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Civil Division

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Civil Division is charged with the statutory responsibility of serving and returning the judicial process and enforcing judgments and orders that originate from the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, County Courts, and Board of County Commissioners. 

A detailed case management system enables the Civil Section, employees to effectively and efficiently administer process serving and execution of civil writs.  Domestic Violence Injunctions, Notice of Evictions, Subpoenas, Writs of Execution and Distress Writs are examples of the types of process this section serves.  The overall effectiveness of the judicial system is dependent upon this section's efficient and expeditious service of these as well as many other types of civil process.

How to arrange for service
You can arrange for service from the Washington County Sheriff's Office by calling the Civil Division at:
(850) 638-6129

The Civil Office is open Monday thru Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at the following address:

·         1293 Jackson Avenue Building 400 Chipley , FL 32428

The mailing address is:
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Civil Division
1293 Jackson Avenue Building 400
Chipley , FL 32428

Please Note:   We serve all papers pursuant to Florida Statutes.  We make our return on our computerized Return of Service form.  We no longer serve out of state process.  

Fees for Service
The fees the Washington County Sheriff's Office Civil Division assesses for docketing and service of process are fixed by Florida Statute 30.231 and are non-refundable.  All checks must be made payable to "Sheriff of Washington County."  Documents for service not properly issued, or those with incorrect fees or incorrect payee on the check, will be returned.  No additional fees are required for "alias" or "pluries" process, provided the Washington County Sheriff's Office Civil Division has previously attempted service.  A copy of the prior return of service, however, must accompany the alias or pluries summons.

While the Civil Division serves numerous types of process, the most common of these types and their respective service fees are as follows:

All summons and Subpoenas
$40.00 for each person or entity served

Witness Subpoenas
$40.00 for each subpoena 
+  a check to the witness for fees and mileage  

Injunction for Protection
no charge

Writ of Execution (Levy)
$90.00 levy fee and contact the Civil Section for a compete list of fees and cost deposits associated with this writ.  $2,000.00 deposit for auto.  $1,000.00 deposit for real property.

Real Property Packet 

Writ of Execution Specific Instructions for Levy with legal description and physical location Copy of Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed Creditors' Affidavit (that the atty, for plaintiff, has done a title search or a personal search of the clerk of courts records in Washington County to verify the judgment liens recorded against the real property, what he found, and if found any, all the information pertaining to those liens.  And verification that no other levies are taking place at the same time.) Sufficient Cost Deposit, Addresses of all parties involved

Personal Property Packet 

Writ of Execution, Specific Instructions for Levy describing personal property to be levied upon proof of ownership, Creditor's Affidavit that atty. for plaintiff has checked the State database for Judgment Liens Certificate and what was found and that no other levies are taking place at the same time, Sufficient Cost Deposit Addresses of all parties involved The reason for the Creditor's Affidavit Payout of money from Sheriff's Sale First for Sheriff's Costs Second Cost of Levy Third $500.00 liquidation cost to moving creditor Fourth to senior lien holder Fifth to other lien holder in order of priority

Writ of Replevin
$40.00 service fee
+  $50.00 execution fee
+  $40.00 per each additional person to be served
Note:  If the replevin of property is expected to exceed 1 hour a standby charge of $50.00 per hour, per deputy is to be paid in advance

Writ of Possession (Landlord/Tenant or Foreclosure)
$40.00 service fee 
+ $50.00 execution fee
Note:  If a deputy sheriff is requested to standby for more than 1 hour, the request must be made in writing at the time the writ is presented for service, accompanied by the fee for the deputy(s) time.  The fee is $50.00 per hour, per deputy.

Writ of Attachment (Property)
Note:  Contact the Civil Division for a complete list of fees and cost deposits associated with this type of writ.

Other Fees for Service
Certain types of specialized civil process require additional service fees.  For additional details about the fees listed here, or for information about service fees not mentioned here, contact the Civil Division.

Sheriff's Sales

·         All Sheriff's Sales are held at the locations advertised once per week for four consecutive weeks in the Newspaper.

·         All items are available for viewing thirty minutes prior to the sale, excluding real property.

·         All sales are to the highest bidder cash in hand.

·         There is no time allowed to go to the bank, and only cashiers checks or money orders are acceptable other than United States currency.

·         Plaintiffs may bid the total amount of their judgment interest and costs, without cash in hand, if there are no prior writs.

·         All property sold is subject to all prior taxes, liens, prior judgments and encumbrances, as only the defendant's right, title and interest in the property is sold by the sheriff.

·         In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in the preceding should contact the individual or agency sending notice not later than seven days prior to the proceeding at the address given on notice.