(a) Individual. The port director will serve the notice of charges and the statement of charges against an individual broker as follows:

(1) By delivery to the broker personally;

(2) By certified mail addressed to the broker, with demand for a return card signed solely by the addressee;

(3) By any other means which the broker may have authorized in a written communication to the port director; or

(4) If attempts to serve the broker by the methods prescribed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section are unsuccessful, the port director may serve the notice and statement by leaving them with the person in charge of the broker's office.

(b) Partnership, association or corporation. The port director will serve the notice of charges and the statement of charges against a partnership, association, or corporation broker as follows:

(1) By delivery to any member of the partnership personally or to any officer of the association or corporation personally;

(2) By certified mail addressed to any member of the partnership or to any officer of the association or corporation, with demand for a return card signed solely by the addressee;

(3) By any other means which the broker may have authorized in a written communication to the port director; or

(4) If attempts to serve the broker by the methods prescribed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section are unsuccessful, the port director may serve the notice and statement by leaving them with the person in charge of the broker's office.

(c) Certified mail; evidence of service. When the service under this section is by certified mail, the receipt of the return card duly signed will be satisfactory evidence of service.