Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Civil Section

We are located and accept service documents at:

Thurston County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Civil Section
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW., Building 3
Olympia , WA 98502

Contact Information:
Phone: 360-786-5534
Fax: 360-786-5275
Email: TCSOCivil@co.thurston.wa.us

Time of operation-  Monday through Friday 8:30a-4:30p. *Closed weekends and all government holidays

Process Service & Fees
 

We will accept payment in the form of cash, personal check or money orders made payable to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.  We can also accept credit/debit card payments for some Civil Services (service/convenience fees may apply). Please review the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Fee Schedule for additional information.

Submittal of Paperwork for Service

In order to effectively assist you, the Civil Section will need to know information about the person(s) to be served such as addresses, phone numbers, service requirements and the deadline for service. We cannot serve your papers unless you provide us with a physical address.

Please complete the Civil Intake Form and forward it along with the paperwork to be served and the required deposit. If you have special service requirements, i.e. personal service only or substitute service is allowed in what circumstances, please note them on the Civil Intake Form.

Payment of Service Fees

A non-refundable payment is required for most types of paperwork and payment must accompany the paperwork at the time it is received for service. Deposits are required and may be refundable as outlined in the fee schedule. Please see the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Fee Schedule for additional information.

We will accept payment in the form of cash, personal check or money orders made payable to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.  We can also accept credit/debit card payments for some Civil Services (service/convenience fees may apply). Please review the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Fee Schedule for additional information.

Deeds

Click here for the Washington State RCW 6.21.120 regarding Notice of Deed Code.

Before the Sheriff’s Office issues a Deed, the Civil Section requires the following:
• Original Certificate of Sale
• Non-refundable fee in the amount of $65.00
• Name and address of where the deed is to be mailed to

Landlord Issues
Click here for the Washington State RCW 59.18 regarding Landlord and Tenant Code.

No legal advice can be given by the Sheriff’s Office. If you have any legal questions, please contact an attorney. You can also go to the Attorney General’s Office website.

Frequently Asked Questions

I need to get a Protection Order. How do I get one?

The relationship you have with the person you are filing against will determine which court you will go through.

  • If the person is related to you or if you have had a dating relationship you will need to contact the Family and Juvenile Superior Court.
  • If there is no relationship between you and the person you are filing against, you will need to go to District Court.

My tenant has not paid rent. What do I need to do?

You will need to go through the eviction process. This can be done on your own or through an attorney’s office. While the Sheriff’s Office cannot give legal advice, we recommend you get an attorney or go through the Attorney General’s Office for additional information. The Attorney General’s website.

Where do I get the eviction forms?

Eviction packets/forms can be purchased at larger stationary stores. We recommend that you call these stores to confirm they have the forms available.

How can I get my papers served?

There are three legal ways to have your papers served:

  • The Sheriff’s Office will serve the papers for a fee
  • Private Process Server
  • Any uninvolved person 18 years of age or older, is a US Citizen and is not a part of the action of the papers being served

 

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Click here for the Washington State RCW 7.36 regarding Habeas Corpus Code.

Before accepting a Writ of Habeas Corpus, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

  • Original or Certified plus 3 copies of the Writ
  • Non-refundable fee in the amount of $305.00
  • Petition for the Writ
  • Order to Issue Writ of Habeas Corpus
  • Warrant in Aid of Writ of Habeas Corpus
  • Completion of the Sheriff’s Office Missing Child Information Questionnaire (This is to assist in the investigation and recovery of the child).
  • Photograph(s) - if available

 

Personal Property Execution

WRIT OF EXECUTION ON PERSONAL PROPERTY
Click here for the Washington State RCW 6.17 regarding Executions Code.

Before accepting a Writ of Execution on Personal Property, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

Detailed Letter of Instruction which contains:

  • Specific details on property to be levied on and seized
  • Who the keeper is and/or where the property will be stored (must be stored within Thurston County)
  • Location of the property that is being seized
  • Interest rate
  • Name and service address of judgment debtor(s)
  • Name, address and phone number of the contact person
  • Attorney name, address and phone number if not included on the Writ
  • Original or Certified and 3 copies of the Writ
  • Deposit in the amount of $400.00
  • Certified copy of Judgment
  • Certified copy of Order Directing Issuance of Writ with Judge’s signature
  • Sheriff’s Indemnity Bond:
    • Issuance to Derek Sanders, Sheriff of Thurston County
    • Bond must be twice the value of the property to be seized or a minimum of $5,000.00 (whichever is greater)
    • Signatures of both the bonding company and the plaintiff or his designee

 

Real Property Execution

WRIT OF EXECUTION ON REAL PROPERTY/ORDER OF SALE
Click here for the Washington State RCW 6.17 regarding Executions Code.
Before accepting a Writ of Execution on Real Property/Order of Sale, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

  • Detailed Letter of Instruction which contains:
    • Specific details on property to be levied on and seized, such as residential address, parcel # and legal description.
    • Interest rate.
    • Newspaper to publish in (Nisqually Valley News, Tenino Independent, or The Olympian).
    • Redemption period.
    • Name and service address of debtor(s).
  • Deposit in the amount of $450.00.
  • Certified copy of Judgment.
  • Original or Certified and 3 copies of the Order of Sale.
  • An electronic Word document of the Order of Sale and any attachments must be emailed to: TCSOCivil@co.thurston.wa.us

 

WRIT OF REPLEVIN

Click here for the Washington State RCW 7.64 regarding Replevin Code.
Before accepting a Writ of Replevin, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

  • Detailed Letter of Instruction which contains:
    • Specific details of property to be attached.
    • Who the keeper is and/or where the property will be stored (must be in Thurston County).
    • Address that the property is located at.
    • Service address of the defendant.
    • Attorney's name, address and phone number, if not included on the Writ.
  • Original or Certified copies of the Writ.
  • Non-refundable fee in the amount of $180.00
  • Sheriff's Indemnity bond (RCW 36.28.050):
    • Issuance to Derek Sanders, Sheriff of Thurston County.
    • Bond must be twice the value of the property to be seized or a minimum of $5,000.00 (whichever is greater).
    • Signatures of both the bonding company and the plaintiff or his designee.
  • Break and Enter Order:
    • This language can be included in the Writ of Replevin or in the form of a separate order.
    • Order must have Judge's signature.

WRIT OF RESTITUTION/UNLAWFUL DETAINER
Click the following for the Washington State RCW Codes:

Forcible Entry and Forcible and Unlawful Detainer RCW 59.12

Residential Landlord-Tenant Act RCW 59.18

Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act RCW 59.20

If you are requesting the Thurston County Sheriff's Office to serve/execute a Writ of Restitution, the following is REQUIRED before the Sheriff will act on the Writ:

  • The Original Writ of Restitution plus 3 copies.
  • 3 copies of Request for Storage of Personal Property.

 

  • Copy of Order Directing Issuance of Writ of Restitution that includes judge's signature, not a stamped conformed copy.
  • Non-refundable fee in the amount of $115.00.
  • Thurston County Sheriff's Office Writ Intake Form (print and complete the form):
    • Full name, address and phone number of plaintiff.
    • Full name, address and phone number of contact person (if different than plaintiff).
    • Full name, address and phone number of attorney, if not included on the Writ.
    • Type of premises to be evicted (i.e. single family residence, duplex, apt, mobile home, business/commercial property).
    • Circumstances law enforcement should be aware of (i.e. weapons, drugs, animals, and violent person).

If mobile home, is it owned by the defendant?

  • Break and Enter Order:
    • This language can be included in the Writ of Restitution or in the form of a separate order.
  • Bond of Indemnity (RCW 59.12 Commercial Writ only):
    • Bond must be twice the amount of the value of the property levied upon or a minimum of $5,000.00 (whichever is greater).
    • Issuance to Derek Sanders, Sheriff of Thurston County.
    • Signatures of both the bonding company and the plaintiff or his attorney.

 

WRIT OF EJECTMENT

Click here for the Washington State RCW 7.28 regarding Ejectment Code.
Before accepting a Writ of Ejectment, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

  • The Original Writ of Ejectment plus 3 copies.
  • Copy of Order Directing Issuance of Writ of Ejectment that includes judge's signature, not a stamped conformed copy.
  • Non-refundable fee in the amount of $115.00.
  • Thurston County Sheriff's Office Writ Intake Form (print and complete the form):
    • Full name, address and phone number of plaintiff,
    • Full name, address and phone number of contact person (if different than plaintiff).
    • Full name, address and phone number of attorney, if not included on the Writ.
    • Circumstances law enforcement should be aware of (i.e. weapons, drugs, animals, and violent person).
  • Break and Enter Order:
    • This language can be included in the Writ of Ejectment or in the form of a separate order.
  • Bond of Indemnity:
    • Issuance to Derek Sanders, Sheriff of Thurston County. 
    • Bond: Double the value of the contents of the property, or minimum of $5,000.00.
    • Signatures of both the bonding company and the plaintiff or his attorney.

 

WRIT OF ATTACHMENT

Click here for the Washington State RCW 6.25 regarding Attachment Code.
Before accepting a Writ of Attachment, the Civil Section requires the following paperwork:

  • Detailed Letter of Instruction which contains:
    • Specific details of property to be attached.
    • Who the keeper is and/or where the property will be stored (must be in Thurston County).
    • Address that the property is located at.
    • Service address of the defendant.
    • Attorney's name, address and phone number, if not included on the Writ.
  • Original or Certified copies of the Writ.
  • Copy of the Bond on Attachment or Order Waiving Bond (that was filed with the court).
  • Deposit in the amount of $300.00.
  • Sheriff's Indemnity bond (RCW 36.28.050) FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY, not required for Real Property:
    • Issuance to Derek Sanders, Sheriff of Thurston County.
    • Bond must be twice the value of the property to be seized or a minimum of $5,000.00 (whichever is greater).
    • Signatures of both the bonding company and the plaintiff or his designee.
  • Break and Enter Order:
    • In a separate order.
    • Order must have Judge's signature.