How far can a deposition be?

• A. Fifty miles
• B. One hundred miles away from where the person lives, works, or regularly transacts business
• C. Two hundred miles
• D. Any distance with court approval

Answer: (B)

Under federal practice, the default geographic limit for taking a deposition without court intervention is 100 miles from the deponent’s residence, employment, or regularly transacts business. This rule is meant to keep depositions reasonably convenient while still allowing coverage for witnesses who aren’t nearby. If the deposition must occur beyond that 100‑mile radius, you’d need to seek a court order to allow a farther location or arrange the deposition at a place within 100 miles.

So the appropriate answer describes a deposition within one hundred miles of where the person lives, works, or regularly transacts business. The other distances don’t fit the standard default, and while a court could authorize a farther deposition, that would be through a separate order, not the default distance itself.