To serve a bank levy in San Diego County, attorneys must open a file with the Sheriff’s Civil Division, submit SER‑001 and SER‑001A designating a Registered Process Server, include a signed Letter of Instruction, and return proof of service so the Sheriff can execute the levy and manage funds.
Countrywide Process
January 31, 2026
To serve a bank levy in San Diego County, attorneys must first open a file with the Sheriff’s Civil Division and designate a Registered Private Process Server to perform service. The process server serves the bank and the judgment debtor, targeting the debtor’s bank account. After the bank account is frozen following the sheriff’s service of the levy, the account holder (the judgment debtor) is notified. The process server then returns proof of service so the Sheriff—acting as levying officer—can receive funds and process exemption claims.
In San Diego County, the Sheriff does not physically serve bank levies except in limited circumstances.
The Sheriff will serve only when:
In all other cases:
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff’s Office are responsible for enforcing court judgments, including the levy process, after service is completed.
The Sheriff’s role begins after service, not before.
Before any bank levy is served, attorneys must open a levy file with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Civil Division.
California law requires that the bank levy be served at the financial institution’s designated central location for legal process.
This filing formally notifies the Sheriff that:
This notice is mandatory.
San Diego County requires the same standardized forms used statewide.
Form SER‑001 — Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers
On Page 4, Section 6, attorneys must check:
“No. I only want the sheriff to act as levying officer.
A registered “Private”process server has or will serve my papers.”
Failure to select this option may result in file rejection.
Form SER‑001A — Special Instructions for Writs and Levies
This form must include:
This form tells the Sheriff what is being levied and where.
Yes.
In addition to SER‑001 and SER‑001A, San Diego County requires a signed and dated Letter of Instruction. If the debtor wishes to propose a payment plan to avoid immediate levy, this request should be clearly addressed in the Letter of Instruction. After the levy is served and the account is frozen, the account holder will receive notice regarding the action taken.
Unsigned or vague letters are a common cause of delay.
Before the process server may serve the bank, the following must be delivered to the Sheriff to open the levy file:
Service should not occur until the file is accepted.
Funds are not paid to the creditor until the sheriff processes the levy and resolves any exemption claims.
The Registered Private Process Server must serve a complete levy package, including two Notices of Levy:
Once the file is opened with the Sheriff:
The Private process server serves 2 sets of documents on the financial institution named in the writ and follows by mailing one set to the debtor
After receiving these forms, the debtor may file a claim or claim of exemption to protect certain exempt funds from being levied. Exempt funds can include disability payments, child support, social security benefits, and other protected income or payments.
After service is completed:
Once the bank receives the levy, the account is immediately frozen. The Sheriff can then collect money from the account, subject to any exemptions or court orders that may apply to protect certain funds.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department – Civil Division5255 Mount Etna Drive San Diego, CA 92117 📞 (858) 974‑2020 🌐 https://www.sdsheriff.gov
In our experience managing bank levies throughout San Diego County, attorneys rely on Countrywide Process, LLC to:
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Only for creditors with a court-ordered fee waiver or incarcerated inmates. Most levies must be served by a Registered Process Server.
Yes. SER-001, SER-001A, a Letter of Instruction, and the writ must be submitted before service occurs.
Yes. It must identify the Registered Process Server, bank branch, and debtor, and be signed and dated.
California law requires service on both the financial institution and the judgment debtor.
The current fee is $50.00 per bank served.
The Sheriff begins receiving funds and processing any exemption claims.
Yes. Countrywide Process provides compliant, attorney-focused bank levy service throughout San Diego County.
A judgment lien is recorded against a debtor’s real property by filing an Abstract of Judgment with the county recorder. This lien attaches to the debtor’s property and must be satisfied before the property can be sold or refinanced. In contrast, a bank levy takes money directly from the debtor’s bank account to satisfy the judgment.
When the sheriff serves a bank levy, the sheriff delivers the legal paperwork to the bank. The timing of when the sheriff serves the levy is important because it determines how much money can be taken from the account at that moment. Prompt service can maximize the amount collected.
