How Road Runner Process Servers Works in South Carolina
What Road Runner Process Servers does
Road Runner Process Servers is a private process serving company operating in South Carolina that delivers legal documents to defendants, witnesses, and other parties involved in court cases. The company handles the physical delivery of summonses, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers—work that must be done by someone other than the person filing the lawsuit, and often by someone with specific training in how to locate and serve people correctly.
Road Runner operates as an independent contractor service rather than a government agency. They work with attorneys, courts, and individuals who need documents delivered according to South Carolina's rules for proper service. The company's role is strictly to locate the person, deliver the papers, and document that service happened—they do not represent either side of a case or give legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Road Runner Process Servers delivers court documents in South Carolina and documents proof of delivery for the court record.
- You typically hire them through an attorney or contact them directly if you are representing yourself in a case.
- The cost varies depending on the type of document, location, and how difficult the person is to locate.
- South Carolina law requires that service be done by someone who is not a party to the case and who can swear to how and when delivery happened.
- If Road Runner cannot locate or serve someone after reasonable attempts, they file an affidavit explaining what they tried.
When you might use Road Runner
You use a process server when you need to start a lawsuit, respond to one, or need someone to appear in court. South Carolina law requires that the defendant receive actual notice of the case—simply mailing papers or posting them online is not enough. A process server makes sure the person gets the papers in hand and can prove it happened.
If you are working with an attorney, they usually arrange process serving as part of their case work and bill you for it. If you are representing yourself in small claims court or another civil matter, you can contact Road Runner directly to arrange service. You will need to provide the person's name, last known address, and details about where they might be found.
How Road Runner locates and serves someone
Road Runner's process servers use the address you provide and attempt to find and serve the defendant at home, at work, or at another location where they can be found. South Carolina allows service at a person's usual place of residence, place of business, or any place where they can be found. If the person is not home, the server may try multiple times at different hours or on different days.
Once the person is located, the server hands them the papers in person and notes the date, time, and location of service. The server then files an affidavit—a sworn statement—with the court documenting exactly what happened, what papers were delivered, and how the person reacted. This affidavit becomes part of the court record and proves that service was done correctly.
If the person cannot be found after reasonable attempts, Road Runner files an affidavit explaining where they looked, when, and what they learned. The court may then allow service by another method, such as certified mail or publication in a newspaper, depending on the type of case.
Cost and how to request service
Road Runner's fees depend on the complexity of the job. A straightforward service at a known address costs less than a case where the person's location is unknown or they are difficult to find. Rush service or service in a distant county may also increase the cost. You should contact Road Runner directly for a quote based on your specific situation.
To request service, you can call or email Road Runner with the defendant's name, last known address, and any other information that might help locate them. If you are working with an attorney, your lawyer will handle this contact. If you are representing yourself, ask Road Runner what documents you need to provide and whether you can drop off the papers or if they will pick them up from you.
What happens if service fails
If Road Runner cannot locate or serve the defendant after a reasonable number of attempts, they will file an affidavit with the court explaining their efforts. This document becomes part of your case file and shows the judge that you made a good-faith attempt to serve the person properly.
When service fails, you have options. The court may allow you to serve the person by certified mail, by leaving papers at their home with a family member, or by publishing notice in a newspaper if the person has disappeared. Your attorney or the court clerk can explain which methods are allowed in your type of case. Some cases cannot move forward until proper service is completed, so it is important to work with Road Runner or the court to find a solution.
Road Runner versus other process servers
South Carolina has many process serving companies, and they vary in size, experience, and cost. Some are one-person operations; others are larger firms with multiple servers. Road Runner is one option among several, and choosing between them often comes down to price, availability, and whether they serve the area where you need papers delivered.
If you are working with an attorney, they usually have preferred process servers they work with regularly. If you are representing yourself, you can shop around by calling a few companies for quotes. Ask how quickly they can serve, whether they charge extra for rush service, and what happens if they cannot locate the person. The cheapest option is not always the best if it means service takes longer or fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I serve papers on someone myself instead of hiring Road Runner?
No. South Carolina law requires that someone who is not a party to the case serve the papers. You cannot serve your own lawsuit. However, you can be the one who hires the process server and pays for it—you just cannot be the one who hands over the papers.
How long does service usually take?
It depends on how easy the person is to find. If they are at a known address and home during business hours, service might happen within a few days. If the person is hard to locate or avoids being home, it can take weeks. Road Runner can tell you an estimate based on what you know about the defendant's location and habits.
What if the person refuses to take the papers?
The process server can still serve them by leaving the papers at their feet or nearby and documenting what happened. Refusal does not prevent service. The affidavit will note that the person refused, but service is still considered complete under South Carolina law.
Do I need an attorney to use Road Runner?
No. You can contact Road Runner directly if you are representing yourself in small claims court or another civil case. However, you will need to understand South Carolina's rules for service and what documents need to be served. If you are unsure, a brief consultation with an attorney can help you get it right.
What if Road Runner serves the wrong person?
If papers are served on someone who is not the defendant, the case may be dismissed or delayed while you arrange proper service. This is why it is important to provide Road Runner with accurate information about the defendant's name, address, and identifying details. If you are unsure whether the person served was correct, tell your attorney or the court immediately.