Serving papers
Due to low staffing levels, if you are requesting service by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, expect a delay in service of your documents.
To request service of papers by the MCSO Civil Process Unit, send the following items to our office:
Instructions for Service
Must include address located in Multnomah County where service can be made and your address to provide a copy of the court return. Click on this link.
Documents for Service
Documents for service can be delivered to MCSO Civil in the following ways:
- In person: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at 3083 NE 170th Place, Portland OR 97230
- By mail: 2955 NE 172nd Place, Portland OR 97230
- By email: civiloffice@mcso.us – Send us a quick email with the requested service address and your contact information, and we’ll send you Instructions for Service to return along with your service documents. Please include your fee waiver if granted one by the court. If paying for service, payment can be taken over the phone by credit card.
Fee for Service
We accept cash (exact change), business check, cashiers check or money order made payable to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. We can also accept credit card.
Fees for Civil Process are set by State law (ORS 21.300) or county ordinance and depend on the service required as outlined below.
Notice Process: Summons and complaint with or without attachments, small claims notices, eviction summons and complaint, notice of restitution, citation, subpoena, orders to show cause, posting sales notices, etc.
| 1-2 parties (same address) | $50 |
| 3 parties (same address) | $84 |
| 4 parties (same address) | $112 |
| 5 parties (same address) | $140 |
| Additional parties (same address) | $28 |
| Writs of Garnishment | $25 |
| Writ of Execution in Judgement of Restitution | $89 (plus notice process fees) |
| Enforcement Actions | $89 |
| Writs of Execution for Property Sale: | |
| Real Property | $330 |
| Personal Property | $150 |
| Conveyance of Real Property | $56 |
| Protective orders. Orders of Assistance | No charge |
| Folio Fee (per document) | $4 |
See full Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Master Fee Schedule here.
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You can check the status of civil papers being served by MCSO by visiting the Civil Case Status website.
Restraining, Stalking or Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Apply for or check on Restraining, Stalking or Extreme Risk Protection Orders
A petition for a protective order may be made using any of the following methods:
- In-person hearings at the Multnomah County Courthouse located at 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- By telephone through the Gateway Center at 503-988-6400
- By telephone through Volunteers of America at 503-802-0506
- Online through the court’s website.
Additional information about restraining orders and how to obtain them can be found here:
Evicting a tenant
Eviction is a court process where a landlord sues a tenant for possession of the premises. The Sheriff's Office may serve legal papers related to the court case. If the court rules against the tenant, and the tenant does not comply with the court's orders, the court may issue a writ to have the sheriff's office physically evict the tenant.
More information may be found at the Oregon State Bar.
Judicial | Non-judicial foreclosure sales
State law requires all Oregon sheriff’s offices to publish legal personal property and real property notices online.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office advertises all sales after a sale date is establish through the judicial process. Sales are published to the MCSO Property Sales blog and Oregon State Sheriffs Association portal.
If you have additional questions please e-mail MCSO: realproperty@mcso.us or contact by phone between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 503-988-0512. Please be advised we will not be able to provide any legal advice.
Contact us
Civil Process Unit
Body
Speak to someone by phone Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Address
- (503) 988-0512
Phone
- civiloffice@mcso.us
Emails