Support Services Bureau - Civil Unit

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 Division requires the following:

• Original Certificate of Sale
• $65.00 fee
• Name and address of where the deed is to be mailed to

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: http://www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant

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: http://www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant

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:

1.  The Sheriff’s Office will serve the papers for a fee
2. Private Process Server
3.  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

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

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

• Original or Certified plus 3 copies of the Writ.
• Deposit in the amount of $250.00.
• 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.

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 Division 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 John Snaza, 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.

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 Division 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.
  • Redemption period.
  • Name and service address of debtor(s).
  • Name, address and phone number of the contact person.
  • Attorney name, address and phone number if not included on the Writ.
• Deposit in the amount of $450.00.
• Certified copy of Judgment.
• Certified copy of Order Directing Issuance of Writ with Judge’s signature.
• Original or Certified and 3 copies of the Writ.

WRIT OF REPLEVIN
Click here for the Washington State RCW 7.64 regarding Replevin Code.

Before accepting a Writ of Replevin, the Civil Division 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.
• Deposit in the amount of $250.00
• Sheriff’s Indemnity bond (RCW 36.28.050):
  • Issuance to John Snaza, 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.
  • Return on Residential Writ is 10 calendar days RCW 59.18.380.
  • Return on Commercial Writ is 20 calendar days RCW 59.12.090.
• 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.
• Deposit in the amount of $150.00.
• 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 John Snaza, 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 Division 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.
• Deposit in the amount of $150.00.
• 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 John Snaza, Sheriff of Thurston County.
  • Bond 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 Division 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 John Snaza, 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.