It is relevant to know that the courts define nearly every construct used to apply time constraints upon the parties.
Diligent Inquiry
Inquiry as to the absent party’s whereabouts shall be made by the party who seeks to have service made, or by the party’s attorney actually entrusted with the conduct of the action, or by the agent of the attorney.
It shall be made of any person who the inquirer has reason to believe possesses knowledge or information as to the absent party’s residence or address or the matter inquired of. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, diligent inquiry shall include a reasonable effort to search the internet for the whereabouts of the absent party.
The inquiry shall also be undertaken in person or by letter, and the inquirer shall state that an action has been or is about to be commenced against the party inquired for, that the object of the inquiry is to give such party notice of the action in order that such party may appear and defend it.
When the inquiry is made by letter, postage shall be enclosed sufficient for the return of an answer. The affidavit of inquiry shall be made by the inquirer.
It shall fully specify the inquiry made, of what persons and in what manner it was made, and a description of any efforts that were made to search the internet, so that by the facts stated therein it may appear that diligent inquiry has been made for the purpose of effecting actual notice.
Following this Period One May Serve the Party by Posting on the Alaska Court System’s Legal Notice Website.
A notice shall be continuously posted for four consecutive weeks on the Alaska Court System’s legal notice website. Prior to the last week of posting, the party who seeks to have service made must send the absent party a copy of the notice and the complaint or the pleading (A) by registered or certified mail, with return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, and (B) by regular first class mail. The notice must be addressed in care of the absent party’s residence or the place where the party usually receives mail, unless it shall appear by affidavit that the absent party’s residence or place is unknown or cannot be determined after inquiry. (3)
Additional Service by Other Methods.
In addition to the service required under paragraph (2), the court, in its discretion, may require service of process to be made upon an absent party in any other manner that is reasonably calculated to give the party actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. The method of service could include publication of the notice in a print or online newspaper or other publication at least once a week for four consecutive weeks; service of the notice to the absent party’s e-mail account; posting of the notice to the absent party’s social networking account; physically posting a copy of the notice and complaint on a public bulletin board or on the front door of the absent party’s place of residence; or any method the court determines to be reasonable and appropriate.
The Importance of Time
Each notice shall specify the time within which the absent party has to appear or answer or plead, which shall not be less than 20 days after personal service or, if service is made by publication, not less than 30 days after the last date of publication, and shall state the effect of a failure to appear or answer or plead. If the absent party does not appear or answer or plead within the time specified within the notice, the court may proceed as if such party had been served with process within the state.