A civil lawsuit against federal government officials is served by certified mail. This is in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (i):
(i) Serving the United States and Its Agencies, Corporations, Officers, or Employees.
(2) Agency; Corporation; Officer or Employee Sued in an Official Capacity. To serve a United States agency or corporation, or a United States officer or employee sued only in an official capacity, a party must serve the United States and also send a copy of the summons and of the complaint by registered or certified mail to the agency, corporation, officer, or employee.
The above law requires to mail the defendant a copy of the summons.
However the following Western District of VA Pro Se handbook says (page 16):
Generally, if you are suing the United States Government, you must serve an original SUMMONS and a copy of the COMPLAINT on three separate parties: (1) the head of the federal agency you are suing; (2) the United States Attorney for the district; and (3) the United States Attorney General in Washington, D.C.
Question: So which one is it? Should the defendant be served with a copy or the original summons?