{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-13-336","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 13-336","heading":"Service by publication on nonresidents, absent defendants, and unknown heirs or devisees.","body":"(a)\nIn actions specified by subsection (b) of this section, publication may be substituted for personal service of process:\n(1)\nUpon a defendant who cannot be found and who is shown by affidavit to be a nonresident or to have been absent from the District for at least 6 months;\n(2)\nUpon a defendant who cannot be found after diligent efforts or who by concealment seeks to avoid service of process; or\n(3)\nAgainst the unknown heirs or devisees of deceased persons.\n\n(b)\nThis section applies only to:\n(1)\nactions for partition;\n(2)\nactions for divorce or annulment;\n(3)\nactions for child custody under D.C. Official Code, Title 16, Chapter 45 [repealed];\n(4)\nactions by attachment;\n(5)\nactions for foreclosure of mortgages and deeds of trust;\n(6)\nactions for the establishment of title to real estate by possession;\n(7)\nactions for the enforcement of mechanics’ liens, and other liens against real or personal property within the District;\n(8)\nactions that have for their immediate object the enforcement or establishment of any lawful right, claim, or demand to or against any real or personal property within the jurisdiction of the court; and\n(9)\nactions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under [subchapter VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16].","path":["Title 13. Procedure Generally. [Enacted title]","Chapter 3. Process and Parties.","Subchapter II. Service of Process; Legal Representatives."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/13-336","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"105097772be9672be0dc6909910b23ab67882c39f72353ddb0e214780e32dcd9","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-13-335","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-13-337"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}