Service of Collision Summons & Complaint

The SCDMV assists attorneys who need to serve Summons and Complaints to drivers and/or motor carriers who do not live in this state. 

Your request must include:

• A $40 check, made out to the SCDMV, for each defendant being served.
• One filed copy of the Summons and Complaint for the SCDMV Office of General Counsel and one filed copy of the Summons and Compliant for each defendant being served. For example, if 2 defendants are to be served, three filed copies of the Summons and Complaint must be provided: one for the SCDMV Office of General Counsel and one for each defendant to be served.
• Out-of-state address:  The plaintiff must provide the correct address for the out-of-state driver or motor carrier. The SCDMV does not provide addresses for the out-of-state driver being served.

You must send additional copies, addresses, and fees for multiple services on a single defendant. If more than one out-of-state address is being provided, submit an additional set of pleadings for each additional address, plus a check in the amount of $40 for each address provided. For example, for one defendant with two addresses, send an $80 check, plus a third copy of the pleadings.

Do not include any pleadings other than the Summons and Complaint. The SCDMV will only serve the Summons and Complaint on the defendant. All other pleadings will be returned to you.

You can mail documents to the address below via regular or certified mail, or they can be hand-delivered. The SCDMV must receive the pleadings within the statute of limitations.

Documents returned to the SCDMV as refused or undeliverable will be returned to the plaintiff.

To request assistance, please contact:

SCDMV
Office of General Counsel
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0020
Fax: 803-896-9901

SC Code Sections 15-9-370 and -380