Civil Process
Professional Service of Legal Documents
About Civil Process
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is responsible for serving court papers. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Summons
- Subpoenas
- Protective Orders
- Sheriff Sales
- Evictions
- Orders to Appear
Fees and Requirements
Indiana Code 33-37-5-15 requires payment of Service of Process by Sheriff to be paid to the Clerk of Courts.
- $28.00 service or process fee shall be collected one time per case after judgement
- $60.00 fee shall be collected for non-Indiana cases in which service of process by Sheriff is requested
Required Information
In order to serve the papers, a physical address is required along with a valid mailing address, including a post office box, if applicable.
Civil process documents with incorrect information, incomplete information, wrong county for service, or where the person is not located at that address, will be returned to the court as "Not Found in Bailiwick" and the service of process fee will not be refunded.
Commonly Used Legal Terms
Summons
An order or command to attend or appear in court, particularly to respond as a defendant to a charge
Subpoena
A written legal order directing a person or business to appear in court to give testimony or to produce records
Order
A command or direction from the court to appear or perform a duty or duties for the court
Notice
An announcement of information given to defendants as a warning of intention to end a particular agreement
Injunction
A writ or order from a court prohibiting a person from carrying out a given action or ordering a particular action to be taken
Eviction
The process of removing a tenant or renter from a leased premise by legal procedure, as for failure to pay rent
Execution
A writ or order issued by a court giving authority to put a judgment into effect
Judgment
A debt or other obligation resulting from a court order
Order to Appear
An order from the court directing a defendant to appear in person in said court on a particular date and time
Garnishment
A notice ordering a person not to dispose of a defendant's property or money in his possession pending further settlement of a lawsuit
Guardianship
Paperwork from the courts, legally appointing a guardian to take charge of the affairs of a minor or an incapacitated person
Restraining Order
An order from the court directing the defendant to refrain from abusing, harassing, disturbing the peace of, or committing battery or bodily injury upon the plaintiff
Sheriff Sale
A court order directing the Sheriff's Department to sell defendant's property (usually real estate) to satisfy judgment owed to the plaintiff
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I do with court paperwork that has been left at my door and is not for me or anyone that lives with me?
A: Contact the sheriff's office at 260-925-3365
Q: How can I e-file?
A: Click on this link to access online court services:
www.in.gov/courts/servicesQ: Who do I contact about initiating court action?
A: For questions on initiating court action, contact the DeKalb County Clerk of Court at 260-925-0912
Contact Civil Process Division
Phone
If you have any questions regarding the sheriff's role in serving civil process paperwork:
260-925-3365Ask for the civil process division
Office Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office serves summons, subpoenas, protective orders, sheriff sale notices, evictions, orders to appear, injunctions, garnishments, guardianship papers, and restraining orders. A physical address is required for service of all documents.
Per Indiana Code 33-37-5-15, the fee is $28.00 per case collected after judgment for in-state cases. For non-Indiana cases, a $60.00 fee is collected when service is requested. Fees are paid to the Clerk of Courts, not the Sheriff's Office.
Service times vary depending on the type of document and the ability to locate the individual. A valid physical address is required. Documents with incorrect or incomplete information will be returned as 'Not Found in Bailiwick' and the service fee is not refunded.