UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE DIVISION

PNC BANK, N.A., etc.,

Plaintiff, v. CASE NO. 3:25-cv-905-JEP-SJH

GLOBAL DIRECTORIES, INC., et al.,

Defendants. ________________________________/

ORDER THIS CAUSE is before the Court on Plaintiff, PNC Bank, N.A.’s Motion for Entry of Default by Clerk Against Defendant Michael Smith (“Motion”). Doc. 13. Proper service is a prerequisite to entry of a clerk’s default. See Smith v. Dep’t of Revenue, No. 6:24-cv-2121-JSS-RMN,

, at *1 (M.D. Fla. May 12, 2025). The return of service on which the Motion relies, Doc. 12-1, does not comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l)(1) as it is not in the form of an affidavit (or declaration under penalty of perjury). See Smith,

, at *2; Ethos Grp., Inc. v. JAB Media LLC, No. 3:22-cv-485-TJC-LLL,

, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 6, 2023). Accordingly, the Motion (Doc. 13) is denied without prejudice. On or before January 16, 2026, Plaintiff shall file proper proof of service on Defendant Smith. DONE AND ORDERED 1n Jacksonville, Florida, on December 19, 2025.

[Z J. Horovitz United States Magistrate Judge

Copies to: Counsel of Record