Civil Enforcement Bureau

The Civil Enforcement Bureau performs civil enforcement duties with integrity and without prejudice or bias in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and statutes. The Sheriff's Office's role in civil enforcement is that of a neutral party, acting only on a lawful court order.

Sheriff's Office Civil Bureau

400 County Center, 3rd Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Telephone: (650) 363-4497
Fax: (650) 363-4833

Business Hours:

Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Note: Closed between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm.

Process Service Hours:
Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)
10:30 am - 7:30 pm

Legal Admonition:

The Sheriff's Office Civil Bureau is not authorized to give personal legal advice. Any information that is provided should not be construed as legal advice. Legal advice should be requested of an attorney.

* Quick link to: Sheriff's Sales *

Types of Services & Levies

The following Civil Process Services are handled by the Sheriff's Office:

NOTE: Bank levies and wage garnishments are served by Registered Legal Process Servers and enforced by the Sheriff's Office. For a list of Process Servers, click here ».

• Evictions - $125 ($28 cancellation fee).
• Keeper Levies.
  • $225 [8 hours].
• $1,200 [48 hour Seize & Sell].
• Auto Levy* - $1,500.
• Banks, Third Party Levies [Private Process Server] $35.
• Attachment Levy [Private Process Server] $35.
• Attachments for Real Property - $150.
• Civil Bench Warrants - $120.
• Domestic Violence Restraining Orders - FREE.
• Earning Withholding Order [Private Process Server] $30.
• In Forma Pauperis [Court ordered fee waiver].
• Personal/Real Property Writs of Sale.
• Temporary Restraining Orders [Move-out Orders].
• Till Tap $85.
• Writs of Execution requiring enforcement.
• Real Property* [Writ of Execution]- $1,500.
• Writs of Possession.

Deposit only, additional fees may be required and are subject to change.

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Non-Mandated

Civil Process can be legally served by anyone over the age of 18 and not a party to the action. As an alternative, Registered Legal Process Servers may serve non-mandated papers.

The Civil Bureau DOES NOT provide service of the following non-mandated Civil Process, unless a Court Ordered Waiver is issued:

• Summons and Complaints.
• Citations / Petitions.
• Subpoenas.
• Claim of Defendants.
• Claim of Plaintiffs.
• Default Judgments.
• Dissolutions.
• Executions:
  • Bank Levies.
  • Earning Withholding Orders.
  • Rent Levies, Third Party Levies.
  • Wage Assignments [Fixed Wage Garnishment].
  • Order to Show Cause.
  • Judgments [Order of Court].
  • Notices [Notice of Court Action].
  • Statements [Foreign Support Order].

Additional Charges

The Sheriff's Office will charge for the actual expenses incurred for the inspection, checking, releasing, or any other handling of property under its custody, charge, or keeping pursuant to any process, writ, order, paper, or notice, and actual postal charges paid for mailing by registered mail or certified mail any notice or demand required or authorized by law to be sent registered mail or certified mail (26748 GC). A $12 assessment fee is collected from the judgment debtor on each disbursement of money (paid to the judgment creditor) collected under a Writ of Attachment, Execution, Possession, or Sale; excluding all child support obligation action by the District Attorney's Office (26746 GC).

General Service Information

All requests for service must be accompanied by a letter of instructions, signed and dated by the attorney of record or the plaintiff where there is no attorney. Instructions must include the name of the person being served and the address where service is to be made. For service we require:

• a copy of the document, front and back, for each person served plus an additional copy for our file.
• levies and evictions we require the original Writ of Execution and 3 copies, front and back.Please include more copies if there is more than 1 levy.
• all documents must be accompanied by the appropriate fee or a signed, court ordered waiver.

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Sales

Notices of Sheriff's Sales are posted on the public bulletin board, First Floor, Hall of Justice and Records, 400 County Center, Redwood City. Real Property sales are published in the San Mateo County Times and posted on the Sheriff's website.

The Sheriff's Office does not maintain a mailing list for auctions.

Prospective bidders should refer to Sections 701.510 to 701.680, inclusive, of the Civil Code of Procedure for provisions governing the terms, conditions, and effect of the sale and the liability of defaulting bidders. (701.547 CCP).

Disbursement of Funds

Monies received by the Sheriff for a levy are held between 10 and 30 days before being released to the judgment creditor or refunded to the judgment debtor.

Evictions

Evictions are normally posted the day after the Writ of Possession of Real Property has been received by our office. Evictions are scheduled for enforcement by their location in the county. Eviction enforcement days are:

• Tuesday - South County (East Palo Alto through Belmont).
• Wednesday - Central County (Foster City through San Bruno).
• Thursday - North County (South San Francisco, Daly City, and Coast).

The Civil Bureau will contact you or your agent to schedule an appointment to meet us at the property. Be prepared to provide the deputies with entry into the residence. A locksmith is recommended. If the defendants are present the deputies will remove them from the residence and restore the property to you. A Restoration Notice will be posted on the premises and a copy given to you for your records. After the deputy has enforced the eviction and returned possession of the property to you, report any violations by the former tenant to your local law enforcement agency.

Complete Letter of Instructions (Writ of Possession / Eviction) online.

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