Civil Department Information

Civil paperwork can be brought to the Sheriff’s Office at, 5 Placer Loop, Virginia City, or mailed to:

Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Civil Process

P.O. Box 276

Virginia City, MT 59755

REQUIRED FORM(S):
Praecipe 

Civil paperwork will not be accepted without a signed Praecipe (letter of instruction) addressed to the Sheriff of Madison County. The Praecipe must include the following:

  • Title of documents to be served
  • Name of each person or business to be served including a valid physical address or detailed description of location and if applicable, special service instructions
  • Requesters signature, mailing address and phone number

The original document and enough service copies for each party served must be provided.

Service Fees

Sheriff's Office Service Fees - Effective 03/12/2024 

Service fees must be paid in advance. Papers will not be served without advanced fee. 

*Cost of publication in the local newspaper is subject to their costs and may be billed directly to the individual, agent or attorney requesting the service.

Persons who are unable to pay service fees must submit a "Paupers Affidavit" (obtained through the court) with their paperwork in order to have service made without charge.


Process Issued


For process issued out of Madison County District or Justice Court: The original process and certificate of service will be returned to the issuing court unless it is requested in the Praecipe (PDF) to be returned to the party who sent it. (If the process is returned to the court a copy of the certificate of service will be mailed to the requester.)


Additional information and forms can be obtained from this website at the following Departments:

Access Montana Code Annotated (Title 25 - Civil Procedure) for more details.