Civil Process Unit

Civil Process Unit

Check the status of your civil paper

The Civil Unit responds to all legal processes directed to the Sheriff, including, but not limited to:  Writs of Execution (Real and Personal Property Sales), Forcible Entry Detainers/Evictions, notice, provisional and enforcement processes, and various other court orders/documents.

Two Civil Deputies serve process and enforces orders in Marion County.  This includes the city limits of Salem, St. Paul, Donald, Aurora, Hubbard, Woodburn, Gervais, Mt. Angel, Brooks, Scotts Mills, Keizer, Silverton, Turner, Aumsville, Sublimity, Silver Creek Falls, Stayton, Jefferson, Mehama, Gates, Mill City, Detroit and Idanha.

Online Notice of Sheriff Sales

Online Notice of Sheriff Sales - View Current Auctions in Oregon Counties.  For more information about this new method of notice, please read the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association Bulletin.

Service Fees

 Schedule of service fees

Requirements for Serving Civil Process

In order for the Sheriff’s Office to process and serve papers, we need the following:

1. The appropriate fee. If you are sending the documents in the mail, please include a check, money order, or cashier’s check.

2. A service address (physical address). We do not accept papers with a Post Office Box as the address listed for the defendant.

3. A cover letter/ letter of instructions. If you have any special instructions that the Sheriff’s Office should need, such as a description of the person to be served or any other pertinent service information, please include this in a cover letter.  Also, if you have more than one defendant listed, indicate which defendant you want served. Be specific in who you want served. If there is any doubt as to what you want the Sheriff’s Office to do, papers will be returned to you.

4. A self-addressed stamped envelope is necessary, if you want a copy of the proof of service and receipt.

5. Certified true copies of the documents, and in some instances, a court seal.
   (This office cannot give legal advice pursuant to Oregon Law)

Restraining Orders, Protection Orders

Where do I obtain a Restraining Order?

Restraining Orders are obtained through Circuit Courts. The phone number for Marion County Circuit Court is (503) 588-5105. 

How do I qualify for a Restraining Order and what are the criteria?

This information can be obtained by calling the court.

After a Judge approves a Restraining Order, how is it served and how long will it take to be served?

Restraining Orders are processed and put out for service the day they are received by our office. We rely on the relevant data section in the restraining order, which has the name, date of birth, address, and all descriptions of the respondent. The more information you provide in this section, the easier it may be for the Sheriff’s Office to complete service. Include an employment address, if applicable, and any other information that will be useful in order for us to serve.

Restraining Orders are the first priority in service documents at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. However, it may take anywhere from one day to several weeks to serve a respondent, due to the following:

1. A respondent may be avoiding service. Restraining orders are not search warrants,
   therefore, we cannot force entry into a residence.

2. We may be going to the residence at the wrong time because no information was
   provided as to the best timeframe to serve (or, it is simply unknown).

3. Deputies may be responding to emergency calls, or we may only have a limited
   number of deputies on duty.

How do I check and see if a Restraining Order has been served?

After service is completed, a petitioner will be mailed a copy of the return of service, which is also filed with the court indicating that the Restraining Order has been served. You may also contact the civil division to check service status Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours/weekends/holidays, call the Marion County Jail at (503) 588-8595. However, if you call the Marion County Jail, they will only be able to tell you if the Restraining Order has been served. They cannot provide any other information to you such as how many times the Sheriff's Office has attempted service, etc. If you need to speak to a Deputy or if you need to notify our office of the whereabouts of a respondent, call our main office line at (503) 588-5044, after hours, call our dispatch at 503-588-5032. Please remember to be patient in this process. Our Office performs due and diligent search and inquiry when serving civil process.

Please Note: Restraining Orders to be served outside of Marion County are sent to the appropriate county. Please check with the appropriate Sheriff Office for service status.

Protection Orders

If you do not meet the criteria for a restraining order, you may be able to obtain a stalking protective order. "Stalking" is defined in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 163.730 to 163.732. Keywords in the definition are "repeated" and "unwanted contact".  If you believe you are a victim of stalking and you would like to see if you could obtain a stalking protective order, contact the law enforcement agency where the stalking is taking place.

Legal Questions

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and other public safety agencies, along with Oregon Courts, are not permitted to give legal advice pursuant to Oregon Law. “Legal Advice” means telling a person how to go about court proceedings, filing, etc., speculating what the outcome in a court case would be, advising or recommending one procedure, form, or pleading over another, advising what words to put in a form or what to say in court, suggesting what you "should do", recommending the services of a specific attorney or group of attorneys, etc.  If you need legal assistance, you may try:

1.  Search yellow pages or internet for "attorney".

2. Lawyer Referral Service, Phone Number: 1-800-452-7636

3. Tel-Law Program, Phone Number: 1-800-452-4776 or www.osbar.org/public  

4. Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Location: 105 High Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301. Phone Number: (503) 581-5265, or 1-800-359-1845 https://lasoregon.org/ 

5. Law Libraries located at any Courthouse or University

6. Public Library

7. Book stores, specifically in the Law/Social Science section

8. www.OregonLawHelp.org