Civil Process

Papers can be submitted to our Civil Process window at the Public Safety Building. Papers can also be mailed to: 

Dane County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Civil Process
115 W. Doty St
Madison, WI 53703

Business Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm  (excluding holidays)
Civil Process Phone - 608-284-6824

Fax Number- 608-284-6156
Deputy Service Hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (dependent on staffing) 

• Provide one copy for each person/company that is to be served.
• Provide ONE ADDITIONAL copy for office use that will be returned with affidavit(s) of service.
• Please include the Aid In Serving Form OR a cover sheet with all pertinent information that is asked on the Aid in Serving Form.
• If receiving your affidavit via mail, provide a self-addressed envelope with postage.  If you wish to have your copy of the documents returned via mail, ensure enough postage is included.  If you wish to have your affidavit emailed back to you or not have your copy returned, you may skip the self-addressed envelope.  These return options are listed on our Aid in Serving Form.

**The Dane County Sheriff’s Office cannot guarantee service especially on short notice or rush papers**

**We will not accept papers that do not meet the Court's time requirements. Papers that do not meet the time requirements will be returned to the sender. Please visit Clerk of Court's Office to review all document requirements.**

We accept a $40 prepayment for papers submitted.  If serving multiple people, we will accept a prepayment of $40 per person or entity to be served.  We ask you do not attempt to calculate mileage charges. 

Per the Dane County Board of Supervisors, the following fees are charged for service of process: 

Service Fee- We charge $40 per attempt and service will typically be attempted up to (3) times. If serving (2) people at the same address, the second paper will be a flat fee of $40. If serving (2) cases at the same address, the second paper will be a flat fee of $40. You will be billed for fees incurred in excess of the prepayment amount. If no prepayment is received, you will be billed for all fees incurred during the service. [Authority: Dane County Ordinance Amendment 26, 2004-2005]

Mileage-  Mileage is charged at the IRS mileage rate if service is completed. Mileage is calculated on a round-trip basis. No mileage is charged for unsuccessful attempts. Mileage will be charged once per address, notwithstanding the number of people served at one address. [Authority: Dane County Resolution 48, 04-05]

Copies- Civil process is to be provided (1) copy of documents per person/entity to be served. (1) additional copy is required as an office copy. If the appropriate number of copes are not provided you will be charged for $0.25 per page printed. If documents are received electronically, you will be charged $0.25 per page printed.

Notary Fee- If requested and a notary signature line needs to be added to the affidavit of service, $0.50 will be added to your bill. 

Sheriff Sale Fees – See Sheriff Sales Page for current pricing and fees.

Eviction/Execution Fees – See Eviction & Execution Page for current pricing and fees.

Additional Information: 

• If you are seeking fee exemption, please refer to the FAQ section or the Dane County Clerk of Courts website. Clerk of Courts Forms
• Checks or money orders can be made payable to Dane County Sheriff. 
• Please refer to our Notificacion de Honorarios for fee information in Spanish.