The service of civil processes is a core function that falls inherently on the elected Sheriff and a primary function of many Sheriff’s Offices nationwide. MCSO Field Operations Division has thirty-two civil process zones spread throughout Mecklenburg County. Field Operations deputies work rotating twelve-hour shifts and serve a variety of civil processes. Field Operations personnel, while working to serve civil processes, also serve criminal warrants, orders for arrest, and enforce traffic laws.

Civil Processes in North Carolina are served and returned according to North Carolina General Statute. The service package should include a copy of the process for the deputy to send back with the return and a service copy of the process for each respondent. The service fee is as follows:

7A-311. UNIFORM CIVIL PROCESSES FEES
In a civil action or special proceeding, except for actions brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, the following fees and commissions shall be assessed, collected, and remitted to the county.

For each item of civil process served, including summons, subpoenas, notices, motions, orders, writs and pleadings, the sum of thirty dollars ($30.00). When two or more items of civil process are served simultaneously on one party, only one thirty dollar ($30.00) fee shall be charged.

When an item of civil process is served on two or more persons or organizations, a separate service charge shall be made for each person or organization. The process fee shall be remitted to the county. This subsection shall not apply to service of summons to jurors.

For any Out of State or Federal Civil Processes submitted for service, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will supply a MCSO affidavit of service in lieu of completing an out of state or federal affidavit. All out of state or federal processes will be attempted/served pursuant to the rules of civil procedure as provided in The North Carolina General Statutes. Therefore, MCSO gathers, reports and completes civil process returns with the information required by North Carolina law and not by the laws of any other state. The cost for processes issued outside of North Carolina is one hundred dollars ($100.00) per respondent/defendant. The service package should include a service copy of the process for each respondent/defendant. Additionally, a copy of the process to be sent back with the MCSO affidavit and a self-addressed/stamped envelope is required. It is recommended to submit a cover letter, listing any pertinent service information and a list of the named processes in the packet.

The payment must be in the form of a certified check or money order (an official law firm check is also acceptable) made payable to: Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Please do not mail cash.

The process can be mailed to:
Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Attn: Civil Process
700 E. 4th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

In person deliveries should be delivered to:
Mecklenburg County Courthouse – Civil Process Suite 1325
832 E. 4th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

If delivering the process in person, Cash, Business Checks, Cashier’s Checks and Money Orders is acceptable forms of payment.

Before submitting paperwork ensure all issued paperwork is assigned file numbers, issue dates, court dates – if needed, and are electronically or hand signed by the Clerk of Court.

Generally, the Mecklenburg County Civil Process Office will need the following copies included in your Civil Paperwork Packet: (Civil Summons & Complaints, Summary Ejectments*, WRIT of Possession for Real Property*, Magistrate Summons, Subpoenas, Notice of Incompetence Orders, Special Proceedings, Etc.)

Every Packet received by the Civil Process Office must include:

a) Court Copy of the paperwork, that includes the Return of Service, that will need to be returned to the Clerk of Courts as Proof of Service.

b) Defendant’s Copy of all paperwork. We will need 1) Defendants Copy per listed Defendant. Each defendant is required to get their own copy of the paperwork.

* Summary Ejectments: (Must Include)

• 3 summons & 3 Complaints per defendant to be served.
• 1 additional Summons & Complaint to be mailed by the Civil Process Office to the defendant(s).
• 1 stamped envelope addressed to the Tenant

* WRIT of Possession for Real Property: (Must Include)

• 3 copies of the Writ of Possession for Real Property Paperwork
• 2 stamped envelopes, one addressed to the Plaintiff, and one addressed to the Tenant

The link below will access the judicial forms search engine where civil process forms utilized by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts are available: http://www.nccourts.org/Forms/FormSearch.asp

Civil Process Questions can be answered by one of our Civil Process Staff Members:

Tomeka (980) 314-5901
Sandra (980) 314-5902
Andrew (980) 314-5903
Annabell (980) 314-5904 – (Bilingual – Spanish)
Georgene (980) 314-5905 – (Funeral Escorts)
Jennifer (980) 314-5906
Tammy (980) 314-5907

The Civil Process Office is supervised by Kristie Hogbin (980) 314-5909 and Sgt. M. DeSantis (980) 314-5919.