If you need a process server in Atascocita, Texas, for a Harris County lawsuit, the papers covered include citations, divorce petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate. The attempt comes within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours, by tier, and a signed Return of Service is emailed after delivery. Atascocita counted 88,174 people in 2020, yet it is a Census-designated place, an unincorporated community with no city government, which means every case here lands in a Harris County court.
What a Process Server Costs in Atascocita: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service runs $69 and puts the attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service at $119 moves that attempt to within 48 hours. For a hearing that is almost here, 24-Hour Service costs $169 and brings an attempt within 24 hours.
Serving a Texas state-court citation or summons adds a $100 fee to whichever tier you choose, since Texas restricts that job to a sheriff, constable or certified process server. Compare on the pricing page; order on the order form.
Harris County constables and the sheriff work from a fee schedule adopted each year by the commissioners court (Local Government Code 118.131). A private server is another path.
Who May Serve Papers in Atascocita: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 names three groups. First, a sheriff, a constable or another person authorized by law; for Atascocita that means the Harris County Sheriff's Office, which polices the community, and the county's constables. Second, anyone 18 or older authorized by law or by a written order of the court. Third, a person certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.
What Rule 103 does not allow is service by someone who is a party or who has a stake in how the case turns out. Commission certification is granted under Supreme Court order and runs out on the last day of the month of its second anniversary if not renewed. Read the certification guide for more.
Where Atascocita Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Houston is the Harris County seat, and the Harris County Civil Courthouse at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002 is about 17.9 miles from Atascocita.
Justice courts take civil claims up to $20,000 before interest plus evictions and some lien cases. They are closed to divorces, slander and defamation, land title questions and suits to enforce a lien on land. County courts overlap with them for amounts over $200 up to $20,000. A statutory county court shares civil jurisdiction with the district court between $500 and $325,000 excluding interest, damages, penalties, fees and costs.
Which justice precinct is correct depends on where the disputed address lies. The Harris County justice court clerk can confirm it; the Census map has no bearing. More county detail is on the Harris County page.
Eviction Notices in Atascocita: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For suits filed from January 1, 2026, the landlord gives at least three days' written notice to vacate unless the lease or a written agreement says otherwise. Where the dispute is unpaid rent, the landlord can send a notice to pay rent or vacate. Delivery may be by mail, leaving the notice in a conspicuous place inside the premises, handing it to any tenant 16 or older, or electronic delivery when the parties agreed to it in writing. Weekends count, but a final day on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.
A private server may deliver the notice. Once the landlord files the sworn petition in justice court, though, the eviction citation can be served only by the Harris County Sheriff's Office or a constable. If 5 business days go by after filing without service, the landlord may ask for an alias citation to another qualified officer.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Atascocita Defendants
Texas starts with personal delivery: the citation and a copy of the petition go into the respondent's hands, or out by registered or certified mail with a return receipt. Failing that, Rule 106(b) lets the court authorize another method after a motion supported by a sworn or penalty-of-perjury statement describing where the person probably is and exactly what was attempted. The order might allow leaving the papers with anyone over 16 at that place, or email, social media or other technology. Without that order, a citation may not be left with a family member or attached to a door. See the Rule 106 guide.
Companies are served through a registered agent or, for a corporation, the president or a vice president. When the agent cannot be found at the registered office, the Secretary of State takes the papers. Proof of service must sit with the clerk ten full days, excluding the filing day and the judgment day, before a default judgment can be entered.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Atascocita
Townsen Memorial Hospital, 1475 FM 1960 Bypass E, Humble, TX 77338, is about 4.0 miles away. Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, 18951 Memorial North, Humble, TX 77338, and Elite Hospital Kingwood, 23330 Highway 59 N, Kingwood, TX 77339, are each about 5.0 miles off. A records subpoena about a deputy's call or report is directed to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
A witness is owed $10 for each day of attendance, tendered when the subpoena is served, and a records custodian receives $1. Anyone within 150 miles of the county where the case is pending can be subpoenaed. For documents from a nonparty, notice goes out at least 10 days before the production subpoena. The witness fee guide covers the cash fee.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Communities Around Atascocita
Atascocita addresses use ZIP codes 77346 and 77396. Nearby are Houston, Humble and Sheldon.
Atascocita Process Server FAQ
Can papers be taped to a door?
Only if a judge signs a Rule 106(b) order allowing it after other attempts fail.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
After the return has been on file ten days, leaving out filing day and judgment day.
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Someone named in the Atascocita case as a party cannot serve its papers.