The Sheriff is entitled to his/her fee for service whether the service is successful or not pursuant to Gov § 26720, 26736, 26738, & 26746.

***A fee increase will take effect 1/1/2024.***

Fees must accompany the request for service. We do not process "piece mail." Any check or document that is not mailed together will be returned.

A fee deposit is required when attempting to serve a Summons Complaint UD with a Prejudgment Claim of Right to Possession.

The additional funds are to have on account in case we serve any identified occupants. It is a best practice to notify our office at the time the request is submitted of how many adult individuals are living on the premises. If you are not sure, a guestimate is sufficient.

The fees should be made at the time the request is submitted. If we do not have the funds on account and we serve identified occupants, the proofs of service you need to move forward with your case will be delayed until we receive the required funds. If funds are not used, they will be returned.

***A court ordered fee waiver is allowed for this service.***

In addition to fees for service and fee deposits, an additional deposit may be required to execute a levy. Levy deposits are estimates of costs based upon the combination of statutory fees and anticipated expenses related to performing a particular type of levy. 

Additional deposits may be required to offset the actual expenses related to the handling of inventory, moving, safekeeping of property and conducting execution sales.

A deposit, sufficient to pay the costs of seizing and storing property, is a prerequisite to the performance of any levy by the Sheriff’s Civil Unit. Any portion of the deposit that is not used will be refunded to the judgment creditor. Any deposits paid and used by the Sheriff’s Civil Unit to execute the levy will increase the total amount to satisfy the judgment.

***A court ordered fee waiver cannot be used for payment on levy deposits. ***

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit only accepts the following forms of payment:

• Business check-the name of the business or business entity must be clearly identified on the check. The check must include an address.
  
• Cashier’s Check
  
• Money Order
  
• Cash (do not send cash in the mail)-It is helpful to try to have exact change.
  
• Granted court order to waive fees-a fee waiver must be presented and turned over as any form of payment every time a service is requested.

Any court process and notice that is to be served in any proceedings before any court. There is a fee to serve any type of document that falls in this category. See “payment type” for acceptable payment options.

*Examples of common services (non-enforcement) served:

***Please contact an attorney for legal advice or the court for more information.***

The Civil Unit only serves restraining orders we do not issue them. If you are looking to get a restraining order issued, you must contact County Superior Court. The court can issue several types of restraining orders. The Civil Unit can serve your granted restraining order free of charge. However, there are exceptions.

Examples of common restraining orders served and exceptions:

***Please contact an attorney for legal advice or the court for more information.***  

A Writ of Execution for Possession of Real Property must be ordered and issued by the court to proceed with an eviction (lockout). See Fees & Service Type and Evictions for more information.

***Please contact an attorney for legal advice or the court for more information.***

A valid writ (pre-judgment or post judgment) must be ordered and issued by the court. A levy enforcement is a means to satisfy a judgment. An enforcement action is used to collect property (real or personal) or possession. See Fees & Service Type and Levy Enforcement for more information.

***Please contact an attorney for legal advice or the court for more information.***