If you are litigating in Maryland, the Maryland Rules will govern how you are required to effect service of process for your initial pleadings. Service of Process is a jurisdictional matter; failure to achieve effective service of process will divest the court of jurisdiction to hear your case. The Maryland Rules for service of process are found at 2-121 through 2-126. Note that there are special rules for effecting process on corporations or other business entities, as described in 2-124(d)-(h).
