Civil FAQs

How do I utilize the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit for service of my documents?

Pursuant to CCP 262, all requests for service or levy must include a signed letter of instruction to the Sheriff. 

See “Civil Forms” on the home page for a list of specific instruction forms provided for your convenience.

The Sheriff is entitled to his/her fee for service whether or not the service is successful. Gov § 26736 & 26738. See “fees and form of payment for service” on the home page and to download the fee schedule.

Forms of payment include:

• Business check

• Cashier’s check

• Money Order

• Cash (not by mail)

• Granted Court Order to Waive Fees

If you would like the Fresno County Sheriff's Civil Unit to attempt service of your documents, please include the following: 

• Documents for service (appropriate number of copies)

• Completed Instruction Form (specific to the type of service)

• Payment (forms of payment listed above)

Please refer to the main civil page for mailing addresses and/or hours of operation.

 

What types of documents will the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office serve?

The Fresno County Sheriff's Civil Unit is a neutral third party; therefore, we remain impartial between each party requesting service. Unlike some counties, the Fresno County Sheriff's Civil Unit is a full-service county. Our office serves civil process in the manner prescribed by law. Civil process includes:

• Summons & complaints (2 sets to serve per person)

• Summons & petitions

• Small claims documents for a civil lawsuit (2 sets to serve per person)

• Restraining orders

• Bench warrants

• Evictions 

• Any other notice or order from the courts

We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles, or any asset of the judgment debtor. 

The Sheriff’s Civil Unit is not connected to the civil court and we do not handle civil disputes or civil crimes. All civil disputes or civil crimes should be directed to the agency the address is assigned to (City PD/County Sheriff-not civil unit).

 

When will my wages be garnished?

Garnishments will typically start the first pay check after valid service of the Earnings Withholding Order has taken place.

The Civil Unit collects $12.00 from every garnishment processed so please take that into consideration when figuring out total funds credited toward monies owed.

How do I cancel an eviction?

To cancel any eviction after the sheriff has received the writ of possession, the attorney of record or plaintiff, if pro per, must submit a signed and dated instruction form requesting the lockout process to be terminated. No one other than the attorney of record or plaintiff if pro per may cancel a lockout.

A reminder that the eviction will take place on the date specified after 6:00am and that we only give out specific times to plaintiffs and their attorneys.

How do I get assistance with evictions?

For assistance with the eviction process you should consult an attorney. The "Helpful Links" section on the Civil page of this site contains links to both the California Courts Self Help Center and the California Department of Consumer Affairs.