Service areas · SC
Process Serving in South Carolina
Order service of process in South Carolina online. You see your price before you submit, a verified process server near the address takes the job, and every attempt is tracked with notes, time, GPS location and photos.
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Overview of service of process in South Carolina
South Carolina civil cases are heard in the Circuit Court, which includes the Court of Common Pleas for civil matters. Magistrate courts handle civil cases within their statutory jurisdiction, and the state is divided into judicial circuits and counties. A case’s court, claims, and service requirements determine which procedure applies. Court Runner USA connects you with process servers who serve papers across South Carolina.
General information, not legal advice. Last checked October 2026.
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Who can serve documents in South Carolina
Licensing or registration requirements
A summons may be served by the sheriff or deputy, or by another person who is at least 18 years old and is neither an attorney in nor a party to the action. The rule does not require a private summons server to obtain a court appointment. Service of other process generally must be made by a sheriff, deputy, another duly constituted law-enforcement officer, or a person designated by the court who meets the same age and nonparty, nonattorney requirements. Subpoenas are governed by a separate rule. For service involving minors, people who are legally incompetent, and confined persons, Rule 4 prescribes additional recipients or procedures. The rule describes statewide qualifications; verify the applicable court’s directions for the specific case and document.
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Accepted methods of service
Personal, substituted, mail and other methods
For an individual, Rule 4 allows personal delivery, delivery at the person’s dwelling or usual abode to a resident of suitable age and discretion, or delivery to an agent authorized by appointment or law. Corporations, partnerships, and qualifying associations may be served through an officer, managing or general agent, or authorized agent. Rule 4 also provides procedures for service on state agencies, governmental subdivisions, and certain protected classes. For eligible individuals and entities, summons and complaint may be sent by certified or registered mail with restricted delivery, return receipt requested, or by a qualifying commercial delivery service. Statutory service provisions and court orders may prescribe other methods. The Secretary of State may accept process for an entity only in limited circumstances authorized by law; the state office provides a searchable registered-agent and office database.
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Time limits and rules for serving
A civil action is commenced by filing the summons and complaint when service is completed within the statute of limitations. If service is not completed within that limitations period, Rule 3 requires actual service no later than 120 days after filing. The defendant generally must serve an answer within 30 days after service of the complaint, unless the court directs otherwise for service made under Rule 4(e). A motion under Rule 12 can change the time for a responsive pleading. Rule 5 requires proof of service of the summons and complaint to be filed within 10 days after service. These general civil-rule periods do not replace deadlines imposed by statutes, court orders, or rules governing a particular proceeding; check the applicable case requirements.
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Restrictions on serving
Sundays, holidays and hours
A person serving a summons cannot be a party to the action or an attorney in it, and must be at least 18. Rule 5 expressly permits civil process to be served on Sunday, but prohibits serving a person who is going to or from, or attending, a regularly or specially scheduled church or religious service that day. Rule 4 requires particular procedures for service on minors under 14, certain people who are legally incompetent, and people confined in prison or a state hospital; those provisions identify additional recipients or require service by designated officials. Other statutes or court orders may set requirements for particular parties or proceedings. Process servers should follow the governing rule and any case-specific order rather than assume ordinary delivery is sufficient for a special class of defendant.
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Proof of service and affidavit requirements
The person serving process must promptly make proof and deliver it to the person or officer who issued the process. A sheriff or deputy proves service by certificate; another server proves it by affidavit. The return should state the date, time, and place of service and, where known, the name and address of the person served; if the name is unknown, it should describe that person. For mail service, the proof records the mailing date and place and includes the return receipt or returned envelope when received. Commercial-delivery service requires an affidavit identifying the documents and a delivery record containing the date, time, place, recipient, and signature evidence. The clerk files the return and supporting evidence with the pleadings. Rule 5 separately requires filing proof of summons-and-complaint service within 10 days.
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Major cities we serve in South Carolina
- Charleston
- Columbia
- North Charleston
- Mount Pleasant
- Rock Hill
- Greenville
- Summerville
- Goose Creek
- Sumter
- Florence
- Spartanburg
- Hilton Head Island
Pricing for South Carolina
Standard service is priced at the advertised client range below for one recipient at one address. The request form calculates the exact address-specific amount before you submit.
- Standard serviceOne recipient at one address · before sales tax
- $75–$135 + tax
- RushPriority speed add-on
- +$50
- Same-dayFirst attempt the same day
- +$100
- Distance / ruralFixed add-on for standard service; locations needing extra work are special quote cases
- +$60
- Mailed original affidavitOptional; PDF remains included
- +$25
- Printing beyond included pagesFirst 50 pages included, counted from your PDF
- $0.15 per page after 50
- Sales taxCalculated at payment where it applies, from the service address in South Carolina. Shown before you pay and on your receipt.
- At payment
South Carolina FAQs
Who can serve a summons in South Carolina?
The sheriff, a deputy, or another person at least 18 who is not an attorney in or a party to the action may serve it (Rule 4(c)).
Can a process server leave papers with someone at home?
For an individual, papers may be left at the dwelling or usual abode with a resident of suitable age and discretion (Rule 4(d)(1)).
Can a business be served through an agent?
A corporation or qualifying association may be served through an officer, managing or general agent, or an agent authorized by appointment or law (Rule 4(d)(3)).
How long does a defendant have to answer?
The general period is 30 days after service of the complaint, subject to exceptions and court direction (Rule 12(a)).
Is service allowed on Sunday?
Civil process may be served on Sunday, except when the person is going to or from, or attending, a scheduled religious service (Rule 5(b)(2)).
When must proof of service be filed?
Proof of summons-and-complaint service must be filed within 10 days after service (Rule 5(d)).
Can summons and complaint be served by certified mail?
For eligible defendants, Rule 4 permits restricted-delivery registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (Rule 4(d)(8)).
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