Process Service in American Samoa (U.S.)

Serving process in American Samoa requires an understanding that as an unincorporated U.S. territory, American Samoa is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, 20 UST361. Instead, formal service often relies on the utilization of Letters Rogatory. Given the unique jurisdictional status, improper service outside of approved procedures may be deemed invalid by the courts. When beginning the discovery phase of your lawsuit, allow Ancillary to assist you in obtaining evidence abroad. When evidence is located in a foreign jurisdiction—or a jurisdiction with unique rules like American Samoa—it is essential to adhere not only to applicable state or federal rules but also to the local laws and regulations governing the territory where the evidence is situated.