Car on a highway through open fields at dusk, the kind of drive behind out-of-state papers in South Carolina

Papers coming in, papers going out

Out-of-State Papers Served in South Carolina

Delator Field Services serves summonses and complaints issued by courts in other states on people and businesses in South Carolina, delivers foreign subpoenas once the county clerk issues them under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, and coordinates personal service outside the state for South Carolina cases. The affidavit is matched to your court's requirements.

Affidavit matched to the issuing court
UIDDA subpoenas after clerk issuance
South Carolina papers served elsewhere

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46South Carolina counties where incoming papers are served
$125Routine starting rate in York, Lexington and Richland counties
SignedAffidavit prepared to the issuing court's format
WrittenQuote confirmed before the first attempt

Quick answer

How do you serve out-of-state papers in South Carolina?

For a summons from another state, the issuing state's rules generally govern how service outside its borders must be made, so we match the delivery and affidavit to that rule. A foreign subpoena is different: it must first be submitted to the clerk of court in the county where discovery is sought under S.C. Code 15-47-120. See our South Carolina service hub.

01Interstate service

Papers Coming Into South Carolina and Papers Going Out

Interstate service has two halves. In one, a court in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee or anywhere else has issued a summons or subpoena for someone who lives or works in South Carolina. In the other, a South Carolina case needs a defendant served who now lives in another state. Each half follows different law. Our overview of serving papers in South Carolina covers the in-state methods, and this page focuses on the crossing. Counsel from outside the state can also review our intake process for law firms.

Delator Field Services serves papers for Delator Group, a firm based in Nashville, Tennessee, and has no office in South Carolina. Serves here may be carried out by vetted servers Delator contracts with under one documentation standard, and every server is at least 18 and not a party to, or an attorney in, the case. Beyond Tennessee, DFS also coordinates service in several other states, including Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia, which helps when one matter has defendants on both sides of a state line. Our Georgia process serving hub covers the closest of those.

02Summonses from other states

Serving a Summons Issued by Another State's Court

No South Carolina statute was identified that governs how a summons from another state's court must be served here. The issuing state's rules control what counts as valid service outside its borders, so the first thing we ask for is that rule. Some states allow service by any adult under the law of the place where it happens; others list specific methods or require a particular affidavit form. Tell us the rule your court uses, and we match the South Carolina delivery and the proof to it. Our page on who may serve process in South Carolina explains the local baseline.

Method choices can differ between states. South Carolina's own rule, SCRCP 4(d)(1), allows abode service with a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the defendant's dwelling, but your state may not accept that for an out-of-state serve, or may require extra mailing. We do not choose the method; counsel does, and we record exactly what was done. If the defendant is hard to reach, our service page for defendants who avoid the door explains how attempts are spread across days and hours.

Wall of colored mailbox drawers, a reminder that interstate papers often reach multi-unit addresses — Photo: KC Shum / Unsplash

03S.C. Code 15-47-100 to -160

Foreign Subpoenas Under South Carolina's UIDDA

South Carolina adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act in 2010, effective March 30, 2010, at S.C. Code 15-47-100 through -160. Under 15-47-120(A), a party must submit the foreign subpoena to the clerk of court of the county in which discovery is sought, and submitting it does not constitute an appearance in South Carolina courts. Under 15-47-120(B), the clerk promptly issues a South Carolina subpoena that incorporates the foreign subpoena's terms and lists counsel's contact information. Our South Carolina subpoena delivery service handles the serve once it issues.

Section 15-47-130 requires the issued subpoena to be served under the rules that apply to South Carolina subpoenas, which means SCRCP 45. Motions for a protective order, or to enforce, quash or modify the subpoena, go to the court in the county where discovery is to be conducted under 15-47-150. The act does not say whether a South Carolina attorney is needed for the submission, so counsel should confirm that. For a Midlands witness, the Richland County clerk sits at the Judicial Center on Main Street, and our Richland County process servers work from there.

04SCRCP 45 limits

County Rules and Witness Fees for South Carolina Subpoenas

Rule 45 has a county rule that trips up out-of-state counsel. A non-party subpoena commanding attendance at a deposition or production or inspection must be issued from, and served in, the county where the non-party resides, is employed or regularly transacts business in person. That is why the UIDDA submission goes to the clerk of the county where discovery is sought. If a records custodian works in Greenville but lives in another county, counsel must pick the right one. Our Greenville County service coverage handles many Upstate custodians.

Any person who is not a party and is at least 18 may serve the subpoena, using the Rule 4(d) or 4(j) methods. Witness fees are $25 per day plus mileage from the witness's residence to the commanded location, tendered when the witness arrives, not at the time of service. When the subpoena issues for the State or a state agency, no tender is needed. Rule 45(b)(3) calls for a certified statement of the date and manner of service, filed with the clerk when necessary. Spartanburg custodians are handled through our Spartanburg County delivery team.

05SCRCP 4(f) and 15-9-750

Serving South Carolina Papers in Another State

SCRCP 4(f) says process other than a subpoena may be served anywhere within South Carolina, and beyond the state only when a statute provides. One statute that does is S.C. Code 15-9-750: personal service of the summons out of state is equivalent to publication and deposit in the post office, needs no publication affidavit or order, and is complete on the day of the personal service. Your attorney confirms the jurisdictional basis for reaching the defendant. Where the defendant has moved to Kentucky, our Kentucky process servers can coordinate the serve.

Proof made outside South Carolina has its own rule. Under SCRCP 4(h), it may be made by affidavit before a person authorized under South Carolina law, a commissioner of deeds, a notary or a clerk of court. We prepare the affidavit so it states the date, time and place of service and the name and address of the person served, matching SCRCP 4(g). For defendants who moved north, our Virginia service hub covers that state, and for Georgia defendants our Georgia page for papers crossing the Savannah River explains how service works on that side of the line.

06Where state lines meet

Border Corridors Where Interstate Serves Cluster

Several South Carolina communities sit right against another state. I-20 crosses from Augusta, Georgia, into North Augusta in Aiken County. I-77 runs north from Rock Hill and Fort Mill toward Charlotte, North Carolina. I-85 enters from Georgia over Lake Hartwell and leaves near Blacksburg toward North Carolina, and US 17 reaches North Carolina near Little River. People in these areas often work in one state and live in the other. Our Aiken County service page covers North Augusta, and our Rock Hill process servers cover the I-77 corridor.

Border addresses also raise court questions. York County's circuit court and clerk sit at the Moss Justice Center in York, while York County Family Court is in Rock Hill at 1555 West Main Street. A North Carolina court's summons for a Fort Mill resident is filed back in North Carolina, so the York County courts play no part in it. We confirm the issuing court and its rules before quoting. Our York County delivery coverage handles Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Clover and the other York County towns.

Green and brown tree in daylight along a quiet road where a witness subpoena may be delivered — Photo: Andrew Shelley / Unsplash

07Special agents and pricing

Nonresident Motorists, Companies and What Interstate Service Costs

Some nonresidents have a statutory agent here. Under S.C. Code 15-9-350, a nonresident who drives in South Carolina is deemed to have appointed the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles as agent for service in related cases, and under 15-9-245 the Secretary of State is the agent for a foreign corporation not authorized to do business here. Counsel decides whether those routes apply. Companies that are registered here are served through their registered agent, as described on our business service page for South Carolina.

Pricing is set by county. Published Routine starting rates in South Carolina run from $125 in ten counties, including York, Lexington and Richland, to $230 in Allendale County, and the final price is confirmed in writing before the first attempt. The faster tiers multiply Routine by 1.5 (Urgent), 2 (Rush) or 3 (Same Day Rush). The South Carolina county rate finder shows every county, and the rate map covering every state DFS serves helps when one matter spans two states.

Services

Interstate Service We Handle in South Carolina

How it works

How DFS Handles Interstate Papers

01
Read the issuing rule
We ask for the rule your court applies to service outside its state, or confirm that a foreign subpoena has already been issued by the South Carolina county clerk.
02
Confirm price in writing
Before the first attempt, we put the county, the tier, the published Routine starting rate and the final price in a written confirmation that out-of-state counsel can keep with the file.
03
Serve and log
Each attempt is logged with date, local time and address, and the delivery is made by the method counsel approved, with the recipient described in full.
04
Return matched proof
You receive a signed affidavit worded for the issuing court, notarized where required, ready to file with the clerk of the court that issued the original papers.

Compare

Interstate Service Rules in South Carolina

Situation	What generally applies	Source
Summons from another state served here	The issuing state's rule for service outside its borders	Issuing court's rules
Foreign subpoena for discovery here	Submit to the clerk of court in the county where discovery is sought	S.C. Code 15-47-120
Service of the issued subpoena	South Carolina subpoena rules	S.C. Code 15-47-130; SCRCP 45
South Carolina summons served in another state	Personal service is equivalent to publication, complete that day	S.C. Code 15-9-750
Proof made outside South Carolina	Affidavit before a notary, clerk or commissioner of deeds	SCRCP 4(h)

Statewide coverage

Interstate Papers Served Across South Carolina

Interstate work clusters where highways cross the state line, but it reaches every county. Our Greer process servers cover a city split between Greenville and Spartanburg counties near the I-85 corridor, and our Myrtle Beach service page handles the Grand Strand near the North Carolina line. Papers bound for the Lowcountry go through our Charleston process servers, and Hilton Head and Bluffton papers through our Beaufort County service coverage. Each county quote, including travel to rural addresses away from the interstates, is confirmed in writing before the first attempt.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can a South Carolina process server serve papers from another state?

Yes. A summons from another state's court can be served in South Carolina, but the issuing state's rules generally decide what counts as valid service outside its borders. We ask for that rule and match the delivery method and the affidavit to it. Every server we assign is at least 18 and not a party to, or an attorney in, the case.

How do I use an out-of-state subpoena in South Carolina?

Under S.C. Code 15-47-120, the foreign subpoena is submitted to the clerk of court of the county where discovery is sought, and the clerk promptly issues a South Carolina subpoena incorporating its terms. Submitting it is not an appearance in South Carolina courts. The issued subpoena is then served under SCRCP 45. Our witness subpoena service handles that step.

Which county clerk should receive a foreign subpoena?

The clerk of court of the county where discovery is sought. For a non-party deposition, production or inspection, SCRCP 45 also requires the subpoena to be issued from and served in the county where the non-party resides, is employed or regularly transacts business in person. Counsel should match both rules before submitting. Motions about the subpoena go to the court in that county.

Do I need a South Carolina attorney to issue a foreign subpoena?

The UIDDA sections read do not say. S.C. Code 15-47-120 describes submission to the clerk and lists counsel's contact information on the issued subpoena, but it does not address whether local counsel is required. Your attorney or the county clerk can confirm current practice. We serve the subpoena once the clerk has issued it, and we do not give legal advice on issuance.

How is a South Carolina defendant served in another state?

SCRCP 4(f) allows service beyond South Carolina only when a statute provides. S.C. Code 15-9-750 makes personal service of the summons out of state equivalent to publication, with no publication order needed, and complete on the day served. Your attorney confirms the court's basis for reaching the defendant. DFS can coordinate in states such as Kentucky, Georgia and Virginia; see our Virginia process serving page.

What proof is needed when service happens outside South Carolina?

Under SCRCP 4(h), proof made outside the state may be by affidavit before a person authorized under South Carolina law, a commissioner of deeds, a notary or a clerk of court. The affidavit should give the date, time and place of service and the name and address of the person served, as SCRCP 4(g) requires. We prepare it in that form.

Are witness fees paid when the subpoena is served?

No. Under SCRCP 45, the $25 daily fee and mileage from the witness's residence are tendered when the witness arrives as the subpoena commands, not at the moment of service. No tender is needed when the subpoena issues for the State or a state agency. Out-of-state counsel sometimes assume a check must go with the papers, so we confirm the approach before the serve.

Can you serve an out-of-state company's office in South Carolina?

Yes. A foreign corporation authorized to do business here is served through its South Carolina registered agent under S.C. Code 15-9-240. For a foreign corporation that is not authorized here, S.C. Code 15-9-245 makes the Secretary of State its statutory agent. Counsel picks the route, and our South Carolina corporate service page covers the details.

Can the defendant be served on a Sunday in South Carolina?

Generally yes. S.C. Code 15-9-17 allows a process server to serve a summons, complaint or other judicial documents on Sundays, but not on someone going to, attending or returning from a church or other religious service. If your state's rules limit Sunday service for its own papers, tell us and we will plan attempts on other days instead, as our rush and same day tiers allow.

How much does it cost to serve out-of-state papers in South Carolina?

It depends on the county where the person or business is served. Published Routine starting rates run from $125 in ten counties to $230 in Allendale County, with Urgent at 1.5 times, Rush at 2 times and Same Day Rush at 3 times Routine. Your exact price is written down and agreed before anyone attempts service. Our process serving rates by South Carolina county list every figure.

Delator Group is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Work in South Carolina is managed by Delator Group leadership; Photography: Anthony Maw / Unsplash · KC Shum / Unsplash · Andrew Shelley / Unsplash. Last reviewed October 2026.

Delator Field Services · A division of Delator Group

Send Your Out-of-State Papers to South Carolina

Send the papers and the rule your court uses for service outside its state. Delator Field Services will confirm the method, the price and the timing in writing before the first attempt.

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