The Florida Senate

30.231  Sheriffs' fees for service of summons, subpoenas, and executions.--

(1)  The sheriffs of all counties of the state in civil cases shall charge fixed, nonrefundable fees for docketing and service of process, according to the following schedule:

(a)  All summons or writs except executions: $20 for each summons or writ to be served, except when more than one summons or writ is issued at the same time out of the same cause of action to be served upon one person or defendant at the same time, in which case the sheriff shall be entitled to one fee.

(b)  All writs except executions requiring a levy or seizure of property: $50 in addition to the $20 fee as stated in paragraph (a).

(c)  Witness subpoenas: $20 for each witness to be served.

(d)  Executions:

1.  Twenty dollars for docketing and indexing each writ of execution, regardless of the number of persons involved.

2.  Fifty dollars for each levy.

a.  A levy is considered made when any property or any portion of the property listed in the instructions for levy is seized, or upon demand of the sheriff the writ is satisfied by the defendant in lieu of seizure.

b.  When the instructions are for levy upon real property, a levy fee is required for each parcel described in the instructions.

c.  When the instructions are for levy based upon personal property, one fee is allowed, although the property may be seized at different locations, conditional upon all of the items being advertised collectively and the sale being held at a single location. However, if the property seized cannot be sold at one location during the same sale as advertised, but requires separate sales at different locations, the sheriff is then authorized to impose a levy fee for the property and sale at each location.

3.  Twenty dollars for advertisement of sale under process.

4.  Twenty dollars for sale under process.

5.  Twenty dollars for deed, bill of sale, or satisfaction of judgment.

(2)  For levying on property and for the seizure of persons, the sheriff shall be allowed anticipated expenses necessary for the execution of the process directing such levy or seizure and for the safekeeping of property and persons in the custody of the sheriff. A reasonable cost deposit to cover said fees and expenses in connection with the requested services shall be deposited in advance, by the party requesting the service, with the officer requested to perform the service.

(3)  It shall be the responsibility of the party requesting service of process to furnish to the sheriff the original or a certified copy of the process and sufficient copies to be served on the parties receiving the service of process. The party requesting service of process shall provide the sheriff with the best known address where the person may be served. Failure to perfect service at the address provided does not excuse the sheriff from his or her duty to exercise due diligence in locating the person to be served.

(4)  All fees collected under paragraphs (1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) shall be nonrefundable and shall be earned when each original request or service of process is made, and no additional fees shall be required for alias and pluries documents when service was not effected on the original document in that county by that sheriff.

(5)  All fees collected under the provisions of this section shall be paid monthly into the fine and forfeiture fund of the county.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 63-41; s. 2, ch. 72-92; s. 4, ch. 79-396; s. 1, ch. 82-118; s. 1, ch. 83-255; s. 1, ch. 87-405; s. 1, ch. 94-170; s. 1330, ch. 95-147.