When litigation is pending outside Rhode Island but discovery is required from a witness, business, or records custodian located within the state, the foreign subpoena must first be domesticated before it can be lawfully served. Rhode Island has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), which authorizes a foreign subpoena to be reissued by a Rhode Island clerk of court for service and compliance within Rhode Island.
UIDDA domestication in Rhode Island is a clerk-driven administrative process. In routine matters, no Rhode Island attorney is required to issue the subpoena, no Rhode Island civil case is opened solely for issuance, and no judge reviews the subpoena at the issuance stage.
Countrywide Process
January 27, 2026
| Question | Answer |
| Is UIDDA adopted in Rhode Island? | Yes |
| Who issues the subpoena? | Rhode Island Clerk of Court |
| Is local counsel required for issuance? | No (routine issuance only) |
| Uniform foreign subpoena form? | No statewide UIDDA form |
| Typical issuance fees | Vary by court ($160.00 to $205.75) |
| Where is it filed? | The county superior court where the witness or records are located |
| Service governed by | Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure |
A subpoena issued by another state has no legal authority over a person or entity located in Rhode Island. Domestication is required to:
Without proper domestication, service within Rhode Island is invalid and unenforceable.
Under Rhode Island’s UIDDA procedures:
A Rhode Island subpoena may require such person to produce documentary material, answer written interrogatories, provide oral testimony, or any combination of these. Such subpoena must state the nature of the conduct under investigation and the applicable provision of law alleged to be violated. The scope of such discovery is determined by the requirements of Rhode Island law and is subject to the protections and procedures applicable to such investigation.
This framework simplifies interstate discovery while preserving Rhode Island’s authority over discovery conducted within its borders. The attorney general or solicitor, or any person the attorney general deems appropriate, may issue subpoenas and delegate authority as the attorney general deems proper in connection with such investigation and such discovery.
Rhode Island has enacted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, authorizing clerks to re-issue foreign subpoenas without judicial involvement.
These rules govern:
A subpoena must state the date, place, and time at which the person is required to appear or produce material, and must notify the person of their right to be assisted by counsel.
Rhode Island does not publish a single uniform UIDDA subpoena form. Clerks typically issue a Rhode Island subpoena based on the submitted foreign subpoena.
Secure a valid subpoena issued by the originating court, including:
A written request may be required to obtain the foreign subpoena from the originating court.
Submit the foreign subpoena to the clerk of the Rhode Island court where the witness or records are located. Service of the subpoena may be completed by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, and a return post office receipt serves as proof of service. Service can be made at the person’s residence or principal place of business. Subpoenas that require a physical appearance must generally be served in person rather than electronically.
Key points:
The clerk issues a Rhode Island subpoena that:
The subpoena must be in such form as required by Rhode Island law and must specify the documentary material required. Such production of documents or such documentary material must comply with the requirements of Rhode Island law. Any such material requested or produced under the subpoena must meet these legal standards.
The Rhode Island subpoena replaces the foreign subpoena for service purposes.
UIDDA domestication is designed to allow service within Rhode Island.
Service must:
Only a person authorized to serve process may serve a subpoena, and service may be made upon a natural person or legal entity in the manner authorized or prescribed by law. If attendance is required for a subpoena, the server must tender the fee for one day’s attendance and legally allowed mileage at the time of service.
If disputes arise:
If a person refuses to comply with a subpoena in Rhode Island, the attorney general or solicitor may seek a court order by filing a petition addressed to such court for enforcement. The person compelled to respond to the subpoena may raise objections based on privilege, undue burden, or other legal grounds. Failure to comply with a Rhode Island subpoena can result in penalties including contempt of court, fines, or imprisonment.
Rhode Island does not impose a single statewide UIDDA issuance fee schedule.
Practice Tip: Always confirm current issuance fees with the clerk before submission.
| Topic | Rhode Island UIDDA Rule |
| Governing Law | Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act |
| Issuing Authority | Clerk of Court |
| Judicial Review for Issuance | Not required |
| Rhode Island Case Opened | No (routine UIDDA issuance) |
| Local Counsel Required | No (unless litigation arises) |
| Uniform UIDDA Form | No |
| Issuance Fees | Vary by court and range from $160.00 to $205.75 |
| Venue | The court where the witness or records are located |
| Service Rules | Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure |
UIDDA permits the domestication of subpoenas for:
A Witness Subpoena mandates a person appearing in court to provide oral testimony under oath, with oral testimony provided and oral testimony received in the officer’s presence. A Deposition Subpoena compels a non-party to appear outside of court to answer questions under oath and produce documents for discovery, with oral testimony served before an officer authorized to administer oaths and record testimony. During these proceedings, only persons present who are authorized may attend, and any protected material is handled according to legal confidentiality standards.
UIDDA applies to discovery subpoenas, not trial subpoenas.
| Item | Rhode Island |
| Discovery subpoenas | Yes — UIDDA applies |
| Trial attendance (out-of-state non-parties) | Generally not enforceable |
| Common practice for trial testimony | Deposition for use at trial |
| Clerk involvement | Administrative issuance |
| Enforcement venue | Rhode Island court |
Countrywide Process supports attorneys handling Rhode Island UIDDA subpoenas by:
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We handle the process efficiently and in full compliance with Rhode Island UIDDA procedures.
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Yes. Rhode Island has adopted UIDDA, allowing foreign subpoenas to be reissued by a Rhode Island clerk of court for service within the state.”
No. Local Rhode Island counsel is not required for routine UIDDA subpoena issuance. Counsel is typically only needed if objections or enforcement proceedings arise.
No. Rhode Island does not publish a single uniform UIDDA subpoena form. Clerks issue a Rhode Island subpoena based on the submitted foreign subpoena
The foreign subpoena is submitted to the Rhode Island Superior court clerk, where the witness or records are located.
Issuance fees vary by court, on average $185.00 according to R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-18 and should be confirmed directly with the clerk before submission. The same fees for witness attendance and document production apply as in the superior court system.
The Rhode Island clerk of court issues the subpoena based on the submitted foreign subpoena.
Service must comply with the Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure. A verified return by the person pursuant to the subpoena, who serves it, acts as proof of service
Yes. The attorney general or solicitor, as a state agency involving legal investigations, may delegate the authority to issue subpoenas to the state police by written agreement.
Yes. Each subpoena must notify the person pursuant to the subpoena of their right to be assisted by counsel during any criminal procedure, grand jury investigation, or civil proceeding.
No. Any documentary material, including electronic mail or other electronic form, produced under a subpoena is exempt from disclosure under the Rhode Island public records law. This disclosure exemption restrains disclosure of such materials, including trial preparation materials, interrogatory answers, and oral testimony, obtained during a grand jury investigation or grand jury arising from an alleged violation of an applicable provision of law. Such disclosure is not permitted except as authorized by law.
Disobeying a valid subpoena can result in civil contempt under criminal procedure, which may lead to fines or other penalties for the persons responsible.
Persons responsible for responding to a subpoena must produce documentary material, including electronic mail and documents in electronic form, in hard copy unless a written agreement allows otherwise. Subpoenas may require answers to interrogatories or oral testimony regarding the law alleged to have been violated, the alleged violation, or the applicable provision under investigation.
