As far as I remember the german national ID already has a function to do age verification anonymous (zero-knowledge proof). have to say I am kinda okay with that solution.

<EDIT>

Okay guys, i get it :D

I’ll take it as good news that such things didn’t occur to me. Guess there is no sketchy energy in this guy, haha.

</EDIT>

Now imagine all the perfectly valid ways that a letter can be delivered but the person never sees it.

I honestly do not know a single one.
I mean, there is not really a sketchy way to do that in germany (as far i know). Such important documents are usually sent as registered mail with proof of delivery. The mailman has to confirm that he did put it in the mailbox.

You are usually given a period of a few weeks or months to respond. If you don’t check the mailbox at your registered address regularly, then it’s your own fault. From the point of view of the court, the letter was delivered. I feel that is very fair.

As a german i don’t understand what it means to “serve legal orders”. Here in Germany, if the letter lands in the mailbox where you have registered your place of residence, it is considered delivered. Why make it unecessarily complicated?