Civil Process 

Welcome

The members of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit carry out the Sheriff’s statutory responsibility for the service of process and execution of writs. These judicial process documents originate from the courts, governmental agencies and private attorneys in Florida and throughout the United States.

In addition, this unit also enforces levies and conducts Sheriff’s sales to aid in the collection of money judgements.

For process that is outside of the guidelines established in Florida Statute 48.031, you will need to contact a Private Process Server.

Please note that the Civil Unit does not provide legal advice or assist in the preparation of documents.

For process of service, at a minimum you must provide the St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit members with the original process or a certified copy with a copy for service for each individual and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your return of service.

The following are uniform, non-refundable fees which are charged by Sheriffs of the State of Florida for service of process and which became effective July 1, 2014 (Florida Statute 30.231).

Location and Times

Business hours of the Judicial Services Section are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and available at the following locations:

Mailing Address

 Fort Pierce Courthouse (Downtown)
St. Lucie County Sheriff Civil Unit
218 South Second Street, Suite B-215
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772) 462-3303

Payment Information

*Fees for service of process are fixed by Florida Statute 30.231 and are non-refundable. Please do not send cash through the mail under any circumstance.

If you are dropping off the payment in person you may pay with credit card, cashier’s checks, and money orders made payable to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office”.

Helpful Links

Florida Civil Rules of Procedure
Florida State Statutes
St. Lucie Clerk of Courts Frequently Asked Questions
St. Lucie County Clerk of Courts Civil & Small Claims Forms

Schedule of Civil Process Fees

* Replevin’s requiring deputy standby services beyond one hour may require an additional cost deposit of $50.00 an hour, per deputy. The St. Lucie County Sheriff reserves the right to determine the number of officers required for the standby. 

Note:  Fees are payable upon receipt of civil process. Fees are non-refundable, per Florida Statute 30.231(4). Fees are per party to be served. 

Writ of Possession Procedures

The plaintiff or plaintiff's agent will provide the Civil Unit with the following:

• Original writ, a certified copy of the writ or an electronic copy of the writ, which was signed and certified by the Clerk of Court and three (3) copies for service;
• Nonrefundable fee of $90.00, in cash, money order, cashier’s check; and
• A contact name and number the officer is to call with the date and time for the eviction.

Appointments will be made on a first come, first served basis.

The Civil Unit clerk will provide the customer with a receipt for the payment of the fee.

The clerk will prepare the appropriate paperwork and place the Writ of Possession package in the Writ of Possession box for the Eviction Officer. The Sheriff's Office will schedule the writ when presented to the Clerk.

On the scheduled day and time of eviction, the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent will meet the officer at the premises and the officer will turn possession of the premises over to this person. The only responsibility the officer has is to remove persons from the premises and maintain the peace. 

Upon delivering possession of the premises to the plaintiff or his agent, the officer will provide the plaintiff or his agent with a copy of the Writ of Possession with the date, time and the officer's signature. The officer will return the original Writ of Possession to the court with a Sheriff's Office Return.

Disclaimer: This is not to be considered as legal advice, but only to be used as a guideline.