When you have someone doing service, be professional.
1. the person doing service must not be your relative, or someone living in the same building as the evicted person.
2. the person has to try 3 times to deliver the paper at different time during the day, say between 9am to 6pm, and only one of these can be in the weekend.
3. if the paper is delivered personally before or at the third try, the service person has to file an AFFIDAVIT OF PERSONAL SERVICE. You may go online to find template for this. Make sure every line is completed, bring to a notary, and have the service person sign it.
4. if the paper is not delivered personally at the third try, then leave the paper at the address, mail two copies, one plain mail, one certified without return. File an AFFIDAVIT OF SUBSTITUTE SERVICE. Make sure the service person put down the date and time of each attempted service. Notarized and attach the receipt of certified mail.
5. bring the affidavit to the court.
When you do it professionally, the judge will be more in favor with you.