Civil Process

About

A Civil Process is a process that is issued in a civil lawsuit. A civil lawsuit is one action that is brought to enforce, redress, or protect a private or civil right. It is a non-criminal litigation. It may be served by a sheriff or other authorized person for service of process, called a process server.

Evictions

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office only becomes involved in evictions after a court order has been issued to the Sheriff. Please view the Landlord-Tenant section if you have not yet been issued a court order.

The Sheriff's Office needs your court order the day it was issued from the court! These documents are time-sensitive.

Once you have been issued a court order for eviction, also known as a Writ of Restitution, bring your documents to the Sheriff’s Office to start the eviction process.

Documents needed

Conformed (certified) copy of the Writ of Restitution.
One non-conformed copy of the Writ for each defendant.
One non-conformed copy of the Order issuing the Writ that has the judge’s signature.
Personal Property Storage Form (this form is new as of July 2008 and is required by state law).
$100.00 cash or check advance payment; (credit or debit cards not accepted) (You will be billed or refunded accordingly for Sheriff’s fees over/under the $100 advance).

You will be asked to fill out an intake form when you bring your documents to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office will process your court order and notify you of the date and time of the physical lockout. You, the landlord, are responsible to move personal property or arrange storage, if necessary, on the day of the physical lockout.

Please call the Civil Deputy with additional questions at 360-417-2266 or by email.

Fingerprinting

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office provides a fingerprint service to the public.

If you have not confirmed it already, ask the organization that is requesting your fingerprints which type they will accept: Inked or Livescan. Some places will only accept inked cards; some will allow your fingerprints to be scanned and printed onto a card. If you choose Livescan, we cannot electronically submit your fingerprints.

Regardless of the method by which your fingerprints are obtained (inked or scanned), you will be given printed cards. It is your responsibility to send them where they need to go.

You must know which type of fingerprints to get; we cannot decide for you.

Inked prints

Monday through Friday, limited from 1 pm to 3 pm, excluding courthouse holidays. Limited to 3 individuals per day. First-come, first-serve basis. No reservations accepted.
Inked Fingerprinting service is completed inside the Jail, and children are not permitted. If you have children that need supervision while you are being printed, please bring someone who can provide this service to your children. Unsupervised children are not permitted in the Jail Lobby.

LiveScan prints

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4:30 pm, excluding courthouse holidays.

Cost: Come to the Sheriff’s Office lobby to pay for fingerprinting services and obtain fingerprint cards, if not already provided. $10.00 for up to 2 cards, $3.00 for each additional card. Cash, check, or debit/credit card (card transactions incur an additional fee).

Please call the Civil Desk with additional questions at 360-417-2265.

Landlord-Tenant

Landlord-Tenant situations are often non-criminal in nature and are most often handled through attorneys and the court system.

Please understand that per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), commonly known as state law, RCW 2.48 and RCW 26.28.110 prohibit the Sheriff's Office from practicing law, which includes offering legal advice. Personnel of the Clallam County Sheriff's Office are not permitted to offer any advice or information involving Landlord-Tenant relationships other than that which is listed below:

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office only becomes involved in evictions after a court order has been issued to the Sheriff.

Options in pursuing an appropriate court order may include but are not limited to the following:

Contacting an attorney
Through the yellow pages
Washington Bar Association; Toll-free number: 800-945-9722
Attorney General’s Office
Civil Legal Aid
Acting Pro Se (as your own attorney), which includes your own research and implementation of the legal process (examples: law library, public library, internet)

Service of process prior to a court order does not constitute the actual eviction. An actual eviction takes place, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office, after a court order is obtained. Please view the above Evictions section for further information.

Process of Service

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office can be hired to serve documents (process) to an individual or business. Sheriff’s deputies serve process as they have time, between calls for service, on a non-emergent basis. This time frame can take upwards of 1 to 2 weeks or longer.

Acceptance of your documents for service does not guarantee service due to several variables (For example, cannot find individual, individual out of town, individual moved), but the Sheriff’s Office will do its best to accomplish service as time allows.

Rates

$60 advance deposit required: Port Angeles area.
$75 advance deposit required: Sequim and West End areas.

You will be billed for any fees incurred above the advance amount and refunded for any fees incurred below the advance amount.

Cash and personal checks are accepted (sorry, no credit or debit cards).

Other options for service of process may include, but are not limited to:

Hiring a private process server;
Court rule 4, "...by any person over 18 years of age who is competent to be a witness in the action, other than a party.” A return of service must be provided to the court. We recommend you review the law to ascertain if your paperwork may be served in this manner.

For more information on the service of process, please call the Civil Desk at 360-417-2265.

Sheriff Sales

Sheriff’s Sales for real property are advertised in the legal section of the local newspaper for four weeks prior to sale. They are also posted on the bulletin board in the front lobby of the courthouse, near the main entrance doors: 223 E 4th Street, Port Angeles, Washington.

Sales are held on Fridays at 10 am in the front lobby of the courthouse. Please check the Sheriff's Office online calendar for exact dates.

Note:

Not all sales held at the courthouse on Fridays at 10 am are Sheriff's Sales, some sales are held by private firms.
Sheriff’s Sales for personal property are not advertised sales.