Jahanbin v. Rafieishad, 292 Ga. 806

Manoucher Jahanbin and Zahra Rafieishad married in Atlanta after moving from Iran and separated as husband traveled internationally.
Wife Feld for divorce in Fulton County Superior Court on May 19, 2011.
Efforts to serve husband in Iran were unsuccessful, prompting a court order directing service under OCGA § 9-11-4 (f) (3) (B) (iii) (II).
Court instructed clerk to mail summons to husband at Tehran, Iran; clerk allowed wife’s attorney to complete the registered mail receipt in Farsi.
Plaintiff argues service under OCGA § 9-11-4 (f) (3) (B) (iii) (II) was not perfected; trial court denied husband’s motion to set aside final judgment.
Trial court’s finding that service was perfected was reversed; no need to address remaining issues due to lack of jurisdiction.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether service was perfected under OCGA § 9-11-4 (f) (3) (B) (iii) (II).	Jahanbin contends service was perfected per statute.	Rafieishad contends clerk's involvement failed to meet the requirement.	No; service was not perfected, voiding jurisdiction.

Bonner v. Bonner, 272 Ga. 545 (2000) (service jurisdiction cannot be acquired without proper service)
Bible v. Bible, 259 Ga. 418 (1989) (strict compliance with service provisions required)
Southworth v. Southworth, 265 Ga. 671 (1995) (general requirement of proper service for jurisdiction)
Williams v. Batten, 156 Ga. 620 (1923) ( clerk must address and dispatch mail to verify service)