How must a sheriff serve a civil process on a county?

In North Carolina, when a sheriff serves civil process on a county, it is essential for the delivery method to ensure that it reaches an appropriate official who is authorized to accept legal documents on behalf of the county. Personally delivering the civil process to either the county manager or a commissioner fulfills this requirement. These individuals hold positions of authority within the county structure, making them the correct recipients for such legal documents.

Using interoffice mail, leaving documents with a receptionist, or making a phone call do not meet the legal standards necessary for proper service. Such methods could lead to the loss of the document or inadequate notification, thereby potentially compromising the legal proceedings. Therefore, personal delivery to the county manager or a commissioner is the correct and most effective means of serving civil process on a county.