Maine Instructions for service by Alternate Means is a set of court rules that allow a person to be served with legal documents by other means than personal service. This is done when the person to be served cannot be located, or when trying to serve the person would cause unnecessary hardship. Alternate means of service can include first class mail, posting a copy of the legal documents in a public place, and publication in a newspaper. There are three types of Maine Instructions for service by Alternate Means: 1) Service by Certified Mail, 2) Service by Posting and Publication, and 3) Service by Publication. Service by Certified Mail is when the documents are mailed by certified mail with a return receipt requested to the person's last known address. The service is complete when the return receipt is signed. Service by Posting and Publication is when a copy of the documents is posted at the county courthouse and a copy is published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the action is brought. The service is complete when the posting and publication is completed. Service by Publication is when the documents are published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the action is brought. The service is complete when the publication is completed.