AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE

(State of Ohio)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted to comply with the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and common-law affidavit standards.
Replace all bracketed, ALL-CAP placeholders before use. Remove any instructional comments appearing within double slashes.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions (Statement of Service)
IV. Representations & Warranties of Affiant
V. Covenants (Continuing Obligations)
VI. General Provisions (Affidavit Formalities)
VII. Execution Block & Notarial Acknowledgment

NOTE: Sections customarily found in contracts (e.g., Default, Remedies, Risk Allocation, Dispute Resolution) are intentionally omitted as they are not applicable to a litigation-support affidavit.

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Caption

IN THE [_] COURT OF [] COUNTY, OHIO
[PLAINTIFF NAME], )
Plaintiff, ) Case No. [__]
v. ) Judge [_____]
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. Title
   Affidavit of Service

3. Effective Date
   This Affidavit is made and entered as of [DATE] (the “Effective Date”).

4. Jurisdiction Statement
   This Affidavit is executed pursuant to, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, the laws and procedural rules of the State of Ohio.

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of reference, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below.

“Affiant” – the individual making this Affidavit of Service.
“Documents” – the pleadings, motions, notices, subpoenas, or other papers identified in Section III(2).
“Recipient” – the person(s) or entity(ies) upon whom service was effected, as identified in Section III(3).
“Service Address” – the physical address at which service occurred.
“Service Date” – the calendar date on which service was completed.
“Service Method” – the manner of service utilized, selected from the authorized options listed in Section III(1).

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS (STATEMENT OF SERVICE)

1. Service Method
   The Affiant effected service by the following method authorized under the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (check one and supply specifics):
   ☐ Personal service by process server.
   ☐ Certified U.S. Mail, return receipt requested.
   ☐ Commercial carrier service (e.g., FedEx) with signed delivery confirmation.
   ☐ Residence service (left with a person of suitable age and discretion).
   ☐ Substitute service as ordered by the Court (attach order).
   ☐ Other court-approved method: [DESCRIBE].

2. Documents Served

a. [Document Title] dated [_].
b. [Document Title] dated [___].
c. [Add additional items as necessary.]

3. Recipient Information
   • Name: [RECIPIENT NAME]
   • Capacity (e.g., defendant, counsel of record, statutory agent): [_____]
   • Service Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]

4. Date & Time of Service
   • Service Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
   • Approx. Time: [HH:MM a.m./p.m.] (if personal or residence service)

5. Proof of Completion
   • If service was by mail or carrier, original signed receipt is attached as Exhibit A.
   • If personal/residence service, Affiant’s signature below constitutes sworn proof.
   • If substitute service, court order authorizing method is attached as Exhibit B.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES OF AFFIANT

The Affiant hereby declares, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Ohio, that:

1. Competency – Affiant is at least 18 years of age and competent to testify.
2. Disinterest – Affiant is not a party to the above-captioned action and has no financial interest in its outcome.
3. Authority – Affiant was duly authorized or appointed to serve the Documents.
4. Accuracy – All statements herein are true and correct based on Affiant’s personal knowledge.
5. Compliance – Service was completed in strict conformity with the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and any specific orders of the Court.

V. COVENANTS (CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS)

1. Further Testimony
   The Affiant agrees to appear for testimony—whether by affidavit, deposition, or in open court—if subpoenaed or otherwise lawfully compelled, for the limited purpose of authenticating or elaborating upon the facts set forth herein.

2. Preservation of Records
   The Affiant shall retain, in secure custody, all original receipts, notes, photographs, or other evidentiary materials related to the Service for not less than [__] years following the Effective Date, or until final disposition of the action, whichever is later.

VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Amendments
   This Affidavit may be supplemented or amended only by a subsequent sworn statement executed and notarized in compliance with Ohio law.

2. Severability
   If any portion of this Affidavit is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

3. Counterparts & Electronic Signatures
   This Affidavit may be executed in counterparts, each of which constitutes an original. Electronic, facsimile, and PDF signatures shall be deemed originals to the fullest extent permitted by law.

VII. EXECUTION BLOCK & NOTARIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I, the undersigned Affiant, have read the foregoing Affidavit of Service, know the contents thereof, and state that the same is true of my own knowledge.

_____ ____
[AFFIANT PRINTED NAME] Date
State of Ohio
County of [__]

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ___ day of __, 20, by ____, who is personally known to me or has produced satisfactory identification.

_____ ____
Notary Public Commission Expiration Date
[PRINTED NAME, Notary Number]

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach all referenced exhibits (e.g., green card, carrier receipt, court order) before filing.
2. Verify local court rules—some Ohio counties prescribe specific affidavit language or require inclusion of clerk-issued return forms.
3. File the completed affidavit with the clerk promptly to ensure the docket accurately reflects proof of service within the rule-based time limits (typically 28 days for original service).]