Can a lawsuit be filed without knowing the defendant’s ID number? According to the relevant provisions of the Supreme People’s Court, even if the defendant’s ID number is unknown, a lawsuit may still be filed as long as the plaintiff provides other information sufficient to distinguish the defendant from others, such as the defendant’s full name, address, age, etc., so that the court’s case-filing division can identify the defendant.
However, in such cases where the ID number is unavailable, after the case is filed, service of process may only be made personally by court staff or by postal service; service by leaving the documents at the defendant’s residence or public notice service is not permitted. If personal service or postal service fails, the action shall be dismissed.