Minnesota Instructions — Application to Serve Summons & Petition by Alternate Means is a document that is used when a person cannot be served the summons and petition by personal service. This document is used in Minnesota to request the court's permission to serve a summons and petition by alternate means. There are three types of alternate service: (1) publication in a newspaper, (2) service by mail, or (3) service by posting. The person filing the application must provide the name and address of the person to be served, the nature of the action, the grounds for alternate service, the proposed manner of service, and a proposed order allowing alternate service. The court will review the application and make a decision whether to allow alternate service.