A process server in Bastrop, Texas can deliver citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate for cases tied to Bastrop County, with the attempt made within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours depending on the tier you pick. When the papers are handed over, a signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed to you as proof. Bastrop is a city of 9,692 people that sits right at its own county seat, so the filing office is practically next door.
What a Process Server Costs in Bastrop: Three Flat Tiers
Pricing is flat and listed on the pricing page, and you start a job through the order form.
- Standard Service, $69: the attempt is made within 5 business days.
- Rush Service, $119: attempt within 48 hours.
- 24-Hour Service, $169: attempt within 24 hours.
Constables and sheriffs also serve civil papers, but their fees are set by the county commissioners court under Local Government Code 118.131, so check with the county for the current figure. A private server is simply another route.
Who May Serve Papers in Bastrop: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 lets a sheriff or constable serve, a person 18 or older who has a written court order, or a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The plaintiff cannot serve, and neither can anyone else with a stake in the outcome. The clerk can also send a citation by registered or certified mail if asked. The guide to Rule 103 and JBCC certification goes deeper.
Where Bastrop Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Bastrop County Courthouse, 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602, is about 0.1 miles from the middle of town. Justice courts take civil claims up to $20,000 plus evictions. The county court shares claims between $200 and $20,000 with them, and a statutory county court, where the county has one, can hear civil cases from $500 up to $325,000. Which justice court precinct applies depends on where the address in dispute lies, and the county justice court clerk can confirm it. More county detail is on the Bastrop County hub.
Eviction Notices in Bastrop: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A landlord must usually give at least three days of written notice to vacate before filing, unless a lease sets a shorter or longer period. Mail, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, or placing it inside the premises in a conspicuous spot all count, and so does email if the parties agreed to that in writing. Weekends and holidays count toward the days, though a deadline landing on one rolls to the next business day. The suit itself goes to justice court on a sworn petition, and only a sheriff or constable serves that citation. A private server can deliver the notice to vacate, not the suit.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Bastrop Defendants
Divorce is a district court matter. A citation and petition go to the defendant in person or by certified mail with return receipt. If that fails, Rule 106(b) lets the judge approve another method after a sworn statement about where the person might be found and what was tried, including email or social media. The Rule 106(b) guide explains the motion. For a company, serve its registered agent. Once proof of service has been on file ten days, a default can be sought under Rule 107(h).
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Bastrop
The Bastrop Police Department is the local agency, and the nearest hospital in range is Ascension Seton Smithville, 1201 Hill Rd, Smithville, TX 78957, about 13.2 miles away, a likely stop for a records subpoena. A witness is owed $10 per day of attendance, paid by the summoning party when served, and a records custodian is owed $1. For cash and agent handling see the subpoena guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Bastrop
Bastrop uses ZIP 78602. Nearby places are Smithville and Elgin.
Bastrop Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. If you are a party to the case you cannot serve, and a friend with a stake cannot either.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
Proof of service must sit with the clerk for ten full days, leaving out the filing day and the judgment day.
Can papers be taped to a door?
Not without a Rule 106(b) order. Without one, a citation cannot be left on a door.