Service of papers can be done by personal service upon the person by a person 18 years or older who is not a party to the action. In my state, there would be a follow up mailing by first class mail within 1 day of service. The server then submits an Affidavit of Service to the court within 3 business days.
Personal service means the paper touches their body. They don’t need to sign for it or accept it. It can fall to the floor while they walk away. As long as their was contact for 1 second (for instance) they were served.
Another way to serve is by Nail & Mail. Again another person posts the notice to the door and follows that with a mailing. First class mail with a certificate of mailing may be able to be used as it guarantees the mail arrives to the location as opposed to having to be picked up as is the case with Certified Mail.
The last form of service is to serve someone of suitable age and discretion, meaning 14 years of age or older at the premises with follow up mailing. The Affidavit of Service is filled out and submitted describing the appearance of the person, name, or if they refuse to give their name, John or Jane Doe.
This is for my state, not NJ. My job is to issue warrants of eviction (among other things) and to do so I have to analyze files to make sure all paperwork was complete and properly done within required time so I’m speaking from professional knowledge.
The paperwork cited is required to start a case and must be repeated once a case number/docket number/index number is purchased.