This is an appeal from an order denying the third-party defendant’s motion to quash service. The third-party defendant alleged that, contrary to what was stated in the return of service, she had not been personally served but rather had found the summons stuck in her door. She contended further that since she was a minor (and her mother was deceased) service was ineffective because it had not been accomplished on her father as guardian.
At a hearing on the matter, the third-party defendant testified that she had been married formerly, but was single and a minor at the time of service. The deputy sheriff who executed the return of service testified that he had no recollection of this particular incident but that he believed he would not have signed a personal return of service if in fact he had not made personal service.
The third-party defendant’s motion was denied, a certificate for immediate review was executed, and we granted her application for interlocutory appeal. Held:
1. The return of service in this case constitutes a prima facie showing that personal service was accomplished on the third-party defendant. However, the critical question is the fact of service and not the nature of the return.
Hickey v. Merrit,
2. However, the record reveals that the father of the third-party defendant was never served with a copy of the third-party complaint and summons in his official capacity as father and natural guardian, nor was a guardian ad litem ever appointed. Our statute provides that a minor must be served personally, and his father,
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mother, guardian, or duly-appointed guardian ad litem must be served as well, "unless such minor
is
married.” CPA § 4 (d) (3) (Code Ann. § 81A-104 (d) (3)). (Emphasis supplied.) Strict compliance with this statutory requisite is essential for service of process to be perfected properly upon a minor.
Lanier v. Foster,
Judgment reversed.