When a complaint or other initiating document is filed, a summons is required to be prepared for issuance by the Clerk.

Summons may be served by:

• Personal Service
• Certified Mail
• Secretary of State / Long Arm
• RAP – Return Attorney Plaintiff

Personal Service (Sheriff)

• If serving in Kenton County there is a $60 charge per defendant (per service of process), made payable to Kenton County Sheriff.
• Service fees are collected in our office ONLY when a separate check made payable to Kenton County Sheriff is received. If paying by cash, the cash must be paid directly to the Sheriff’s office- 303 Court Street Covington, Ky.
  * If serving by an outside agency, please contact the Sheriff’s office of the county where serving for the amount of the fee.

Certified Mail (these fees vary due to weight amount of filing)

• Civil Cases (not eviction)- $12.51 per defendant (per service of process).  See Fees for postage by weight.
• Small Claims – $14.99 per defendant (per service of process).

Secretary of State / Long Arm- $16.65 per defendant or $10 per business made payable to Kentucky State Treasurer.

Return Attorney Plaintiff – the plaintiff may direct that the summons be returned to them (or their attorney) to handle service of process.

***Reminder – Our office is prohibited from providing legal advice. You may contact the Northern Kentucky Bar Association (Lawyer Referral Service) @ (859) 781-1525 or for Civil Cases Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (Civil Legal Assistance) @ (859) 431-8200, or for Criminal Cases the Public Defender’s Office 1-833-385-6054 or contact a private attorney.  There is also a FREE Legal Help Center on the 2nd floor of the Justice Center on Wednesdays from 11 am until 2 pm.