N.Y. Uniform Justice Court Act Law § 406

§ 406. Summons; service by publication authorized.\n If service cannot be made by another method with due diligence, the\ncourt, upon motion without notice, shall order service of a summons by\npublication in any action where a chattel of the person to be served has\nbeen seized in an action to recover a chattel. Practice and procedure on\nservice by publication shall be governed by the CPLR, except insofar as\nthis act otherwise provides.\n