OVERVIEW:
The Civil Department has a very broad function at the Lake County Sheriffs Office. We currently employ seven clerical positions plus our seven Civil Deputies that complete our department.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
The main function in the Civil Department is to serve process, which includes non-enforceable papers and enforceable papers. The office staff receives and processes the paperwork for the deputies to serve. The majority of our papers are non-enforceable. Currently the non-enforceable papers average 1700 a month and the enforceable papers average 300 a month.

Quick attention to this paperwork is the Civil Departments number one priority. The Civil Department is also responsible to the public, either in person at the Sheriffs Office or by telephone, to give the most current information and updates on service and to clearly explain our policies and procedures, which are created based upon the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Judicial Administration and the Florida Statutes. However, the department does not have attorneys and with that, we are not able to give legal advice.

FEES:
The below fees are charged by the Civil Department.
NOTE: Fees are earned upon receipt of Civil Process when each "Request of service" is made, and by Florida Statute these fees are non-refundable. Fees are based on Florida Statute and each service fee is per party served on Non-Enforceables. Fees must be cash, money order or business checks. NO PERSONAL CHECKS OR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS.

Non Enforceables:
Summons, Subpoenas, Notices, Garnishments, Notices of Tax Sale and all other non-enforceables including alias and pluries
*The Lake County Sheriff’s Office does not serve out of state non-enforceable papers. You must contact a process server to serve these papers. You can find a list of all certified process servers certified through the court system at http://www.circuit5.org
$40.00


Enforceables:
Writs of Replevin, Writs of Bodily Attachment and Writs of Possession
$90.00


Levy Minimum Cost Deposits:
Vehicles, small boats and small trucks
$2,800.00
Large trucks and large boats
$3,000.00
Real Property
*The advance cost deposits may be more substantial if additional cost must be incurred such as locksmith, electrician, heavy equipment operator, etc. However, the cost deposit includes the following statutory fees.
$1,500.00
Personal Property (i.e. Household or Office Furnishings)
*Deposit amounts will vary depending on the quantity and size of the items being levied upon. A complete inventory list will need to be seen by the Levy Clerk of the Civil Department before an amount is determined


Sheriff's Fees for Levy:
Sheriff's levy or demand of property
$50.00
Preparing Newspaper Advertisement
$40.00
Certified Mail to all Parties
cost will vary
Holding Sheriff's Sale
$40.00 per sale
Bill of Sale or Sheriff's Deed
$40.00 each
Satisfaction of Judgment
$40.00
Filing/Recording fee
actual clerk fees
Processing Writ and Preparing File
$40.00
**Filing fee paid to Clerk of Court and is required for both notice and release of levy PLUS – Actual expenses incurred for newspaper advertisement, storage, haulage and $30.00 per hour per officer stand-by fee. Actual costs may be more or less. After costs and fees are paid for the levy, the balance of cost deposit is refundable.

Please make business checks and money orders out to Lake County Sheriff's Office.

DOCUMENTS AND FEES CAN BE MAILED OR HAND DELIVERED AS FOLLOWS: (MON - FRI, 8:30AM - 5:00 PM) TO:
For hand delivery (Mon - Fri, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm excluding legal holidays) come to:
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Located in the Historic Courthouse
317 W Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
2nd Floor at the Civil Window
To mail send to:
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Civil Department
360 W Ruby Street
Tavares, FL 32778

LEVY SALES:
Information on any current Sheriff's Levy Sales can be located in our Public Notices section.