the legal way to give formal notice is to have the other side “served” with a copy of the paperwork that you have filed with the court. personal service “personal service” means that someone – not a party to the case – must personally deliver the court documents to the other side. when the other side agrees to be served by mail and is willing to sign a document for the court saying that they received the papers, you can usually use this method. it is usually used when you do not know how to find the other side and do not have an address or workplace for him or her.