Getting paid for jury duty is usually automatic, but you must make sure your attendance is logged and your address is correct.
Getting your court stipend and mileage reimbursement shouldn't require jumping through hoops, but missing a single step at the courthouse can delay your check by months.
Your payment is tied directly to your attendance record. Every morning you arrive at the courthouse, you must scan your summons barcode or sign in with the jury clerk. If you walk straight into the courtroom without checking in at the assembly room, the system will mark you absent, and you will not be paid for that day.
Most courts pay a small per-mile reimbursement (e.g., $0.34 per mile). When you fill out your initial juror questionnaire (either online or on paper), the court calculates your round-trip distance based on your zip code. If you moved recently, you must update your address with the clerk immediately, or your mileage will be wrong and your check will be mailed to the wrong house.
If your employer pays you for jury duty, they will require proof of service. Before you leave the courthouse on your final day, ask the clerk for a "Certificate of Attendance." This document proves exactly which days you served and how much the court paid you.
If your employer continued paying your normal salary while you served, company policy may require you to hand over your $15 court check to HR (this prevents "double dipping"). Make sure you clarify this policy with HR so you don't accidentally cash a check you owe the company.
Ensure you check in every single morning with the jury clerk to guarantee your attendance is logged. Without attendance verification, the county comptroller will not issue your check.