Serving process

To have a summons or subpoena properly served, follow the submission requirements below.

Submission requirements

Submit the documents below to your local Sheriff’s Office by mail or in person.

1. Provide the original summons, order of protection, or process along with two copies.
2. Complete a Service of Process Intake sheet.
3. Include a check or money order payable to "NYC Sheriff" to cover the applicable fees.

Process rules and fees

Family court summonses:

The Sheriff's Office must receive family court summonses at least three weeks before the court date. Paternity and support summonses are served at least eight days before the court date. There is a filing fee of $57.00 for each summons.

All family offense summonses must be served at least 24 hours before the court date, and 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 all other summonses or processes at least three weeks before the court date. The filing fee for these summonses or processes is $57.00.

Additionally, there is an extra $35.00 fee for each location where the summons is served after the initial request. This may include serving at home and at work, for example.