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 becomes involved in an eviction only after the Clallam County Superior Court issues a court order directing the Sheriff to restore possession of the premises to the plaintiff. 

An eviction, also known as a Writ of Restitution or Unlawful Detainer, is a court order requiring a tenant to vacate a residence. Evictions are governed by Washington State landlord-tenant laws. Additional information about these laws can be found at the Revised Code of Washington RCW 59.12, RCW 59.18, and RCW 59.20.

Important Notice: 

Due to unit staffing shortages and the hazardous nature of some evictions, the Sheriff’s Office requires approximately 60 days to serve and enforce a writ. Writs must include extension language or be accompanied by a court order allowing additional time for enforcement. Writs that are returnable within 10 or 20 days of issuance will not be enforced.


These documents are time sensitive. Please submit all required paperwork as soon as possible.

Documents needed

  1. Fill out Sheriff's Mandatory Data Form (form may be downloaded here.)
  2. Conformed (certified) copy of the Writ of Restitution.
  3. One non-conformed copy of the Writ for each defendant.
  4. One non-conformed copy of the Order issuing the Writ that has the judge’s signature.
  5. Personal Property Storage Form (required by state law).
  6. $175.00 advance payment. You will be billed or refunded accordingly for Sheriff’s fees over/under the $170 advance.

Once received, the Sheriff’s Office will process your court order and notify you of the scheduled date and time of the physical lockout. On the day of the lockout, the landlord is responsible for removing and/or arranging storage of any personal property, as required by law. 

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

Fingerprinting

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office provides fingerprinting service to the public Monday through Friday, 8 am until 4:30 pm.

We can capture digital fingerprint images that are printed for you on on a FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint form.  You can take that form to whomever is requesting your prints.  We can potentially submit your fingerprints through a digital submission process if the submission destination and purpose are within our machine's configuration.

Cost: Our fingerprinting service is $10.00, which includes up to 2 cards, and $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:

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

  • $80 advance deposit required: Port Angeles area.
  • $100 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:

  1. Hiring a private process server;
  2. 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. Upcoming sales will be posted below.  

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.

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