Serving Process

The Sheriff's Office notifies defendants that they will be part of a legal action. This is called Serving Process or more commonly known as "serving papers".

To have a summons or subpoena served, bring or send all documents and payments to the Sheriff's Office in the county where the service is to be made. Make sure to include:

1. The original plus two copies of the summons, order of protection or process
2. A printed and completed Service of Process Intake Sheet
3. A check or money order payable to "NYC Sheriff". Fees are listed below.

Process Rules and Fees

Family Court Summonses

The Sheriff's Office must receive summonses at least three weeks before the court date. All Paternity and Support summonses are served at least eight days before a court date. There is a $52.00 filing fee for each summons.

All Family Offense summonses must be served at least 24 hours before the court date. There is no fee for serving these summonses.

Orders of Protection

If there is a scheduled hearing, the respondent must be served at least 24 hours before the court date. There is no fee for serving Orders of Protection.

All Other Summonses or Processes

The Sheriff's Office must receive a summons at least three weeks before the court date. There is a $52.00 filing fee for all other summonses or processes.
 
There is an additional $35.00 fee for each location where the summons is served after the first request (for example, at home and at work).