In Minnesota, divorce is started by having the other spouse served personally with a “Summons” and “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.” The spouse initiating the Divorce has to prepare and personally serve the other spouse with these two (2) documents. Personal Service is typically achieved by having a private process server or law enforcement hand-deliver the paperwork on the other spouse. The spouse who is receiving the initial divorce papers can avoid being personally served with the divorce papers by signing a written “Acknowledgment of Service”, indicating that he/she agrees that he/she received the paperwork.

• Read summons statute: link
• Read petition statute: link