A New York Affidavit of Service is a document used in the state of New York to prove that legal documents such as summons and complaints have been served on the appropriate parties. The affidavit must be filed with the court or other appropriate authority after the documents have been served. There are three types of New York Affidavits of Service: personal service, substituted service, and consented service. Personal Service is the process of serving documents to an individual directly. When serving documents through this method, the server must be over the age of 18 and not a party to the legal action. The server must present the documents to the individual, inform them of what they are, and ask for a verification of service. Substituted Service is the process of serving documents to someone other than the party to the legal action. This process requires that the server must be over the age of 18 and not a party to the legal action. The server must attempt to personally serve the documents on the party, but if the party cannot be found, the server must serve the documents on a person of suitable age and discretion, and mail copies of the documents to the party. Consented Service is the process of having the party to the legal action agree to accept service of the documents. The party must sign a form and agree to accept service in writing. The form must be filed with the court or other appropriate authority. New York Affidavit of Service forms are available from the court or other appropriate authorities.