Sheriff - Serving Process
Serving legal process is a state-mandated service. The
Sheriff's Office serves and executes the various legal processes issued by and
for non-criminal State courts and its subdivisions, the legal community and the
general public. Departmental and divisional policies and procedures are
consistent with New York State and court case law. These policies are designed
and developed to insure the accurate, expeditious, and judicious service and
execution of matters relating to civil process. This includes the Civil Practice
Law and Rules (CPLR), Judiciary Law, Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), Family Court Act (FCA), etc.
The purpose of service of civil process gives a
defendant notice of the start of a legal action or a proceeding. Although any
private citizen over 18 years of age can serve process if they are not party to
the action, Sheriff's Officers, including Deputy Sheriffs, are asked to serve
process because of their professional service. Deputy Sheriffs are public
officers who help in the administration of justice.
To have a summons or subpoena served:
- Print and complete a Service of
Process Intake Sheet.
- Send or bring three copies of the legal papers,
the Service of Process Intake Sheet, and payment to the Sheriff's
Office in the county where the service is to be made. Sheriff
Office Locations
- Make check or money order payable to the "Office of the NYC Sheriff."
Form
Service of Process Intake Sheet
Download
Form
(54k)
Fee
$42.00
If service is requested at multiple locations (for example, at home and work addresses), there is an additional $25 service fee for each location after the first one.
