Opinion ID: 602903
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Service As to the Consulate

Text: 20 Gerritsen attempted to serve the Mexican Consulate by having the district court clerk send an untranslated copy of the complaint to the President of Mexico by registered mail. Service of the Consulate is governed by the Foreign Sovereigns Immunity Act (FSIA). 28 U.S.C. § 1330 (1988). Since the consulate is a separate legal person, it is a foreign state within the meaning of the FSIA. Joseph, 830 F.2d at 1021 (citing Gerritsen I, 819 F.2d at 1517). 21 Section 1608(a) of the FSIA provides for four alternative methods of service, only one of which could apply in this case: 22 (3) if service cannot be made under paragraphs (1) or (2), by sending a copy of the summons and complaint and a notice of suit, together with a translation of each into the official language of the foreign state, by any form of mail requiring signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the head of the ministry of foreign affairs of the foreign state concerned. 23 28 U.S.C. § 1608(b) (emphasis added). Even assuming that the president of Mexico is the head of the ministry of foreign affairs, Gerritsen did not perfect service because he sent only an English language version of the complaint. 24