Tennessee § 21-1-204 - Service by publication.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 21-1-204 — Service by publication., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 21-1-204. Service by publication.
In case personal service is not used, if the defendant does not cause an appearance to be entered, the clerk, as soon as the necessary affidavit is made, shall enter upon the rule docket an order requiring the defendant to appear at a certain day named in the order, being a rule day, and defend, or otherwise the bill will be taken for confessed. The clerk shall forthwith cause a copy of this order to be published for four (4) consecutive weeks in the newspaper mentioned in the order or designated by the general rules of the court. Code 1858, §§ 4354-4359 (deriv. Acts 1801, ch. 6, § 4; 1833, ch. 15; 1845-1846, ch. 122, § 7; 1851-1852, ch. 365, § 3; 1853-1854, ch. 55, § 3; 1855-1856, ch. 164, § 2); Shan., §§ 6164-6169; Code 1932, §§ 10433-10438; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 21-213 — 21-217; modified. Rule Reference. This section is referred to in Rule 10 of the Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Procedure. Textbooks. Gibson's Suits in Chancery (7th ed., Inman), §§ 116, 138, 139. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), No. 1-4-4. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 3 Tenn. Juris., Appearances, § 7; Tenn. Juris., Attachment and Garnishment, §§ 80, 83, 111; 21 Tenn. Juris., Process, §§ 10, 11. Law Reviews. A Survey of Civil Procedure in Tennessee — 1977, II. Selecting a Proper Forum (John L. Sobieski, Jr.), 46 Tenn. L. Rev. 273. Federal and State Condemnation Proceedings — Procedure and Statutory Background (William E. Miller), 14 Vand. L. Rev. 1085. Recent Developments — Domestic Relations — Divorce — Due Process for Indigent Plaintiffs, 47 Tenn. L. Rev. 845. Cited: Rast v. Terry, 532 S.W.2d 552, 1976 Tenn. LEXIS 607 (Tenn. 1976); Dungan v. Dungan, 579 S.W.2d 183, 1979 Tenn. LEXIS 424 (Tenn. 1979); In re F.M.B.P.W., — S.W.3d —, 2008 Tenn. App. LEXIS 176 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 26, 2008); Perry v. Unknown Parties, — S.W.3d —, 2010 Tenn. App. LEXIS 797 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2010).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 21-1-204
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 21-1-204 cover?
Section 21-1-204 ("Service by publication.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 21-1-204?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 21-1-204" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 21-1-204 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.