Sheriff is required by law to charge fees for most civil process actions. You must pay a fee deposit, in advance, from which the Sheriff will deduct fees. Fee deposits range from $35 for a wage garnishment to $3500 or more to levy on a business. The fee and fee deposit are listed in the Information Guides for each type of process service and enforcement action. In addition to the Sheriff's levy fee, other costs may include charges for moving and storage, towing, recording, publishing in a newspaper, and keepers. Any unused portion of the fee deposit is refunded. Sheriff fees are added to your judgment and increases the amount the debtor must pay to fully satisfy the case.

Signed instructions directing the Sheriff to serve process or perform an enforcement action are required. The instructions must be signed by your attorney or by you, if you don't have an attorney. A Sheriff's Instructions form accompanies the Information Guide for each type of process or enforcement action. If you do not find the type of process or enforcement action listed, you may click Sheriff's Instructions (Miscellaneous) below for a general purpose form. The Sheriff's Instructions form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Click here to download the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe.

Sheriff's Instruction (Miscellaneous) form may be used if your process or enforcement action is not listed under PROCESS SERVICE or ENFORCEMENT. Please telephone the serving Branch to ascertain the proper fee deposit amount and any special requirements for service. If your matter involves a child custody case from a court outside California, you should telephone the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Child Abduction Section (213 974-3931), which is specially funded and trained to be of assistance. Also, the Sheriff only serves judicial process and will not serve dunning or late payment notices, invoices, letters or other non-legal documents. Click for Sheriff's Instructions (Miscellaneous)