Subpoenas



Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Civil Process staff and deputies have years of experience ensuring that subpoenas are served promptly and correctly. Staff are available to assist in notarizing your documents, calculating witness fees, and providing instructions for serving documents. Our Deputy Sheriffs have access to databases and resources not available to the public at large, giving them a superior ability to locate defendants, who may try to avoid being served.

Massachusetts Rule of Civil Procedure 45(a) requires “Every subpoena shall be issued by the clerk of court, by a notary public, or by a justice of the peace, shall state the name of the court and the title of the action, and shall command each person to whom it is directed to do the following at a specified time and place: to attend and give testimony; to produce designated documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things in that person's possession, custody, or control; or to permit inspection of premises. The clerk, notary public, or justice of the peace shall issue a subpoena signed but otherwise in blank, to a party requesting it, who shall fill it in before service.”

Amendments to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure now allow for the service of subpoenas for documents only.


Serving A Subpoena

Step 1

Determine which type of subpoena you need to serve (witness, production of documents, etc.). For your convenience blank forms are available below.

Step 2

Complete the subpoena making sure to fill in all fields.

Step 3

Mail or email the subpoena and cover letter, and prepayment if applicable to our office.

Payment - For Pro Se customers a prepayment of $65.00 will be required, which may be paid by PayPal or by mailing a check or money order to our office. Once the subpoena has been served and service, notary and witness fees have been calculated you may receive a refund of the unused portion of the prepayment price.

Attorneys will be invoiced for the Civil Process Office's fees, notary fee (if necessary) and the appropriate witness fee.

Email - If you choose to email your subpoena please do not notarize the subpoena. Our office will notarize upon receipt which will allow us to have an original document. Please email your subpoenas to info@norfolkcivil.org

Mail - If you choose not to email your subpoena, please send your notarized subpoena by mail at least 7 days before the hearing.


Helpful Links

R. 45 Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure
Mass Legal Help Guide to Subpoenas


Forms

Subpoena
Subpoena for Documents Only

Subpoena Duces Tecum --need link