Civil Process Fees at Kings County Sheriff’s Office: What You’ll Pay Upfront

The Kings County Sheriff's Office Civil Division charges fees for most civil services - and by law, those fees must be paid before they'll process your request (Government Code 6103.2). No payment, no action. Budget accordingly.

• ✓ Cash
• ✓ Check (payable to “Kings County Sheriff’s Office”)
• ✓ Money order (payable to “Kings County Sheriff’s Office”)

General civil process service costs $50 per person served. Serving multiple people? Multiply accordingly.

Civil bench warrant service runs $175. This is separate from any other civil process fees you might owe for the same request.

Some requests require hefty deposits upfront. A vehicle levy (transfer of possession) costs $2,000 total - broken down as a $125 fee plus a $1,875 deposit. Have the full amount ready before you submit.

Real property levies require $3,000 upfront, listed as "various fees + deposit." Budget for the full amount when preparing your paperwork - not just a smaller service fee.

A Writ of Possession (Eviction) costs $180. Add this as a separate line item when calculating your total.

Bank levies cost $50 per bank. Multiple banks means multiple fees.

Notary service through the Civil Division is $15. Small, but easy to overlook when tallying your costs.

Two fees that come up in certain enforcement situations: keeper service (8 hours) at $300, and till tap at $125.

Some services are free. The Sheriff doesn't charge to serve domestic violence or elder abuse restraining orders. For civil harassment restraining orders, the fee may be waived if the court orders it.

Got a court-ordered fee waiver? The Civil Division will accept it - but the details must match. The case number on your waiver has to match the case number on the documents you're serving, and the waiver must be issued to the person requesting service.

Budgeting Checklist

• ✓ Count how many people must be served and budget $50 per person for general civil process.
• ✓ If you’re requesting a vehicle levy (transfer of possession), plan for $2,000 up front ($125 fee + $1,875 deposit).
• ✓ If your request involves a real property levy, budget $3,000 up front (listed as various fees + deposit).
• ✓ Double-check whether you’ll also need other add-on services listed above (for example, writs, bank levies, notary, keeper, or till tap) so you’re not surprised at payment time.
• ✓ Bring an accepted form of payment: cash, check, or money order.
• ✓ If paying by check or money order, make it out exactly to “Kings County Sheriff’s Office.”