How to Pay Fees to the Kern County Sheriff's Civil Section: Accepted payment methods and mailing rules

The payment rules might seem strict, but they exist to keep processing consistent. This guide covers the Civil Section's accepted payment methods, the exact payee name to use, and the mailing restrictions that get payments rejected - especially around cash, coins, and personal checks.

For the smoothest experience, use a money order or cashier's check. Make either one payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)." With money orders, fill out every field completely - don't leave the purchaser information blank.

Personal checks work, but only under specific conditions. The check must be pre-printed with the maker's name and address and dated with the current date. The person who wrote it (the "maker") must also be a party to the action - third-party checks won't be accepted. One more catch: out-of-state personal checks aren't accepted. If you're paying from outside California, go with a money order or cashier's check payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)."

Coins have limits: the Civil Section won't accept more than the equivalent of one roll per transaction. If you're thinking about mailing coins, stay within that cap - otherwise you risk a delay or rejection.

The Civil Section is strict about personal checks. Yours must be pre-printed with the maker's name and address and show a current date. The maker must also be a party to the action - you can't have a friend, relative, or business write a check on your behalf. Out-of-state personal checks aren't accepted either. If your bank account is outside California, skip the personal check and use a money order or cashier's check payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)."

Returned personal checks come with a $35.00 fee. Before mailing a check, confirm the account has sufficient funds and that the check meets all the Civil Section's requirements. A bounced check means extra cost and extra delay.

The Civil Section doesn't accept debit or credit cards. Cash is accepted at the counter in person, but never mail it. For mail-in payments, stick to money orders, cashier's checks, or an eligible personal check - all made payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)."

Fees must be paid up front. The Civil Section requires prepayment unless you have a valid court-issued fee waiver at the time of service. Keep the refund rule in mind: there's no refund for amounts of $10.00 or less. If you overpay by a small amount, don't expect that balance back.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Use an accepted payment type: money order, cashier’s check, or an eligible personal check.
• ✓ Make money orders payable to “Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)” and fill them out completely.
• ✓ If you pay by personal check, use one that’s pre-printed with the maker’s name and address, dated with the current date, and written by a party to the action (no third-party checks).
• ✓ Don’t mail cash.
• ✓ If you’re using coins, stay within the Civil Section’s limit of the equivalent of one roll per transaction.
• ✓ Prepay all fees unless you have a valid court-issued fee waiver to present at the time of service.