You cannot serve an Iowa subpoena directly in California. The subpoena must first be reissued by a California court under UIDDA. Here’s how the process works step by step, and how Countrywide Process can assist your firm.
Courts in California don’t have the authority to enforce subpoenas issued by out-of-state jurisdictions—including Iowa. To compel discovery from a person or business in California for a case pending in Iowa, the subpoena must be domesticated.
The good news: both Iowa and California are UIDDA-compliant states. That means the domestication process is administrative—no need to file a motion, attend a hearing, or hire local counsel.
The Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA) allows a subpoena issued in one state to be submitted to a clerk in the discovery state (California), who then issues a local subpoena with identical terms. The local subpoena carries the legal authority to compel testimony, records, or document production.
To domesticate a subpoena, the attorney must prepare:
Note: Countrywide Process, LLC does not prepare legal documents. We provide the correct forms and review them for completeness and accuracy after they are completed by the attorney.
The documents must be filed in the California Superior Court in the county where the witness, business, or records are located. UIDDA does not require a court appearance or legal argument.
Some counties support eFiling; others require in-person submission. Local cover sheets or checklists may also be needed. Countrywide Process can help confirm what is required for each court.
A $45.00 fee is required to file the Application for Discovery Subpoena (SUBP-030), under California Government Code § 70626(b)(5). Additional costs may apply for certified copies if requested.
After issuance, the subpoena must be served under California law:
Countrywide Process handles service of process statewide with proof of service included.
At Countrywide Process, we support attorneys by:
Either fill out our Quick Form Submission and upload your state subpoena for evaluation, Use our Subpoena Domestication Portal to create your account or call us at (888) 962-9696 for assistance today.
Q: Do I need a California attorney to file?
No. UIDDA allows for administrative filing without legal representation.
Q: What if I need documents in a specific format?
Include specific ESI or formatting instructions in your subpoena when preparing it in Iowa.
Q: How long does the process take?
Generally, 1–3 business days from submission to issuance, depending on the court.
Q: Will the court mail me back stamped copies?
We return court-issued subpoenas and proof of service once the process is complete.
Countrywide Process
June 10, 2025
