# S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-9: Service by publication on unknown defendants--Mail service not required--Effect of service by publication

> South Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-9

## Section

- **Citation:** S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-9
- **Heading:** Service by publication on unknown defendants--Mail service not required--Effect of service by publication
- **Jurisdiction:** South Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SD Code / Title 21 / Chapter 41 / Section 21-41-9

## Text

The court may grant an order for the service of the summons upon defendants who are unknown, whether heirs, devisees, legatees, personal representatives, or creditors or any other unknown person, by publication upon the filing of an affidavit by the plaintiff, his agent or attorney, stating that if there are any persons other than those named as defendants in the summons and complaint who have or claim to have any interest or estate in or claim to, or lien or encumbrance upon the premises adverse to plaintiff, such persons are unknown. No deposit of a copy of the summons and complaint in the post office for unknown defendants shall be required, and service shall be complete as to all unknown defendants at the expiration of the publication of the summons as ordered and shall be taken and accepted as personal service on all parties unknown who have or claim to have any such interest, estate, claim, lien, or encumbrance in, to, or upon the property described in the complaint.

Source: SL 1903, ch 194, § 6; SL 1905, ch 81; RC 1919, § 2852; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1512; SL 1995, ch 167, § 188.

## Nearby sections

- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-1 Action authorized--Purposes of action--Persons authorized to maintain action--Parties defendant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-2 Joinder of causes of action as to different tracts or parcels--Common interest required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-2.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-3 Request before action for quitclaim deed--Expense tendered--Costs and attorney fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-3.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-4 Joinder of parties plaintiff](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-4.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-5 Joinder of known claimants as defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-5.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-6 Joinder of unknown claimants as defendants--Proof of want of knowledge](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-6.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-7 Filing of complaint and summons--Form for summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-7.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-8 Service of summons on named defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-8.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-9 Service by publication on unknown defendants--Mail service not required--Effect of service by publication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-9.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-10 Validation of prior judgments based on personal service outside state--Rights barred by no action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-10.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-11 Contents of complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-11.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-12 Lis pendens notice filed with register of deeds--Constructive notice--Destruction of records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-12.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-13 Disclaimer by defendant to avoid costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-13.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 21-41-14 Contents of defendant's answer--Counterclaim permitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T21_C41_S21-41-9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.