Follow the same steps as “Service of Documents” on the main page.
Jurisdiction (Is the service address in Fresno County?):
Please make sure the address for service is in Fresno County. See https://maps.fresnosheriff.org/gisportal1/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=24fb16aae91445989dc033ee285af441 to verify the address.
Jail Service:
If the respondent is in custody with Fresno County Jail, see inmate search for jail identification (JID) and booking number. https://www.fresnosheriff.org/units/records/inmate-search.html
If the respondent is in a prison located in Fresno County, you must provide the address to the facility and any identifiers (i.e. registration number) for the inmate.
Service Document:
Pursuant to Gov §26666.2 “An order to be served, including a restraining order, bears the signature of the judge, including, but not limited to, a stamp or other endorsement or representation of the signature of a judge, certification of a clerk, or court endorsement or seal, and the information on the order materially matches the information regarding the person to be served on the form or forms described in Section 26666.10.”
The seal of the court, the judge’s signature, and the clerk’s signature is required on the Notice of Hearing and the Temporary Restraining Order for service. We will not accept your documents if any of these requirements are missing.
Serving a Minor
If your request is to serve a minor, you must provide a copy to serve the minor and a copy to serve the parent/guardian. Instructions must be completed for each person served.
Moveout & Child Custody Orders:
If the court has ordered a moveout, it is important to inform our staff, get your request in early for a timely turnaround, and to make sure the service can get to the Deputy before noon. Please do not wait until the end of the day to submit your request.
The court gives you three copies of the order: a service copy, a copy for filing with Sheriff Records, and a copy for yourself. Make sure you always keep your copy with you.
The Civil Unit’s staff and Deputies make these requests a priority; however, we are not always successful on the first attempt. If you have an emergency and need to call 911, make sure you have your copy of the order with you. Any law enforcement officer can serve your order during the service call if the respondent is present.
If the court has ordered a child turnover, it is important to inform our staff and to get your request in early. The parent ordered to receive the child(ren) must be available to receive him/her/them once the order has been executed.
Timely Service:
Most restraining orders are required to be served 5 days prior to the hearing. Our Deputies have huge caseloads and travel all over the county. If you require your documents to be served by the Civil Unit, please submit your request without delay.
Sending Your Request to the Sheriff:
It is extremely helpful to our Deputies and Professional Staff to provide our office with all the necessary information to serve your documents. Failing to provide important information makes the request to serve improbable.
You can mail or email your completed instruction form and granted restraining order. If the request is emailed it must be in a pdf format; any other attachments may be blocked by a firewall.
