Civil Services

Note: None of the information contained in this section should be constructed as legal advice. If you have a legal question, please contact an attorney.

The law requires that all civil processes brought to the Sheriff's Office for service must be accompanied by adequate legal instructions. The instructions must state the process to be served, the person or entity to be served, the location for service, and be signed by the attorney of the party if he or she has no attorney.

NEW: The Civil Office has moved into the main lobby of the Sheriff's Office. Please visit our main counter to take care of matters concerning Civil Services. 


Process of Service



In order for our office to properly serve documents, we must have the following items:
  • 2 copies of the documents (per defendant) to be served
  • An original signed letter of instruction which must contain the following information:
  • Name of the person(s) or business/entity to be served as on the documents
  • A physical home address for service (you may provide more than one address) and it must be located in Humboldt County
  • Any additional information that will assist in service
  • Payment must be received at the same time the documents are provided to us.  A fee is charged per person(s) or business/entity to be served. We accept cash, check, or money order.
Fee schedule
Fees:  
Earnings Withholding Orders $35.00
Writs of Possession (Evictions) $145.00
Deputy Witness Fees - Civil Subpoenas $275.00 (deposit)
Bank Levy $40.00
Personal Property Levy $100.00
Real Property Levies $2,000.00 (deposit)
Till Tap $100.00
Most other papers for service $40.00