Rule2026-00482
Service of Process; Address Change
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 13, 2026
Effective
January 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
This rule provides a change in the address for service of process for summonses, complaints, or other legal documents directed to the Department of State or to any Department employee or former employee in connection with federal or state litigation.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1245-1246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00482]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 172
[Public Notice: 12905]
RIN 1400-AG21
Service of Process; Address Change
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule provides a change in the address for service of
process for summonses, complaints, or other legal documents directed to
the Department of State or to any Department employee or former
employee in connection with federal or state litigation.
DATES: This rule is effective January 13, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Kottmyer, Attorney Adviser,
Office of Management, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#076c6873736a7e6275666a47747366736229606871"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e18a8e95958c988493808ca19295809584cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result of the 2025 reorganization of
functions within the Department of State, the office formerly
designated to receive service of process has been eliminated. The
office now designated to receive service of legal documents, including
commercial garnishments, is the Office of the Executive Secretariat.
This final rule makes that change. The Department will also coordinate
with the Office of Personnel Management to change the Department's
address for service of process listed in Appendix A of 5 CFR part 581.
In addition, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2026
changed the names of some Department bureaus, including the Bureau of
Human
[[Page 1246]]
Resources, which is included in Amendatory Instruction 4.
Regulatory Analysis
Administrative Procedure Act
This rule is being published as a final rule and is exempt from
notice and comment as a rule of agency management. Since the rule is
exempt from 5 U.S.C. 553, the delay provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(d) do
not apply.
Congressional Review Act
As this rule is a rule of agency organization, procedure, or
practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations
of non-agency parties, it is not a ``rule'' that is covered by the
Congressional Review Act. 5 U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, or
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million in any year; and it will not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under
the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Executive Order 13175
The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have
tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance
costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law.
Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to
this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Small Business
The Department of State certifies that this rulemaking will not
have an impact on a substantial number of small entities. A regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.).
Executive Order 12866, 14192, and 13563
OIRA has designated this rule as ``not significant'' under
Executive Order 12866; therefore, the rule is exempt from the
provisions of Executive Order 14192. The benefits of the rule in
providing clarity to the public on how to serve documents on the
Department outweigh any costs to the public, which are minimal.
Executive Order 12988
The Department of State has reviewed this rule in light of
Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation,
establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132
This rule will not have substantial direct effect on the states, on
the relationships between the national government and the states, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels
of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it
is determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement. Executive Order 12372, regarding
intergovernmental consultation on federal programs and activities, does
not apply to this regulation.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rulemaking does not create or modify any information
collections within the meaning of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44
U.S.C. Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 172
Administrative practice and procedure, Courts, Government
employees.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department
of State amends part 172 of Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, to
read as follows:
PART 172--SERVICE OF PROCESS; PRODUCTION OR DISCLOSURE OF OFFICIAL
INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO COURT ORDERS, SUBPOENAS, NOTICES OF
DEPOSITIONS, REQUESTS FOR ADMISSIONS, INTERROGATORIES, OR SIMILAR
REQUESTS OR DEMANDS IN CONNECTION WITH FEDERAL OR STATE LITIGATION;
EXPERT TESTIMONY
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1. The authority citation for part 172 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 8 U.S.C. 1202(f); 22 U.S.C. 2651a,
2664, 3926.
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2. Amend Sec. 172.2 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a); and
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b. In paragraphs (c) and (e), removing the term ``L/H-EX'' and adding,
in its place, the term ``S/ES-EX''.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 172.2 Service of summonses and complaints.
(a) Only the Office of the Executive Secretariat (S/ES-EX) is
authorized to receive and accept summonses or complaints sought to be
served upon the Department or Department employees. All such documents
should be delivered or addressed to: Congressional & Litigation Support
Office, Office of the Executive Secretariat (S/ES-EX), Room 1464, 2201
C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520.
* * * * *
Sec. 173.3 [Amended]
0
3. Amend Sec. 172.3 in paragraphs (a) and (d) by removing the term
``L/H-EX'' and adding in its place the term ``S/ES-EX''.
Sec. 172.4 [Amended]
0
4. Amend Sec. 172.4 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a) removing the title ``Director General of the
Foreign Service and Director of Personnel (M/DGP)'' and adding in its
place the title ``Assistant Secretary for Human Resources''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c) by removing the title ``Director General of the
Foreign Service and Director of Personnel'' and adding in its place the
title ``Assistant Secretary for Human Resources''.
Alice M. Kottmyer,
Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2026-00482 Filed 1-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-08-P
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