General Process Services

Bench Warrants

Service fee varies based on California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) code warrant is issued under. Please view the Fees for Services (PDF) or you may contact our office if you have any questions on the fee required for serving your bench warrant. Please make checks payable to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

We must have the original warrant and 1 copy. All Bench Warrants must be received directly from the issuing court or if issued in another county then from the other county's sheriff's office.

All bench warrants must be received with a Letter of Instruction: We must have the Attorney's or the Plaintiff's, if not represented by an attorney, original "wet" signature on the Letter of Instruction. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

Civil Subpoena

The service fee is $40 per person or entity. Please make checks payable to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

We must have 2 copies as 1 is used as your letter of Instruction. Please make sure the address for service is listed on the subpoena. We require the original signature of the attorney on 1 of the subpoenas or a separate letter of instruction must be provided with the original signature of the attorney and must include the required information for service. (Access the Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX) for a copy of our form.)

Once service is complete, whether successful or unsuccessful, we will generate a Proof of Service and mail it to the address on the Letter of Instruction.

Civil Subpoena on Law Enforcement

The service fee is $40 per person or entity with an additional deposit of $275. Please make checks payable to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

We must have two copies as one is used as your letter of Instruction. Please make sure the address for service is listed on the subpoena. We require the original signature of the attorney on one of the subpoenas or a separate letter of instruction must be provided with the original signature of the attorney and must include the required information for service. (Access the Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX) for a copy of our form.)

For service of a Civil Subpoena for 'certain peace officers and other designated state and county employees' (see Government Code 68097.2[b], and CCP 1987), an additional deposit is required at the time of service and it may be refunded if the officer is excused from appearing.

Once service is complete, whether successful or unsuccessful, we will generate a Proof of Service and mail to the address on the Letter of Instruction.

Order to Show Cause

The service fee for an Order to Show Cause is $40 per person / entity to be served. Please make checks payable to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

Along with the service fee please include a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff if represented, and one copy of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

These documents must be served 16 court days prior to the hearing (unless Court Ordered Shortening Time). Please get your service documents to us in enough time to allow the Sheriff's office to make service attempts (add 5 calendar days for our service attempts and if mailing please add an additional 3 calendar days).

Plaintiff's Claim & Order to Defendant to Go to Small Claims Court

The service fee is $40 per person or entity we are serving. Please make checks payable to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

For service we need a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff, if represented, and 2 copies of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

You must provide 2 copies per person or entity we are serving as this service can be Sub-served on the 1st attempt.

We must serve 21 days prior to the court date, allow the Sheriff's office additional 5 days for our service attempts, and if mailing please add an additional 5 days (a good 30 days total).

Request for Order

The service fee for a Request for Order is $40 per person/entity to be served. Please make checks payable by check to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

Along with the service fee please include a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff if represented, and one copy of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

These documents must be served 16 court days prior to the hearing (unless the court Ordered Shortening Time). Please get your service documents to us in enough time to allow the Sheriff's office to make service attempts (add 5 calendar days for our service attempts and if mailing please add an additional 3 calendar days).

Summons & Complaint Services

The service fee for a Summons and Complaint is $40 per person/entity to be served. Please make checks payable by check to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

Along with the service fee please include a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff if represented, and two copies of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

You must provide 2 copies per person we are serving as this service can be Sub-served on the 3rd attempt.

Summons & Petition Services

The service fee for a Summons and Petition is $40 per person to be served. Please make checks payable by check to BCSO (Butte County Sheriff's Office) or we accept cash (in person only).

Along with the service fee please include a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff if represented, and two copies of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

You must provide 2 copies per person we are serving as this service can be Sub-served on the 3rd attempt.

Temporary Restraining Order - Domestic Violence / Civil Harassment / Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse

There is no fee for the Sheriff to serve Temporary Restraining Orders.

For service we need a Letter of Instruction, all LOI must have an original "wet" signature of the Plaintiff or Attorney for Plaintiff, if represented, and one copy of service documents. You may use our Letter of Instructions (LOI) for "General" Services (DOCX).

Please read through your documents for what documents you need to have served to the defendant as well as to verify if there is enough time for service of your documents, The NOH/TRO must be served at least 5 days before the hearing, unless shortened by the court, and the Sheriff's Office needs time for processing and to make 2 to 3 attempts. (If sending documents by mail, please allow additional time for us to receive the documents.)

The Notice of Court Hearing form (DV-109/CH-109/EA-109) will instruct you on which forms must be served, however, in some cases, you will have other, additional documents not listed, it is up to you to know which forms must be included in the service packet.

You may browse for the forms you need on the California Courts Forms page, you can go to the Court's Family Law Division or Civil Division to get the Restraining Order Packet, or you may also seek help through the SHARP Offices here in Oroville by calling 530-532-7015 or at the Chico location at 530-532-7024.

Generic Service Request

The service fee for service of "judicial" documents is $40 per person/entity to be served.