Sec. 1. (a) This section applies to:

(1) the giving of any notice;

Terms Used In Indiana Code 4-21.5-3-1

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Property: includes personal and real property. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the commonwealths, possessions, states in free association with the United States, and the territories. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
(2) the service of any motion, ruling, order, or other filed item; or

(3) the filing of any document with the ultimate authority or the office of administrative law proceedings;

in an administrative proceeding under this article.

     (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) or as otherwise provided by law, a person shall serve papers by:

(1) United States mail;

(2) personal service;

(3) electronic mail; or

(4) any other method approved by the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.

     (c) A complaint under section 8 of this chapter shall be served by United States mail or personal service.

     (d) The agency shall keep a record of the time, date, and circumstances of the service under subsection (b) or (c).

     (e) Service shall be made on a person or on the person’s counsel or other authorized representative of record in the proceeding. Service on an artificial person or a person incompetent to receive service shall be made on a person allowed to receive service under the rules governing civil actions in the courts. If an ultimate authority consists of more than one (1) individual, service on that ultimate authority must be made on the chairperson or secretary of the ultimate authority. A document to be filed with that ultimate authority must be filed with the chairperson or secretary of the ultimate authority.

     (f) If the current address of a person is not ascertainable, service shall be mailed to the last known address where the person resides or has a principal place of business. If the identity, address, or existence of a person is not ascertainable, or a law other than a rule allows, service shall be made by a single publication in a newspaper of general circulation in:

(1) the county in which the person resides, has a principal place of business, or has property that is the subject of the proceeding; or

(2) Marion County, if the place described in subdivision (1) is not ascertainable or the place described in subdivision (1) is outside Indiana and the person does not have a resident agent or other representative of record in Indiana.

     (g) A notice given by publication must include a statement advising a person how the person may receive written notice of the proceedings.

     (h) The filing of a document with an ultimate authority is considered complete on the earliest of the following dates that apply to the filing:

(1) The date on which the document is delivered to the ultimate authority or the office of administrative law proceedings:

(A) under subsection (b) or (c); and

(B) in compliance with subsection (e).

(2) The date of the postmark on the envelope containing the document, if the document is mailed to the ultimate authority or the office of administrative law proceedings by United States mail.

(3) The date on which the document is deposited with a private carrier, as shown by a receipt issued by the carrier, if the document is sent to the ultimate authority or the office of administrative law proceedings by private carrier.

(4) The date of the electronic submission containing the document, if the document is sent by electronic mail.

As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.2; P.L.33-1989, SEC.2; P.L.35-1989, SEC.2; P.L.32-2011, SEC.1; P.L.6-2012, SEC.17; P.L.152-2012, SEC.4; P.L.13-2021, SEC.1; P.L.187-2021, SEC.1.