Party ☐ Other: [____________]
Firm Name (if applicable): [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Email Address: [________________________________]
Fax Number: [________________________________]
Michigan P-Number (if attorney): P-[____]

Party / Attorney 3

Name: [________________________________]
Role in Case: ☐ Attorney for Plaintiff ☐ Attorney for Defendant ☐ Self-Represented Party ☐ Other: [____________]
Firm Name (if applicable): [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Email Address: [________________________________]
Fax Number: [________________________________]
Michigan P-Number (if attorney): P-[____]

(Attach additional sheet for more parties.)

PART III: METHOD OF SERVICE

Check ALL methods used and complete the applicable declaration sections below.

A. Personal Delivery / Hand Delivery (MCR 2.107(C)(1))

☐ Personal Delivery — I personally delivered a copy of the above document(s) to the party or the party's attorney by:

☐ Delivering to the attorney or party in person
☐ Leaving a copy at the attorney's office with the attorney's clerk, receptionist, or secretary

Name of Person Who Accepted: [________________________________]
Relationship (clerk/attorney/party): [________________________________]
Location of Delivery: [________________________________]
Date of Delivery: [__/__/____]
Time of Delivery: [____] ☐ AM ☐ PM

MCR 2.107(C)(1): Service by personal delivery or leaving at the attorney's office is complete upon delivery.

B. Service by United States Mail (MCR 2.107(C)(3))

☐ U.S. First-Class Mail — I served the above document(s) by placing a true copy in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid, addressed to:

Mailing Address Used: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Date of Mailing: [__/__/____]
Place of Mailing (city, state): [________________________________]

Michigan Mail Extension Rule — MCR 2.108(D): When service is made by first-class mail, 2 additional days are added to any prescribed response or action period. Example: A 21-day response period becomes 23 days when service is by U.S. Mail.

C. Service by Electronic Mail (MCR 2.107(C)(4))

☐ Electronic Mail (Email) — I served the above document(s) by transmitting a copy to the email address(es) below. Under MCR 2.107(C)(4), email service is authorized for registered MiFILE users and for non-registered users who have consented to email service in writing or by court order.

Recipient Email Address: [________________________________]
Date of Transmission: [__/__/____]
Time of Transmission: [____] ☐ AM ☐ PM

Basis for Email Service:
☐ Recipient is a registered MiFILE user (service through MiFILE system or direct email)
☐ Recipient has provided written consent to email service
☐ Court order authorizing email service (Order dated: [__/__/____])

Note: If email transmission to a registered MiFILE user is undeliverable, the serving party must immediately serve by regular mail (MCR 2.107(C)(3)) or personal delivery (MCR 2.107(C)(1) or (2)).

D. Service by Facsimile (MCR 2.107(C)(4))

☐ Facsimile Transmission — I served the above document(s) by transmitting a copy by fax to:

Recipient Fax Number: [________________________________]
Date of Transmission: [__/__/____]
Time of Transmission: [____] ☐ AM ☐ PM
Number of Pages Transmitted (including cover): [____]
Confirmation Number (if available): [________________________________]

Note: Facsimile service requires the recipient's consent or the recipient must have provided their fax number in court filings. Service is complete upon successful transmission.

E. Service through MiFILE Electronic Filing System (MCR 1.109; Admin. Order 2014-23)

☐ MiFILE E-Filing System — The above document(s) were filed electronically through Michigan's MiFILE system. Upon successful filing, MiFILE automatically generated electronic service to all registered users of record in this case.

Name(s) Automatically Served through MiFILE: [________________________________]
Date/Time of MiFILE Filing: [__/__/____] at [____] ☐ AM ☐ PM
MiFILE Transaction/Confirmation Number: [________________________________]
MiFILE Status: ☐ "Filed" ☐ "Pending Court Acceptance"

Michigan MiFILE Rules: A document filed electronically through MiFILE is considered filed when transmission is complete and the system reflects a "Filed" status. Registered MiFILE users have agreed to accept electronic service through MiFILE. For parties who are NOT registered MiFILE users, separate service by mail, personal delivery, or other authorized method is required and must be certified here.

Non-MiFILE Registered Parties Served Separately:
☐ None — All parties are registered MiFILE users
☐ The following parties were served by [________________________________] (method):
Party Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Date Served: [__/__/____]

PART IV: SERVICE ON SELF-REPRESENTED (PRO SE) PARTIES

Self-Represented Party Name: [________________________________]
Last Known Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]

Method of Service:
☐ U.S. First-Class Mail (+2-day extension applies for responses)
☐ Personal delivery
☐ Left at party's residence with household member of suitable age
☐ MiFILE (only if the pro se party has registered with MiFILE)
☐ Email (only with written consent or court order)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

MCR 2.107(A): Service on a party who is not represented by counsel must be made upon the party directly at the party's last-known address. Check the court's case management system for the current address on file. Under Michigan law, attorneys have an obligation to ensure pro se parties receive proper notice.

PART V: DECLARATION OF SERVICE BY MAIL

(Complete this section if any service was made by U.S. Mail.)

I, [________________________________], declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Michigan that the following is true and correct:

I am over the age of 18 and am not a party to the above-captioned action. My address is:

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

On [__/__/____], I served a copy of the document(s) described in Part I above by depositing a true and correct copy thereof in a sealed envelope, with U.S. first-class postage fully prepaid, addressed to the person(s) identified in Part II of this Certificate of Service, and deposited the sealed envelope in the United States Mail at [________________________________], Michigan.

Declarant Printed Name: [________________________________]
Declarant Signature: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

PART VI: DECLARATION OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE

(Complete this section if service was made through MiFILE or by email.)

I, [________________________________], declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Michigan that the following is true and correct:

On [__/__/____], I caused the document(s) described in Part I above to be served electronically as follows:

☐ MiFILE Filing: I filed the document(s) through Michigan's MiFILE electronic filing system. The system generated electronic service to all registered parties. The transaction was confirmed with confirmation number [________________________________]. Service is complete upon the system reflecting "Filed" status.

☐ Email Transmission: I transmitted the document(s) by email to the address(es) listed in Part III.C above, based on the consent/authority identified therein. I have retained a copy of the sent email confirmation.

If I receive notice that any electronic transmission was unsuccessful, I will promptly serve by an alternative method authorized under MCR 2.107.

Declarant Printed Name: [________________________________]
Declarant Signature: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

PART VII: MICHIGAN-SPECIFIC PROCEDURAL NOTES

7.1 Scope of Service Obligation — MCR 2.107(A)

Every pleading, motion, or other paper filed after the complaint (except papers filed ex parte) must be served on every party in the action. Service on an attorney of record is service on the party the attorney represents, unless the court orders otherwise.

7.2 Time to Respond — MCR 2.108

• Response to motions: Unless modified by court order or local rule, opposing parties have 21 days to respond to a motion.
• Mail extension: Add 2 days to any response period when service is by mail (MCR 2.108(D)).
• Day zero: The day of the event triggering the period is excluded from the count.
• Weekends and holidays: If the last day of the period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period extends to the next business day.

7.3 MiFILE Electronic Filing System

Michigan's MiFILE system is operated statewide and is the mandatory e-filing platform for courts that have adopted it, including the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and most circuit courts. Key operational rules:

• A document is "filed" when MiFILE reflects a "Filed" status after transmission.
• Registered MiFILE users accept e-service as part of registration; service through MiFILE is complete upon the system transmitting the Notice of Electronic Filing.
• If MiFILE is unavailable due to a system outage, filers should document the failure and file by alternative means or seek a filing deadline extension.
• Local courts may have additional MiFILE requirements — check local administrative orders.
• MiFILE does not serve non-registered parties; filers must serve those parties separately and certify such service here.

7.4 Michigan Attorney Requirements

Michigan attorneys must keep their P-Number (State Bar number), address, telephone number, and email current in the State Bar directory and in MiFILE. Under MCR 2.107, attorneys' contact information in court filings must be current and accurate.

7.5 Proof of Service — MCR 2.107(D)

Proof of service must be made by written acknowledgment of service, certificate of the attorney making service, or affidavit of the person making service. The certificate or affidavit must be filed with the court. The certificate may appear on the face of or at the end of the document being served.

7.6 Service of Original Process

This Certificate of Service template applies to service of court papers after the complaint is filed. Service of the original summons and complaint is governed separately by MCR 2.105 (service of process) and requires strict compliance with those rules regarding personal service on defendants.

7.7 Facsimile and Email Service Under MCR 2.107(C)(4)

Michigan allows service by email and fax under MCR 2.107(C)(4) when the recipient is a registered MiFILE user or has consented to such service. This is broader than many states and is a noteworthy Michigan-specific feature.

PART VIII: SIGNATURE BLOCK

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Michigan that the foregoing Certificate of Service is true and correct, and that I served the document(s) described herein in the manner indicated.

Executed on: [__/__/____]

Signature: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Michigan P-Number (if attorney): P-[____]

Firm Name: [________________________________]

Mailing Address: [________________________________]

City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]

Telephone: ([____]) [____]-[________]

Facsimile: ([____]) [____]-[________]

Email Address: [________________________________]

Capacity:
☐ Attorney for Plaintiff [________________________________]
☐ Attorney for Defendant [________________________________]
☐ Attorney for Third-Party Defendant [________________________________]
☐ Self-Represented Party

APPENDIX: MICHIGAN SERVICE METHODS — QUICK REFERENCE

Sources: Michigan Court Rules updated January 28, 2026 (courts.michigan.gov); MiFILE Administrative Order 2014-23. Template last updated: 2026-03-06. This template does not constitute legal advice.