American Samoa § 43.0501 - By publication

§ 43.0501. By publication

When an affidavit is filed that personal service cannot be made upon the defendant within American Samoa, service may be made by publication in any of the following cases: (1) actions involving real property in American Samoa or any right, title, interest or estate therein, including, without limiting the foregoing, actions brought for: (A) the sale, recovery or partition of real property; (B) specific performance of a contract of sale covering real property; (C) foreclosure under any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance or charge upon real property; or (D) quieting of title to real property; (2) an action brought against a nonresident of American Samoa or a foreign corporation, having in American Samoa property or debts owing to such defendant and sought to be appropriated in any way; (3) all action where the defendant, being a resident of American Samoa, has departed therefrom with intent to delay or defraud his creditors, or to avoid the service of a notice, or keeps himself concealed in American Samoa with like intent; (4) where the action is for a divorce or annulment, or for a change or modification of a decree of divorce or annulment, if the defendant is a nonresident of American Samoa or his residence is unknown. Case Notes: When personal service cannot be made upon a respondent in a divorce action within American Samoa, a petitioner may apply for an order authorizing issuance of a notice for service by publication, supported by an affidavit or another acceptable, verified statement of nonresidency or unknown residency. A.S.C.A. §§ 43.0501-43.0504; T.C.R.C.P. 4(e). Pula v. Pula, 24 A.S.R.2d 151 (1993). When a petitioner files an affidavit that personal service cannot be made upon a respondent in a divorce action within American Samoa, due to nonresidency or unknown residency, service of process may be made by publication or registered mailing. A.S.C.A. §§ 43.0501-43.0504; T.C.R.C.P. 4(e), 12(a). Pula v. Pula, 24 A.S.R.2d 93 (1993).