Arizona Instructions: Service of Petition and Proof of Service Filing refers to the legal process of notifying a defendant of a legal action or lawsuit. This is done through the service of the petition, which is a document that outlines the legal complaint and the relief requested. The proof of service filing is a document filed with the court that states that the defendant has been served with the petition. There are two types of Arizona Instructions: Service of Petition and Proof of Service Filing: personal service and substituted service. Personal service requires that the petitioner serve the petition to the defendant in person. Substituted service requires that the petitioner serve the petition to an authorized person at the defendant's residence or place of business. Both types require that a proof of service filing be completed with the court.