Rule 2.305.Discovery Subpoena to a Non-Party

Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2.305 governs the subpoena a party uses to get testimony or documents from someone who isn't part of the lawsuit, covering how it's issued, where the non-party has to comply, how objections and motions to quash work, and how the process reaches non-parties located outside Michigan.

Full Text of Rule 2.305

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

(A) General Provisions.

(1) A represented party may issue a subpoena to a non-party for a deposition, production or inspection of documents, inspection of tangible things, or entry to land upon court order or after all parties have had a reasonable opportunity to obtain an attorney, as determined under MCR 2.306(A). An unrepresented party may move the court for issuance of non-party discovery subpoenas. MCR 2.306(B)(1)-(2) and (C)-(G) apply to a subpoena under this rule. This rule governs discovery from a non-party under MCR 2.303(A)(4), 2.307, 2.310(B)(2) or 2.315. MCR 2.506(A)(2) and (3) apply to any request for production of ESI. A subpoena for hospital records is governed by MCR 2.506(I).

(2) A subpoena may provide that it is solely for producing documents or other tangible things for inspection and copying, and that the party does not intend to examine the deponent. The subpoena shall specify whether an inspection is requested or whether the subpoena may be satisfied by delivering a copy of the requested documents. Any request for documents shall indicate that the subpoenaing party will pay reasonable copying costs.

(3) A subpoena shall provide a minimum of 14 days after service of the subpoena (or a shorter time if the court directs) for the requested act. The subpoenaing party may file a motion to compel compliance with the subpoena under MCR 2.313(A). The motion must include a copy of the request and proof of service of the subpoena. The movant must serve the motion on the non-party as provided in MCR 2.105.

(4) A subpoena issued under this rule is subject to the provisions of MCR 2.302(C), and the court in which the action is pending or in which the subpoena is served, on timely motion made by a party or the subpoenaed non-party before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance, may:

(a) quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable or oppressive;

(b) enter an order permitted by MCR 2.302(C); or

(c) conditionally deny the motion on prepayment by the party on whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the reasonable cost of producing documents or other tangible things.

The non-party’s obligation to respond to the subpoena is stayed until the motion is resolved.

(5) Service of a subpoena on the deponent must be made as provided in MCR 2.506(G). A copy of the subpoena must be served on all other parties on the date of issuance.

(6) In a subpoena for a non-party deposition, a party may name as the deponent a public or private corporation, partnership, association, or governmental agency and describe with reasonable particularity the matters on which examination is requested. The subpoena shall be served at least 14 days prior to the scheduled deposition. No later than 10 days after being served with the subpoena, the subpoenaed entity may serve objections, or file a motion for protective order, upon which the party seeking discovery may either proceed on topics as to which there was no objection or move to enforce the subpoena. The organization named must designate one or more officers, directors, managing agents, or other persons, who consent to testify on its behalf, and may set forth, for each person designated, the matters on which the person will testify. The deposition of each produced witness may not exceed one day of seven hours. The persons designated shall testify to matters known or reasonably available to the organization.

(7) Upon written request from another party and payment of reasonable copying costs, the subpoenaing party shall provide copies of documents received pursuant to a subpoena.

(B) Place of Compliance. Except for a subpoena for delivery of copies of documents only under subrule (A)(2), a non-party served with a subpoena in Michigan may be required to comply with the subpoena only in the county where the deponent resides, is employed, has its principal place of business or transacts relevant business; or at the location of the things to be inspected or land to be entered; or at another convenient place specified by order of the court.

(C) Petition to Courts Outside Michigan. When the place of compliance is in another state, territory, or country, the subpoenaing party may petition a court of that state, territory, or country for a subpoena or equivalent process.

(D) Action Pending in Another Country. An officer or a person authorized by the laws of another country to issue a subpoena in Michigan, with or without a commission, in an action pending in a court of that country may submit an application to a court of record in the county in which the subpoenaed person resides, is employed, has its principal place of business, transacts relevant business, or is found, for a subpoena. The court may hear and act on the application with or without notice, as the court directs.

(E) Action Pending in Another State or Territory. A person may request issuance of a subpoena in this state for an action pending in another state or territory under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, MCL 600.2201 et seq., to require a person to attend a deposition, to produce and permit inspection and copying of materials, or to permit inspection of premises under the control of the person.

(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, a subpoena issued under this rule may require a party or witness to appear by telephone or by videoconferencing technology. Telephonic proceedings are subject to the provisions of MCR 2.402, and videoconference proceedings are subject to the provisions of MCR 2.407.

End

Amendment History

Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.

Plain-English Summary

Parties can't just ask a stranger to the lawsuit for documents or testimony; they need a subpoena. Once every party has had a reasonable chance to get a lawyer (or with a court order before that point), a represented party can issue a discovery subpoena to a non-party for a deposition, document production, inspection, or entry onto land; an unrepresented party has to ask the court to issue one instead. The subpoena has to give the non-party at least 14 days to comply, unless the court shortens that window, and it can be limited to producing documents without live testimony. A non-party organization named in a subpoena gets to designate who will testify on its behalf, much like a corporate deposition notice, and can object or seek a protective order within 10 days rather than ignoring the subpoena outright.

Where the non-party has to show up matters too: generally the county where they live, work, do business, or where the property to be inspected sits, unless the court orders another convenient location. A non-party facing an unreasonable or oppressive subpoena can move to quash or modify it, or ask that compliance be conditioned on the requesting party covering reasonable copying costs, and the obligation to respond pauses while that motion is pending. The rule also reaches beyond Michigan's borders, letting a party ask an out-of-state court for its own subpoena, letting another state's litigant seek a Michigan subpoena for an out-of-state case, and letting a Michigan court handle applications tied to a foreign proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I subpoena someone who isn't a party to my lawsuit?

Yes. A represented party may issue a discovery subpoena to a non-party once all parties have had a reasonable opportunity to obtain an attorney, or with a court order before then; an unrepresented party must ask the court to issue the subpoena.

How much notice does a non-party get before having to comply?

At least 14 days, unless the court directs a shorter time.

Where does a non-party have to show up to comply with a subpoena?

Generally the county where they live, work, do business, or where the property to be inspected is located, unless the court orders a different, convenient place.

What can a non-party do if a subpoena is too burdensome?

Move to quash or modify it as unreasonable or oppressive, or ask the court to condition compliance on the requesting party paying the reasonable cost of producing the documents. Responding to the subpoena is on hold until that motion is decided.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.305). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: non-party subpoena Michigandiscovery subpoena Michiganmotion to quash subpoena Michigan