Action commenced — summons service window

Triggering event: Action commenced — summons service window. Once this happens in a New York civil action, one deadline starts running under the CPLR. The rule is listed below with the governing section. Enter your date to get the exact due date, adjusted for the service method and rolled off weekends and New York court holidays.

Deadline	Period	CPLR rule	Notes
Service of summons deadline	120 calendar days after the triggering event	CPLR 306-b ↗ Article 3 — Jurisdiction and Service	Must serve within 120 days after commencement; 15 days after SOL expires if SOL ≤ 4 months.

Calculate the deadline from your date

Enter the date of action commenced — summons service window and how the paper was served. The result cites the rule and rolls weekends and NY court holidays forward.

Triggering event Date of event Service method

Worked example: action commenced — summons service window on Tuesday, September 15, 2026

If action commenced — summons service window happened today, here is when each deadline would fall depending on how the paper was served. Dates already account for the weekend and holiday roll.

Deadline	Personal delivery	By mail (+5 days)	NYSCEF e-service (+2 days)
Service of summons deadline	Wednesday, January 13, 2027	Tuesday, January 19, 2027	Friday, January 15, 2027

Service of summons deadline

120 calendar days after action commenced — summons service window. Must serve within 120 days after commencement; 15 days after SOL expires if SOL ≤ 4 months. Governing rule: CPLR 306-b (Article 3, Jurisdiction and Service).

How the service method changes the date

The period runs from service, and the method of service can extend it. Under CPLR 2103(b), mail adds 5 calendar days, overnight courier adds 1 business day, and NYSCEF e-service adds 2 days under Uniform Rule 202.5-b(f)(2). Personal delivery adds nothing. When the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or New York public holiday, the deadline rolls to the next business day (CPLR 2103(a); General Construction Law §25-a).

Frequently asked questions

How long after action commenced — summons service window is the service of summons deadline in New York?

120 calendar days after action commenced — summons service window, under CPLR 306-b. Must serve within 120 days after commencement; 15 days after SOL expires if SOL ≤ 4 months. If the paper was served by mail, add 5 calendar days (CPLR 2103(b)(2)); by overnight courier, add 1 business day; by NYSCEF e-service, add 2 days (Uniform Rule 202.5-b(f)(2)). A deadline that lands on a weekend or New York court holiday rolls to the next business day.

What if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?

It rolls forward to the next business day under CPLR 2103(a) and General Construction Law §25-a. The calculator applies the roll automatically and flags the affected row.

Can the court extend this deadline?

Usually. CPLR 2004 lets a court extend most statutory deadlines on good cause shown, but an extension is discretionary and should never be assumed before it is granted. Individual part rules may also shorten the default period.