INTRODUCTION

The Civil Bureau serves Civil process in the manner prescribed by law. Civil process includes summons and complaints, small claims documents for a civil lawsuit, restraining orders, bench warrants, evictions and any other notice or order from the courts. We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles or any asset of the judgment debtor. All requests for service or levy must include a signed letter of instructions to the Sheriff and a fee for service or order of the court waiving the Sheriff's fee for service. All documents must be received in our office a minimum of 10 days prior to the last day for service.

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. 

The Sheriff provides a cost effective, credible service and successfully serves most defendants. However, the case is civil in nature and the Sheriff cannot utilize criminal investigative tactics such as stakeouts or computer inquiries (DMV, arrest records, etc.) to serve process, therefore we cannot guarantee service.

FEES

Sheriff is required by law to charge fees for most civil process actions. You must pay the fee/deposit, in advance, which ranges from thirty-five dollars for a typical service to thousands of dollars to levy on a business. The fee and fee deposit are listed in the Fee Schedule for each type of process service and enforcement action. In addition to the Sheriff's levy fee, other costs may be required. These fees include charges for moving and storage, towing, recording, publishing in a newspaper, and keepers. Any unused portion of the fee deposit is refunded. Sheriff fees are added to the judgment and increases the amount the debtor must pay to fully satisfy the case. In most cases the Sheriff is entitled to their fee whether the service/levy is successful or unsuccessful pursuant to Govt. Code 26736 and Govt. Code 26738.

SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

Signed instructions directing the Sheriff to serve process or perform an enforcement action are required. The instructions must be signed by your attorney or by you, if you don't have an attorney. In order to serve civil process, we must have original signed instructions. Faxed or emailed instructions will not be accepted. All documents must be received in our office a minimum of 10 days prior to the last day for service, absent extenuating circumstances.

• Courts self-help system
• SER-001Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers
• SER-001A Special Instructions for Writs and Levies-Attachment
• ELECTRONIC WRIT DECLARATION
• FEE SCHEDULE

Contact

Rachelle Barragan, Multi-Service Officer

831-636-4080 x 439