How to Pay the Kern County Sheriff's Civil Section: Accepted payment methods and mailing rules
This covers payments to the Kern County Sheriff's Civil Section for civil process and related service fees. It does not apply to jail or inmate account payments. If you're trying to add money for commissary or phone time, you'll need a different set of instructions.
Your safest bet is a money order or cashier's check. Both need to be payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)." Money orders must be filled out completely. Cashier's checks follow the same payee requirement.
Heads up: The Civil Section does not accept debit or credit cards. Cash is accepted only if you appear in person at the counter.
Coins are limited to the equivalent of one roll per transaction: 50 pennies ($0.50), 40 nickels ($2.00), 50 dimes ($5.00), 40 quarters ($10.00), 20 half-dollars ($10.00), and 20 dollar coins ($20.00).
Personal Checks and Returned Checks
- ✓ Use a personal check that is pre-printed with the maker’s name and address.
- ✓ Date the check with a current date.
- ✓ Make sure the check maker is a party to the action (third-party checks are not accepted).
- ✓ Do not use an out-of-state personal check (out-of-state personal checks are not accepted).
Returned check fee: There is a $35.00 fee for returned (bounced) checks.
Do not mail cash: Do not send cash through the mail to the Kern County Sheriff Civil Section.
For mailed payments, use a money order or cashier's check. Make them payable to "Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)," and fill out money orders completely so they don't get kicked back or delayed.
Coins are capped at one roll per transaction: 50 pennies ($0.50), 40 nickels ($2.00), 50 dimes ($5.00), 40 quarters ($10.00), 20 half-dollars ($10.00), and 20 dollar coins ($20.00). Realistically, coins are a poor choice for mailed payments. The limits are tight, and you risk losing them in transit.
All fees must be prepaid. The only exception is if you present a valid court-issued fee waiver from a State of California court at the time of service.
Refund limit: There is no refund for an amount of $10.00 or less.
The sheriff does not guarantee service and is entitled to the fee whether or not service is successful. Even if papers can't be served, you won't get that fee back. That's why getting the correct prepayment amount and using an accepted payment type matters.
- Call the Civil Section at (661) 635-1300 - verify the fee and requirements for your particular service before you submit payment.
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