The Civil Division serves processes and notices in the manner prescribed by law. Processes and notices include summonses, small claims documents, restraining orders, family law documents, and other notices or orders from the court. They also include evictions and levies on wages, bank accounts, and other assets.

Sheriff personnel are prohibited from using criminal investigative tactics, such as stakeouts or computer inquiries (DMV records, crime reports, dispatch logs, etc.), in relation to any civil matter. This includes “looking up” an address of someone to be served. Sheriff personnel are also prohibited from giving legal advice.

The law requires that civil processes or notices brought to the Sheriff for service must be accompanied with instructions submitted on Judicial Form SER-001. If the Sheriff is to enforce an eviction or levy with a Writ of Possession or Execution, Judicial Form SER-001A must also be included.  Wage Garnishments must be submitted with Judicial Form WG-001, Judicial Form WG-035 (if applicable), and an Electronic Writ Declaration (if the Writ was filed electronically).  The Sheriff's Office does not provide copies of judicial forms.

Service fees are required to be paid up front with each service request, unless the requesting party has a court-ordered fee waiver or the service is a domestic violence or elder abuse restraining order. The Sheriff in entitled to the fees whether service is successful or not. General service fees are $50 per service. Refer to the Fees tab for other types of services.

The Civil Division requires the appropriate number of copies to be included with each service request. A service request of a summons, small claims document, or landlord’s eviction notice requires two sets of documents for each person to be served. Any service upon a juvenile also requires two sets of documents to be served.

The Civil Division cannot guarantee successful service and does not have the resources for “around-the clock” service. If the recipient is evasive or keeps unusual hours, it may be more advantageous to enlist the services of a registered process server or private investigator.

Service requests will be processed on a first come first served basis. Documents should be received in the Civil Division no less than 10 business days prior to the last day for service. If given adequate time for processing and service, the Civil Division will make service attempts on various days and at various times during normal business hours. The Civil Division will generate either two proofs of service or two affidavits of due diligence, depending upon the outcome of the service, for the requesting party.

Notary: If the proof of service is to be notarized (sometimes a requirement for other states), please include an additional $15.

Services at a State Prison

There are three state prisons in Kings County – Avenal State Prison, Corcoran State Prison, and the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (CSATF) in Corcoran. Each of the prisons has a Litigations Office that will generally accept service on an inmate’s behalf as the inmate’s authorized agent for service. For services upon an inmate, please include the inmate’s CDCR identification number.