The Civil Process Unit accepts legal documents for service, such as notices of small claim, petitions for dissolution, summons, complaints and more. Due to unit staffing shortages, a first attempt at service may take several weeks. The number of attempts made is determined by how much time we have to serve and our ability to locate the person(s) you wish to have served. Our office typically does not serve in the evenings or on weekends and we require payment of our fees in advance.

Information Needed to Serve

To more effectively assist you, we will need to know information about the person(s) to be served. Information needed includes addresses, physical description, phone numbers, dates of birth (if known), hazard information, and service deadlines and requirements. You may use the Service Contact Information Sheet to provide us with this information (if unable to view, use this pdf version). It is your responsibility to provide this information to our office. We are unable to attempt service without a valid, physical address; we cannot serve papers at a P.O. Box. It is important to note that we do not guarantee service.

Fees charged

ALERT:  Mileage rate increase for 2024

Click on this link for fees effective February 20, 2024. Updated fees for restitutions in Seattle metro and elsewhere in King County found by clicking here.

Fees are payable in advance. Acceptable methods of payment are cash, check, or money order. No 2nd party checks are accepted. Check or money order should be made payable to "King County Sheriff." 

Effective July 3, 2023, ACH (eChecks) and Debit/Credit cards will be accepted ONLY at the King County Courthouse (516 Third Ave, Seattle) Location. 

• Fee for ACH (eCheck) payments - flat fee $1.00 per eCheck processed
• Fee for Credit/Debit cards - 2.35% of the total due, with a minimum fee charge of $2.00

Related Information

• Small Claims Forms
• District Court Home Page
• Protection Orders
• Superior Court Home Page
• Superior Court Clerk Home Page  

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. In-person assistance available 10:00am to 2:00pm.