Civil Process

DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF
CIVIL PROCESS

Civil process is defined as "the writ or mandate that serves as the means used for bringing a party to court to answer in an action or proceeding, civil or criminal." It is the responsibility of the sheriff's department to serve or execute according to law, all processes, writs, precepts, and orders issued or made by lawful authority according to Wisconsin State Statute 59.27 (4).

In a broader sense, any writ, order, notice, summons, subpoena or other document by which a court exercises its jurisdiction over the parties or subject matter of any action or proceeding, is called a process. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office serves an average of 2000 process papers a year along with posting notices throughout the county for foreclosed property. 

Only papers to be served within Douglas County will be accepted for service. Service of papers is generally attempted the next business day after received by our office. Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO's) and Injunctions will be processed immediately.

Paper service may take longer depending on the backlog of documents received. It may take anywhere from several days to a week to process after service is completed (also depending on the backlog). If you do not receive your papers back within three weeks of our office receiving them, please contact us to find out the status of your paper.

Please read the procedure and policy notes relative to the papers you wished served.  You may also benefit from additional reading in the helpful links.

Make sure to download, print and complete the Civil Process Information Sheet and submit it and your payment and documents you want the Sheriff's Office to serve.