Utah Code § 13-11 § 13-11-6
Service of process.
Operative Text
Service of process. (1) In addition to any other method provided by rule or statute, personal jurisdiction over a supplier may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding instituted in a court with jurisdiction by the service of process as provided in Subsection (3). (2) (a) A supplier that engages in any act or practice in this state governed by this chapter, or engages in a consumer transaction subject to this chapter, may designate an agent upon whom service of process may be made in the state. (b) A supplier shall make a designation of an agent under Subsection (2)(a) in writing and file the designation with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. (c) An agent designated under this Subsection (2) shall be a resident of or a corporation authorized to do business in the state. (3) (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), process upon a supplier may be served as provided in Section 16-1a-412 if: (i) a designation is not made and filed under Subsection (2); or (ii) process cannot be served in the state upon the designated agent. (b) Service upon a supplier is not effective unless the plaintiff promptly mails a copy of the process and pleadings by registered or certified mail to the supplier at the supplier's last reasonably ascertainable address. (c) The plaintiff shall file an affidavit of compliance with this section: (i) with the clerk of the court; and (ii) on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within any future time the court allows.
Utah Code Ann. § 13-11-6 establishes how courts can obtain legal authority over a supplier—a business or individual selling goods or services to consumers—when a civil action is brought under Utah's consumer protection law. Suppliers may voluntarily designate a registered agent in Utah by filing that designation in writing with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, giving courts a clear point of contact for legal process. If no agent is designated or cannot be reached, process may be served through an alternative statutory method, but only if the plaintiff also promptly sends a copy of the process and pleadings to the supplier's last known address by registered or certified mail and files an affidavit of compliance with the court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Although § 13-11-6 is directed at 'suppliers' under Utah's consumer protection framework, property owners and managers who engage in consumer transactions covered by this chapter are well-advised to understand how the designation process works. Compliant operators typically file a written designation of a Utah-resident agent or an authorized corporation with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, ensuring there is a reliable, in-state point of contact for any legal process. Maintaining an accurate and current agent designation under § 13-11-6 helps avoid the alternative service procedures that apply when no valid agent is on file.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Utah Code Ann. § 13-11-6 provides tenants and other consumers with a legal mechanism to serve process on a supplier—such as a landlord acting as a seller of goods or services—even when that supplier has not voluntarily designated a Utah agent. If a supplier has no registered agent on file with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, or if that agent cannot be reached, the law allows service through an alternative method as long as a copy of the process is promptly mailed to the supplier's last reasonably ascertainable address by registered or certified mail. Tenants who believe a supplier has violated Utah's consumer protection laws may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how § 13-11-6's service requirements apply to their situation before initiating any civil action.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation