El Dorado
County
General Contact Number: (530) 621-5567

Services

Civil

The Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit assists citizens by enforcing civil court judgments and serving documents related to civil court processes; such as levies, evictions, restraining orders and attachments to real and personal property. A Senior Sheriff’s Technician will process legal paperwork for service and schedule evictions. Civil/Coroner Detectives will personally serve documents and effectuate evictions.

PLEASE NOTE: The Sheriff's Office Civil Staff, although highly trained, are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. You are always encouraged to consult an attorney specializing in civil matters for help. The Civil Division will not accept legal process that has been altered with correction fluid/tape.

Personnel is available to answer process related questions during regular business hours at:

Placerville Office
(530) 621-5665
200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, CA 95667
Mondays through Friday 08:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.
Closed for lunch from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

South Lake Tahoe Office
(530) 573-3014
1360 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Monday through Friday 08:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.
Closed for lunch from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.


Civil Resources, Information and Links:

FORMS:

Per CA CCP 262, The Levying Office must receive originally signed written instructions for all service requests. Please use the most current Judicial Council forms. www.courts.ca.gov

  • Bank Levy Instructions: State required instructions (you complete) accompany your Court certified Writ of Execution and Fee to attempt collection of a civil debt by levying a debtor's bank account.
  • Unlawful Detainer Instructions: State required instructions (you complete) accompany your Court certified Writ of Possession and Fee to complete the process of eviction.
  • Real Property Levy Instructions: State required instructions (you complete) accompany your Court certified Writ of Execution, Sale, Attachment, or Possession and Fee to Levy, Sell, Attach, and/or Seize Real Property of a Judgment Debtor. 
  • Temporary Restraining Order Instructions: State required instructions (you complete) accompany your Court certified Temporary Restraining Order (and sometimes fee) to attempt service on the restrained party.
  • General Instructions: State required instructions (you complete) accompany Civil Service Processes and Fees for Services that have not been mentioned above.  As El Dorado Sheriff's Office is a Limited Service facility, please call to verify your documents will be accepted. 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
AS A LANDLORD, HOW DO I EVICT A TENANT?

A Guide for Landlords and Tenants is available at https://landlordtenant.dre.ca.gov/pdf/resources/CaliforniaTenantRenterGuide.pdf

To determine if your case is a Small Claims or Limited Civil, go to http://courts.ca.gov/1062.htm

A Deputy Sheriff will perform an eviction only after a court order and writ have been issued.

SOMEONE OWES ME MONEY, HOW CAN I COLLECT?

To determine if your case is a Small Claims or Limited Civil, go to http://courts.ca.gov/1062.htm

I HAVE A JUDGMENT AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY, HOW CAN I COLLECT?

A Writ authorizes and commands the Sheriff to take action on the debt. There are several methods to collect judgment through the Sheriff’s Office:

  • Attach Wages
  • Levy (seize) Bank Accounts
  • Attach Real and Personal Property
  • For a guide and more ways to collect your judgment, go to http://courts.ca.gov/1179.htm

Once you obtain your Writ and decide how you want to collect, the Sheriff’s Civil Unit can help you proceed.

MY WAGES ARE BEING ATTACHED! HOW CAN I REDUCE OR STOP THE GARNISHMENT?

Your employer was given a packet of paperwork for you when the garnishment was served. Read your packet carefully and completely. You may be eligible for a Claim of Exemption.

The Claim of Exemption form is available online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/wg006.pdf

The Claim of Exemption must be accompanied by a Financial Statement, found online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/wg007.pdf

MY BANK ACCOUNT HAS BEEN LEVIED! HOW CAN I CONTEST THIS?

The Sheriff’s Civil Unit mailed you a packet when your bank account was levied. If you did not receive a packet, we most likely do not have your current address. If you did not receive a packet, call the Sheriff’s Civil Unit as soon as possible.

The packet contains information regarding exemptions. Read your packet carefully and completely. If you qualify for a Claim of Exemption, there is a time limit to apply. Refer to your packet for details.

A Claim of Exemption form is available online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/ej160.pdf