Civil Process FAQs

We serve the communities located in Essex County Massachusetts. Click here for a full list of Massachusetts communities and the offices which serve them.

1. If the court paperwork is out of state you reside in, you can send the paperwork to us, along with the required prepayment of $100.00, and a filled out Pro Se Information Sheet.
   1. Pro Se Sheet – English
   2. Pro Se Sheet – Spanish
2. If the paperwork is out of a Massachusetts court, please send in the original court documents, a filled out Pro Se Information Sheet (PDF), and the required prepayment. Please contact the office for prices.

If you need something served, you have a few options, based on the type of paperwork you have. You can bring it to one of our offices (whichever is easier for you to get to), you can mail it in to us (USPS, FedEx, UPS), or you can email the service, however we can only take certain types of services via email:  civilprocess@essexsheriffma.org

Bringing it in?

• If it is paperwork from a court, we need the ORIGINALS with the court seal
• There will be a form at the office for you to fill out with your information for us
• We require prepayment (Visa, Mastercard, check, or money order – NO cash)
  • Please note – we do not require prepayment for attorneys

Mailing it in?

• We need a cover letter/note that contains:
  • Your name, address, phone number
  • The name and address of the person/place we are serving
• The original paperwork from the court or the original documents you want served
• Prepayment if you are not an attorney – 2 options
  • You can send in a check or money order (call us for the amount)
  • We can call you once we receive the paperwork and take a payment over the phone

Want to email it?

• We can only take certain services over email
  • If the court emailed you the paperwork
  • Paperwork with an electronic seal from the court
• The email must contain:
  • Your name, address, phone number
  • The name and address of the person/place we are serving
  • How you would like to pay for it

Diligent Search means the Deputy Sheriff made a strong attempt to complete service on the requested party but was unable to do so. The most common reason for a Diligent Search usually involves incorrect address information, a party that has recently changed residences, a business closing or refusal to accept service.

You may call the office, and we will gladly update you with the status of your service or you may email the office. Link to email: civilprocess@essexsheriffma.org

1. If you are going to bring the paperwork in, you can bring it to whichever is easier for you.
2. If you are going to send it in, you can send it to either office. The work being served in northern part of the county is done out of our Lawrence office and the southern part is done out of the Salem office. However, we are one entity with two offices, so either one works.

1. Visa or Mastercard **
2. Money Order (payable to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department)
3. Check (payable to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department)

** If you send your paperwork to us, we can take payment over the phone. Once we receive the documents we can call you for payment. Please make a note on the cover sheet if that is what you would like us to do.