Civil Process Information

Service fees, where to mail papers for service, court time limits for service, city address locator

"All process of the circuit court in said city of St. Louis...shall be directed to and executed by the sheriff of said city." (RSMo. 57.470

The Sheriff's Department receives over 65,000 court papers per year for service. These include city, foreign, garnishment, property tax, juror, and ex parte orders of protection papers.

We serve only those defendants who reside or work in St. Louis City. To verify if an address falls within our service jurisdiction, search for your address on the Address and Property Search page.

Service Fees

Service Fees Effective April 8, 2013
 Services Fees
Summons $36.00
Landlord Summons - Service & Posting at Same Address $36.00
Landlord Summons - Service & Posting at Different Address (fee per address) $36.00
Order $36.00
Notice $36.00
Motion $36.00
Subpoena $36.00
Execution - General $36.00
Execution - Landlord $36.00
Garnishment $36.00
Writ of Attachment and Summons $36.00
Writ of Attachment and Summons with Garnishment $36.00
Order of Publication - Unlawful Detainer $36.00
All Process $36.00
Notarizing of Signature $2.00
Summons (Cases filed outside of Missouri - Includes Notary Fee) $38.50
Subpoena (Cases filed outside of Missouri - Includes Notary Fee) $38.50

Payment

Make checks payable to St. Louis City Sheriff, and send all paperwork to:

Sheriff's Office Civil Process
Civil Courts Building - 8th Floor
10 North Tucker Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63101

All fees must be paid in advance.

Civil Process can be reached at 314-622-4851 during regular business hours:  Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RSMo 57.280.2 allows Sheriff to charge a surcharge for service of writs. The sheriff shall be allowed for each mile, going and returning from the courthouse of the county in which he resides to the place where the court is held, the rate prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service for all allowable expenses for motor vehicle use expressed as an amount per mile. Starting on April 8, 2013 the surcharge will be six dollars ($6.00) for each process. The $6.00 is included in the above fee schedule.

For more information or to check service call 314-622-4851.

Court Time Limits for Service

  • Papers without a court date, including Circuit Court Summons, have 30 days from the date of the court seal. (Missouri Supreme Court Rule 54.21)
  • Associate Circuit Court Summons have to be served 10 days before the court date.
  • Papers dealing with rent have to be served 4 days before the court date.
  • Serve or Post papers have to be served 4 days before the court date or have to be posted 10 days before the court date. (Missouri Revised Statute 535.030)
  • Post only summons have to be posted 10 days before the court date.
  • Order of Publications have to be posted 10 days before the court date.
  • Subpoenas may be served anytime before the court date.

We serve only those defendant who reside or work in the City of St. Louis. To verify if an address falls within our jurisdiction, check the city address and property information search.

For more information or to check service call 314-622-4851.

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