Service & Return

The Service & Return Unit processes and executes prompt service and return of all Common Pleas Court papers within Summit County, as well as court papers from other jurisdictions both inside and outside Ohio. There are four Deputies assigned to the Civil Unit for service of all court documents for residents living in Summit County.

Mailing Address:

Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Civil Division – Courthouse
209 S. High Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and all Legal Holidays

Contact:

PHONE: 330-643-2271
FAX: 330-643-7451
EMAIL: civilbureau@sheriff.summitoh.net

Check Service of Papers Here

Important Definitions:

PERSONAL SERVICE: Personal Service is defined as being served “in hand” only to the person/company to be served.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE: Residential Service is defined as being served to anyone over the age of 16 years at the service address who can sign for receipt of the document.

YELLOW DOOR TAG: If you have received a Yellow Door Tag from our office, this means that we have received court papers for you, and we have attempted to serve you with these papers without success. Please contact our office to make arrangements for re-delivery if applicable, or to come down to our office to pick up papers.

Out of County Instructions

When documents are filed in the State of Ohio and you are requesting service in Summit County, Ohio law requires the original document to be filed with the Clerk of Courts prior to processing for service. The original signed document and a copy to serve will need to be mailed to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office-Civil Division, at the address listed below. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

We need 2 sets of papers. Send an original summons/subpeona/order/other documents for each person, and one additional copy for each return, to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office-Civil Division at the address listed below. You will be billed for the processing service according to fees set by the State of Ohio.
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) along with the Instructions for service indicating PERSONAL or RESIDENTIAL service.
- “Personal” service is defined as “being served “in hand” only to the person/company to be served.
- “Residential” service is served to anyone over the age of 16 years at the service address who can sign in receipt of the document.
We do not accept court documents faxed or emailed to our office, they must be mailed to the address below.
We will attempt service and then complete the original return for your files.
Please allow up to 3-4 weeks for service and return.
A Service Return Invoice will be sent to you with our Sheriff’s Return.
- Please include a copy of the Invoice with payment

Cases in which an Affidavit of Indigency is filed in the Clerk of Courts, a copy of the “Affidavit of Indigency” also needs to be included for the fees to be waived.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Summit County Sheriff's Office
Civil Division - Courthouse
209 South High Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

PHONE: (330) 643-2271
FAX: (330) 643-7451
EMAIL: civilbureau@sheriff.summitoh.net

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and all legal holidays

Out of State Instructions

When documents are filed outside the State of Ohio and you are requesting service in Summit County, Ohio law requires a certification form to be completed for “Out of State” service (linked below). The original signed certification form will need to be mailed to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office-Civil Division at the address listed below.

This original certification is to be SIGNED AND SEALED by the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Magistrate, or Judge of the Court that issued the Process.
It also verifies to the Sheriff’s Office that the papers being sent for Service are TRUE and in CONFORMANCE with the laws of the state where the issuing Court is located.

Along with the original certification form that is required to be mailed to our office, please send a complete set of papers to be served for each person and one additional copy of the summons/subpoena/order/other documents to be used for each return with our affidavit for service.

Please provide Instructions for Service indicating PERSONAL or RESIDENTIAL service.

“Personal” service is defined as “being served in hand” only to the person / company to be served.
“Residential” service is served to anyone over the age of 16 years at the service address who can sign in receipt of the document.

COST: $45.00 for each person to be served.

Include your money order or cashier’s check (a law firm check is also acceptable)
Make your check payable to the “Summit County Sheriff”.
Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with the Instructions for Service, Certification Form, 2 sets of papers and funds for service.

Cases where an Affidavit of Indigency is filed in the Clerk of Courts, a copy of the “Affidavit of Indigency” also needs to be included for the fees to be waived.

We will attempt service, and complete the return along with an “Affidavit for Service”. Please allow up to 3-4 weeks for service and return.

SEND the Following:

COMPLETED ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION
Instructions for Service
2 Complete Sets of Papers (1 for service, 1 for return) for each person to be served
Funds, $45.00 (money order or cashier’s check) for each person to be served
Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (for return)

MAILING ADDRESS:

Summit County Sheriff's Office
Civil Division - Courthouse
209 South High Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

PHONE: (330) 643-2271
FAX: (330) 643-7451
EMAIL: civilbureau@sheriff.summitoh.net

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and all legal holidays

Out of State Certification of Service Form This certification is required by the Sheriff of Summit County, Ohio and is mandatory for service of all legal documents issued from non-Ohio areas

Notices to Commence Suit / Mechanic’s Liens Instructions

To serve a Notice to Commence Suit or a Mechanic’s Lien, please include instructions to the Sheriff for how the papers are to be served, and mail to the Sheriff’s Office at the address listed below.

There are 2 types of service that can be done on Notices to Commence Suit/Mechanic’s Liens. Please include Type of Service in the Sheriff’s Instructions:

CERTIFIED MAIL SERVICE (What is needed):

1 Original and 1 Copy to Serve
The Address to Serve – does not have to be located in Summit County
The Address of the person/party requesting the Service for our Sheriff’s Return
Cost: $12.90, due in advance.
- Payment must be in Cash (EXACT Amount only!), Cashier’s Check or Money Order. Checks should be made payable to “Summit County Sheriff”
A self-addressed stamped envelope to mail back the Sheriff’s Return

DEPUTY SERVICE (What is needed):

1 Original and 1 Copy to Serve
The Address to Serve – MUST BE located in Summit County
The Address of the person/party requesting the Service for our Sheriff’s Return
Cost: To be invoiced/billed after service.
A self-addressed stamped envelope to mail back the Sheriff’s Return

MAILING ADDRESS:

Summit County Sheriff's Office
Civil Division - Courthouse
209 South High Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

PHONE: (330) 643-2271
FAX: (330) 643-7451
EMAIL: civilbureau@sheriff.summitoh.net

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and all legal holidays