File a third-party claim
File a third-party claim through the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
File a third-party claim through the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
A “third party” is someone who is identified during the process of a levy. They are not named as a debtor or defendant but may be affected by the levy.
Additional resources
California Code of Civil Procedures
CCP 720.130 and 720.230
ACCESS Center
Legal self-help at the San Francisco Superior Court
You may file your third-party claim with the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. Please follow California code exactly to complete your claim.
Click here to complete and download a third-party claim of ownership or possession
Click here to complete and download a third-party claim of security interest or lien
Please also provide the Sheriff’s Department with your original third-party claim form plus two copies. The Sheriff’s Department will date stamp your claim and serve it to the creditor within five days of receipt.
Definitions
Creditor
Person or business that is owed money
Debtor
Person or business that owes money to a creditor
Judgment debt
A court-issued judgment that specifies the amount of money a debtor owes to a creditor
Levy
A collection enforcement tool that creditors use to collect on a debt
Lien
The right to hold property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is resolved
Personal property
Anything you own that can be moved, like vehicles, or other valuable items
Real property
Anything you own that cannot be moved, like your home, land, or other buildings
Security interest
Writ
Court-issued document that begins the transfer of assets
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office cannot provide legal advice. If you have a legal problem, we suggest contacting an attorney.
CA Business & Professions Code Section 6125
Government Code 24004