In the 16th Circuit Court, the Department of Civil Process performs the same duties as a sheriff's civil division in other Missouri Counties. The authority to perform those duties is granted under the Jackson County Home Rule Charter.
Process servers serve initial summons, notices, and protection orders at the place of employment.
Execution deputies serve protection orders at residences. They also supervise evictions when ordered by the Court, and seize and sell property under certain circumstances. Though process servers and execution deputies are not sworn peace officers with the power to arrest people, they are authorized by law to carry concealed firearms. The Civil Process Department also conducts the annual Court Administrator's delinquent land tax sales in Kansas City and Independence. The Civil Process Department is in no way involved with private process servers.