Civil Process: Process Services

Civil process is carried out by members of the sheriff’s Legal Services Division. In this capacity, they handle a large volume of paperwork in connection with the processing and service of Summons and Complaints, Notices of Motion, Orders to Show Cause, Subpoenas, Writs of Replevin, Writs of Possession and Writs of Execution. For further information, call 973.829.8068.

Mailing Address/Location of the Legal Services Division

All general correspondence and requests for service should be sent to the following mailing address:

Morris County Sheriff’s Office
Legal Services Division
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900

If you are having papers sent via some type of overnight service, the physical address of the Legal Services Division is 560 West Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.

If you are delivering papers in person, please be aware that at the present time, performing an address-based location lookup using one of the third party mapping web sites (provided by Google, MapQuest, etc.), will result in an incorrect location being shown for our building. For an accurate rendering of our location (based on latitude/longitude) and to obtain directions, view this interactive Google map.

Instructions and Procedures for Service

Service and mileage fees

Two fees are associated with civil process—the fee for the actual service of papers and a mileage fee.

The service fee varies depending upon the number of defendants served. Mileage fees are calculated per address and for each attempt of service.

Both sets of fees are subject to change therefore, we have not included them on this web site and instead, suggest that you obtain them from the New Jersey Lawyer’s Diary. Payment of these fees must accompany your request for service; checks should be made payable to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Some types of service associated with writs require an additional fee in the form of a commission. These rates can also be found in the New Jersey Lawyer’s Diary.

Service types and paperwork requirements

The following table shows what paperwork should be sent for each type of service being requested. Please note that all services also require a letter stating the name and address of the party/parties to be served.

Service	What to Send…
Summons and Complaint	the original summons PLUS two copies one copy of the complaint for each defendant being served
Notice of Motion	the original notice PLUS two copies for each defendant being served
Order to Show Cause	the original order PLUS two copies for each defendant being served
Subpoena	the original subpoena PLUS two copies for each defendant being served
Writ of Replevin	the original writ with the seal PLUS two copies
Writ of Possession	the original writ with the seal PLUS two copies
Civil Warrant	the original Warrant for Arrest with the seal a copy of the Order for Arrest a description of the subject and his/her location Civil warrants only: 973.285.6658
Wage Execution	the original writ with seal PLUS two copies the employer’s correct address the defendant’s social security number the last known address of the defendant
Bank Levy	the original writ with seal PLUS two copies if the defendant is an individual, the defendant’s last known address and social security number if the defendant is a business, account number or identifiers the name and address of the bank where the account is located
Asset Levy	the original writ with seal PLUS two copies a specific detailed list of personal real property to be levied upon where the property is located

Service attempts

A sheriff’s officer will make four attempts to execute the document(s), unless otherwise instructed, at which time the item will be returned to the requestor. It should be noted that additional mileage will be charged regardless of the success of the service.

Requests for re-service

To request that a document be re-served, please forward the same documents in the same quantity as specified above to our attention with a cover letter instructing that the papers are for re-service. Your original payment of the service fee will still cover service, however, you will need to submit payment once again for mileage fees. If your cover letter fails to clearly indicate that this is a request for re-service, full fees will apply.

Special Note on Writs of Execution

Certain property is exempt from execution by federal and state law, including but not limited to: clothing, welfare benefits, social security benefits, SSI benefits, veteran’s benefits, unemployment benefits, workers compensation benefits and child support benefits. Additionally, the defendant may apply to the court for a $1,000.00 exemption of personal property in writing.

Clerk’s Certificate

Clerk’s Certificates are required on documents received from Florida, California and New York. If you require a Clerk’s Certificate, please include an additional $5.00 to cover the cost of this certificate.

To inquire about the status of service, call 973.829.8068.