(a) Complaint. The proceedings in Government contests are governed by §§ 4.160 through 4.164 of this subpart with the following exceptions:

(1) No corroboration will be required of a Government contest complaint and the complaint need not be under oath.

(2) A Government contest complaint will not be deemed insufficient and subject to dismissal for failure to name all parties interested or for failure to serve every party who has been named.

(3) No filing fee or deposit toward the reporter's fee is required of the Government contestant.

(4) Any action required of the Government contestant may be taken by any authorized Government employee.

(5) The statements required by § 4.162(b)(5) and (6) need not be included in the Government contest complaint.

(6) No posting of the notice of publication on the land at issue will be required of the Government contestant.

(7) The provisions of § 4.162(f) do not apply.

(b) Service. (1) Where service is by publication, the affidavits and declarations required by § 4.163(c)(1) need not be filed. The Government contestant must file a statement with the BLM State Office demonstrating that the contestee could not be located after a diligent search and inquiry, the last known address of the contestee, and a description of the efforts and inquiries made to locate the party sought to be served. The diligent search must occur not more than 15 days prior to the filing of the statement.

(2) In lieu of the requirements of § 4.163(d)(2), the Government contestant must, as part of the diligent search before publication or within 15 days after the first publication, send a copy of the complaint by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the contestee at the last known address of record. The return receipts must be filed in the BLM State Office where the contest is pending.

(3) The affidavit or declaration required by § 4.163(e)(3) need not be filed.