How to Pay Fees to the Kern County Sheriff's Office: Accepted Methods, Limits, and Penalties

The Kern County Sheriff's Office Civil Section accepts cash (currency), coins (with strict limits), money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks, and credit card. Money orders and cashier's checks are your safest bet - they avoid the restrictions that can trip up personal checks.

Paying with cash? Two things to know. First, don't mail it - the Civil Section explicitly says not to send cash through the mail. Second, coins are only accepted up to one roll per denomination per transaction. Show up with a jar of quarters and you'll be turned away.

• ✓ Use a money order made payable to Kern County Sheriff (KCSO), and make sure it’s filled out completely.
• ✓ Use a cashier’s check made payable to Kern County Sheriff (KCSO).

Personal checks must be payable to Kern County Sheriff (KCSO) and pre-printed with the maker's name and address. The date has to be current, and the maker must be a party to the action - no third-party checks. One more thing: out-of-state personal checks aren't accepted.

A bounced check costs you $35.00. If you're watching your budget, that fee can turn a routine payment into a real headache.

• ✓ If there’s any chance a personal check could be returned, consider paying by money order instead (payable to Kern County Sheriff (KCSO) and filled out completely).
• ✓ A cashier’s check (payable to Kern County Sheriff (KCSO)) can also help you avoid the $35.00 returned-check fee.

Coins are accepted, but only up to one roll per denomination per transaction. Bring more than that and the extra will be rejected - your payment won't go through until you provide another form of payment.

• ✓ Pennies: up to 50 ($0.50)
• ✓ Nickels: up to 40 ($2.00)
• ✓ Dimes: up to 50 ($5.00)
• ✓ Quarters: up to 40 ($10.00)
• ✓ Half-dollars: up to 20 ($10.00)
• ✓ Dollar coins: up to 20 ($20.00)

All fees must be prepaid. The only exception is if you have a valid court-issued fee waiver at the time of service.

One thing to understand: the sheriff doesn't guarantee successful service. You're paying for the attempt and the process, not a guaranteed outcome. The fee is owed whether or not service is completed.

Expecting a refund? Amounts of $10.00 or less won't be issued.

If you pay cash, don't expect a receipt on the spot. The Civil Section mails receipts to the address on file.

Credit card is listed as an accepted payment method, but the published information doesn't explain how it works - whether you can pay in person, by phone, or online. Call the Civil Section to confirm the process before you count on using a card.