Civil Enforcement

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office serves as a ministerial officer of the court. Our Civil Process Unit prepares the service and execution of court orders, including small claims, domestic relations papers, subpoenas, child support, and protection orders. Civil deputies and civilian support staff ensure that court processes are promptly served and accurately recorded.

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    Serving papers

    Due to low staffing levels, if you are requesting service by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, expect a delay in service of your documents.

    To request service of papers by the MCSO Civil Process Unit, send the following items to our office:

    Instructions for Service 

    Must include address located in Multnomah County where service can be made and your address to provide a copy of the court return. Click on this link.

    Documents for Service

    Documents for service can be delivered to MCSO Civil in the following ways:

    • In person: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at 3083 NE 170th Place, Portland OR 97230
    • By mail: 2955 NE 172nd Place, Portland OR 97230
    • By email: civiloffice@mcso.us – Send us a quick email with the requested service address and your contact information, and we’ll send you Instructions for Service to return along with your service documents. Please include your fee waiver if granted one by the court. If paying for service, payment can be taken over the phone by credit card.
    Fee for Service

    We accept cash (exact change), business check, cashiers check or money order made payable to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.  We can also accept credit card.

    Fees for Civil Process are set by State law (ORS 21.300) or county ordinance and depend on the service required as outlined below.

    Notice Process: Summons and complaint with or without attachments, small claims notices, eviction summons and complaint, notice of restitution, citation, subpoena, orders to show cause, posting sales notices, etc.

    1-2 parties (same address)  $50
    3 parties (same address) $84
    4 parties (same address) $112
    5 parties (same address) $140
    Additional parties (same address) $28

       

    Writs of Garnishment    $25
    Writ of Execution in Judgement of Restitution $89 (plus notice process fees)
    Enforcement Actions $89
    Writs of Execution for Property Sale:  
    Real Property $330
    Personal Property $150
    Conveyance of Real Property $56
    Protective orders. Orders of Assistance No charge
    Folio Fee (per document) $4

      See full Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Master Fee Schedule here.

    • You can check the status of civil papers being served by MCSO by visiting the Civil Case Status website.

    Restraining, Stalking or Extreme Risk Protection Orders

    Apply for or check on Restraining, Stalking or Extreme Risk Protection Orders

    A petition for a protective order may be made using any of the following methods:

    • In-person hearings at the Multnomah County Courthouse located at 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • By telephone through the Gateway Center at 503-988-6400
    • By telephone through Volunteers of America at 503-802-0506
    • Online through the court’s website.

    Additional information about restraining orders and how to obtain them can be found here:

    Evicting a tenant

    Eviction is a court process where a landlord sues a tenant for possession of the premises. The Sheriff's Office may serve legal papers related to the court case. If the court rules against the tenant, and the tenant does not comply with the court's orders, the court may issue a writ to have the sheriff's office physically evict the tenant.

    More information may be found at the Oregon State Bar.

    Contact us

    • Civil Process Unit

      Speak to someone by phone Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and  1 p.m. to 3 p.m.