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Civil Process Service

Resources and Documents

The Sheriff Office’s Civil Process Case Management System lets users track the progress of paper service for a Writ of Possession, Civil Protection Order, etc.

Out-of-County Service Instructions

When documents are filed within the state of Ohio and you are requesting service in Lucas County, state law requires that the original document to be filed in the clerk’s office of the court that has jurisdiction prior to processing for service.

Send two “stamped” and complete sets of the summons, subpoena, order or other documents: one to be served and a copy to be used for a return with our affidavit for service. Send to the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Civil Branch at the address listed below. You will be billed on the document return for the processing service according to the fees set by the state of Ohio. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Please provide Instructions for service indicating “personal or residential” service.

  • “Personal” service is defined as “being served in hand” only to the person or company to be served.
  • “Residential” service is served to anyone of suitable age or discretion residing at the service address who can sign for the receipt of the document.

We will attempt service and complete the return for your files. Please allow up to three or four weeks for service and return.

For cases where an affidavit of indigence is filed in the Clerk of Courts, a copy of the “affidavit of indigence” needs to be included for the fees to be waived.

Mail civil process documents to:

Lucas County Sheriff’s Office
Civil Branch
Lucas County Court House
700 Adams Street
Toledo, OH 43604

Out-of-State Service Instructions

When documents are filed outside the state of Ohio and you are requesting service in Lucas County, state law requires that a certification form to be completed for “out-of-state” service. The original copy of the signed certification form must be mailed to the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division at the address listed below.

Along with the certification form, which is required to be mailed to our office, please send a complete set of the summons, subpoena, order other documents to be served and a copy to be used for a return with our affidavit for service.

Please provide Instructions for service indicating “personal or residential” service.

  • “Personal” service is defined as “being served in hand” only to the person or company to be served.
  • “Residential” service is served to anyone of suitable age or discretion residing at the service address who can sign for the receipt of the document.

Include your certified or cashier’s check (a law firm check also is acceptable) in the amount of $25 for each person to be served. If you are sending papers for a second defendant to the same address to be served at the same time, the fee for serving those papers will be an additional $12. No personal checks will be accepted. Make your check payable to “Lucas County Sheriff’s Office” and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

We will attempt service and complete the return along with an “Affidavit for Service.” Please allow up to three or four weeks for service and return.

Mail completed original certification form and related document to:

Lucas County Sheriff’s Office
Civil Branch
Lucas County Court House
700 Adams Street
Toledo, OH 43604

For further questions about civil process service, please call 419-213-4786, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.