About Motion for Service by Publication
This motion asks the probate court to order service by publication in a newspaper on persons whose identity or address the form says cannot be ascertained, and includes a proposed order.
When you'd use it: The form is for use when the person to be served has an unknown identity or address and the filer requests that summons and notice be published in a newspaper.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Motion for Service by Publication is published as a PDF by the South Carolina courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Motion for Service by Publication (PDF) →
Source: sccourts.org
Link last checked: November 5, 2026
How to file Motion for Service by Publication in South Carolina
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Motion for Service by Publication (122ES) when the form is for use when the person to be served has an unknown identity or address and the filer requests that summons and notice be published in a newspaper. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — South Carolina probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Motion for Service by Publication carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Motion for Service by Publication to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the South Carolina county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).