Legal Service Unit
The duties of the Legal Service Unit is to assist attorneys and pro se litigants by first processing and then delivering or "serving" the legal documents necessary for civil courts to conduct their business. The Officers assigned to this Unit provide legal service of court documents by delivering them to defendants and others, thereby commencing lawsuits, summonsing witnesses, and giving notice of protective orders. Additionally, after the courts make judgments, the civil process staff help enforce these judgments by seizing property, garnishing wages and performing Sheriff's sales.
Summons & Complaint Fees and Services
Call: 609-909-7223
Pro Se
Pro Se fee for service is $50.00 Cash/Money Order, no personal checks accepted. All checks/money orders are made payable to the Sheriff of Atlantic County. Three(3) copies of the Summons and three (3) copies of the Complaint along with cover letter of instruction can be mailed to:
Atlantic County Sheriff's Office
4997 Unami Boulevard,
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Attorney's Office Summons and Complaint Package
When a Summons and Complaint package is received from an Attorney's Office a $100.00 deposit is requested.
The Attorney's Office will e-file their own Affidavit of Service with that "County of Venue". Our Office will attempt service up to 5 times (3 daytime trips-2 nighttime trips).
Where to file for a Pro-Se Writ of Possession
Mailing Instructions
Writ of Possessions are filed in Trenton. Mail to:
Attn: Foreclosure Unit
Superior Court Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 971,
Trenton, NJ 08625
Note: Clerk of the Superior Court-Michelle M. Smith-Clerk $50.00 fee.
In person filing for Writ of Possession
GPS Address: Justice Complex, 25 W. Market Street, 6th Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625
Scheduling a Writ of Possession
Attorney / Pro Se fees require a $100.00 deposit, cash money order, treasure checks for prose. No personal checks. Attorney business checks accepted.
When the Sheriff's Office receives a Writ of Possession, we schedule an eviction date 10-15 days out from the date we receive the writ. When we receive a Writ of Possession -14 day of issuance, we schedule the eviction/ejectment within 14 days of receiving the writ. Our officers then Serve/Post the residence notifying the occupants of the eviction date to vacate premises.
The Occupants will receive a letter in the mail stating the date and time of the eviction. The Attorney/ Pro Se are required to obtain their own representatives, locksmith and moving company at their expense. The Officers will be at the residence on the day of the eviction to enforce the court order for the occupant to vacate the premises. All parties must be present Bank Representative, locksmith, and moving company to move out any personal belongings to a storage location and lock the residence. Our officers are on premises to make sure the property has been secured.
Note: If the Occupants need more time beyond the date scheduled, they can fill out Motion papers in Atlantic City and ask for a Court date to speak to the Judge and ask for more time.
Per NJ Law you are required to hold the personal belongings for 30 days, if you do not hold the belongings for 30 days you face a potential lawsuit.
Rights & Credits/Asset Levies
Call: 609-909-7223
For ALL General Executions, please include:
- A letter of instruction
- 3 copies of the Writ of Execution (include a completed endorsement)
- $100.00 deposit, which includes the $50.00 filing fee plus mileages to each location to be served in our county
- Payments accepted: Attorney check, money order made payable to the Sheriff of Atlantic County or cash. Please, no personal checks.
- A valid email address for convenient correspondence
Bank Levies
- 1 copy of the Writ of Execution for EACH location/bank that needs to be levied upon
- 2 extra copies for our file
- Addresses are needed for all locations to be served. We are not able to investigate information.
- Provide any/all identifiers along with defendant's address for notice of debtor including social security number and/or EIN, account number if available, address, date of birth, etc.
For re-levies, please Include the following:
- Letter of instructions
- Additional mileage if needed including a re-service fee of $2.00
- Copy of writ
Asset and Real Estate Levies
- Addresses are needed for all locations to be served.
- Provide any/all identifiers along with defendant's address for notice of debtor
- Lot and block required for real estate levies
- Asset levies for vehicles (vehicle seizure) require a $500.00 deposit for tow costs plus $200.00 deposit for sheriff sale of vehicle.
- All other asset levies sales require a $200.00 deposit.
Cash Seizure, Rights and Credits, and Rent Levies
Addresses are needed for all locations to be served.
Provide any/all identifiers along with defendant's address for notice of debtor
Further Inquiries
Wage Garnishment Department
Call: 609-909-7222
- 3 copies of Order for Wage Execution
- 3 copies of Writ of Execution for Wage Execution (must have endorsement page included)
- $50 Service Fee plus 1 mileage *Attorney check, money order or cash only. We will bill for any additional mileage used to serve.
- Letter of instruction
- Must include full social security number for identification purposes.
