The short answer
You do not always need someone's postal address to sue them. If you have any way to reach them — an email, a WhatsApp number, a phone number, or even the address of a family member who sees them — the court can often allow you to use that instead.
This is called alternative service (sometimes written “service by alternative means”). You ask the judge for permission, the judge says yes, and your claim gets delivered to the person the way you asked.
Good news: Courts say yes to these requests all the time, as long as you can show the method will actually reach the defendant.
What is “alternative service”?
Normally, when you file a court claim, the court posts it to the defendant's home or business address. That way, you can prove they received it.
But sometimes you don't have that address. Maybe you only ever met online. Maybe they moved and won't tell you where. Maybe the only contact you have is a work WhatsApp or a phone number.
Alternative service is a rule in the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR 6.15) that lets the court approve a different delivery method. If the judge agrees the method is reasonable, your claim is legally served — even without a postal address.
What contact info works?
Any real way of reaching the defendant can work. You just need to convince the judge that the method will actually get the documents to them. Common examples:
- Email address — the most common alternative. Even better if you have recent messages proving they use it.
- WhatsApp number — courts have allowed this in many cases, especially where the defendant has been actively messaging from it.
- Text message / SMS — if you have a working mobile number they respond to.
- Social media DM — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn messages have all been approved in the right circumstances.
- A family member's address — if their parents, partner, or sibling can pass on the papers.
- A last-known address — if you think they still pick up post there, even if they have moved on.
One thing to remember: the better your evidence that the method actually reaches the defendant, the quicker the court will approve it. Screenshots of recent messages are gold dust.
How much does it cost?
Getting the court's permission to use alternative service adds £172 on top of a normal claim:
- £123 — the court fee for the extra application (an N244 form). This goes to the court, not to us.
- £49 — JustClaim's fee for preparing and filing the application for you, along with any supporting evidence.
This is on top of your usual court fee and the JustClaim service fee for the main claim. If you win your case, you can usually ask the court to order the defendant to pay these costs back to you.
How the process works
- Tell us how to reach them. On the claim form, tick the “I do not have the defendant's address” box and pick a contact method (email, WhatsApp, phone, etc). Add any detail that helps — like recent message dates or proof they use that method.
- We prepare two things. Your main claim (the N1 form) and the application for alternative service (the N244 form), with a short witness statement explaining why you don't have their address and why your method will work.
- The court decides. A judge reads the application — usually without a hearing — and either approves your chosen method or asks for more detail.
- We serve the claim. Once approved, the claim is delivered to the defendant the way the judge allowed (e.g. by email). From there, it's a normal case.
Don't let a missing address stop you
If you know how to reach them, you can sue them. Tell us what info you have and we'll handle the rest — no legal jargon, no solicitor.
Start My ClaimCommon questions
Does the court always say yes?
Not always, but usually — as long as the method you suggest will realistically reach the defendant. The more evidence you can show that they use that email, phone or account, the stronger your request.
What if I only have their first name?
You usually need enough information to identify them clearly (a full name, a photo, or a contact method uniquely theirs). If you only have a first name and nothing else, get in touch — we can help you work out whether you have enough.
Can I use alternative service for a company?
For a UK limited company, you normally don't need to. Companies must have a registered office on Companies House, and that's the default service address. Alternative service is mostly used for individuals or overseas companies.
How long does the extra step add?
Usually 2–4 weeks for the judge to decide the application. After that your case runs on the normal timeline.
Will the defendant know I tried to hide their address?
No. You're being open with the court that you don't have their address. The defendant simply receives the claim through the approved method — they get the same paperwork either way.