Baytown straddles Harris and Chambers counties, so a process server in Baytown, Texas often starts by asking which county the lawsuit was filed in. Whichever it is, citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate can be delivered with an attempt within 5 business days, within 48 hours or within 24 hours, and a signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed afterward as proof. With 85,539 residents on 40.5 square miles, Baytown is large enough that the court filing, not the address, is usually the hard part.
What a Process Server Costs in Baytown: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service costs $69 and means an attempt within 5 business days. Choose Rush Service at $119 to bring that attempt within 48 hours, or 24-Hour Service at $169 for an attempt within 24 hours. The tiers are described on the pricing page and booked through the order form.
A constable or the sheriff may be cheaper or dearer depending on the county, because the commissioners court sets those fees every year under Local Government Code 118.131. Private service is an alternative, not a replacement.
Who May Serve Papers in Baytown: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Three kinds of people may serve under Rule 103: officers such as a sheriff or constable, adults aged 18 and up who hold a written court order, and individuals certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. If you are a party to the lawsuit, or hold an interest in it, you cannot serve. The clerk will arrange registered or certified mail on request. Certification is issued on the Supreme Court's order, and it runs out at the end of the month of its second anniversary unless renewed. The certification guide has the full picture.
Where Baytown Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Harris County's seat is Houston, so the Harris County Civil Courthouse at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002 is about 23.4 miles from Baytown. Part of the city lies in Chambers County, whose own courts would apply for a suit there. Justice court covers civil claims up to $20,000 (interest not counted), evictions and some lien enforcement; divorces, slander, title to land and suits enforcing a lien on land belong elsewhere.
Amounts over $200 up to $20,000 can also go to a county court. A statutory county court may hear civil cases alongside the district court from over $500 up to $325,000 with interest, damages, penalties, fees and costs left out. The precinct is tied to the address in dispute, so the justice court clerk in that county is the one to ask. The Harris County hub is a starting point.
Eviction Notices in Baytown: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Suppose a Baytown landlord files after January 1, 2026. The first step is a written notice to vacate of at least three days, unless the lease or agreement says something different. Nonpayment can begin with a notice to pay or vacate. The tenant may be given the notice by mail, by placement inside the premises where it is noticeable, by hand to someone 16 or older, or by electronic message if the parties agreed in writing. If the tenant actually gets it, the delivery list does not matter. Weekends and holidays count, except that a final day on one moves ahead.
A private server can carry out that notice delivery. The eviction suit's citation, though, goes through a sheriff or constable only, and after 5 business days with no service the landlord may seek an alias citation.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Baytown Defendants
Start with personal delivery or registered or certified mail with a return receipt. When both fail, Rule 106(b) lets the plaintiff move for another method, supporting the motion with a sworn statement or declaration under penalty of perjury that names where the defendant may be found and how earlier efforts went. A court order could allow leaving the papers with a person over 16 or reaching out by email or social media. Do not expect a citation left with a roommate or on a door to hold up without that order. The Rule 106(b) guide is worth a read.
For companies, aim at the registered agent or a corporate president or vice president. If no agent can be found with reasonable diligence, the Secretary of State becomes the agent. Ten days of proof of service on file, not counting filing day and judgment day, must pass before any default judgment.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Baytown
Baytown has two hospitals within a mile: Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital at 4401 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521 (about 0.7 miles) and Baytown Medical Center LP at 1626 W Baker Road, Baytown, TX 77521 (about 0.9 miles). Altus Houston Hospital, LP, 6011 W Sam Houston Pkwy South, Houston, TX 77072, is about 12.2 miles away. The Baytown Police Department is the city agency for reports.
The party summoning a witness pays $10 for each day of attendance when serving the subpoena, and a records custodian is owed $1. Witnesses living within 150 miles of the county where the suit is pending may be summoned. Notice to all parties must precede a nonparty records subpoena by at least 10 days. The witness fee guide goes further.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Baytown
Baytown's ZIP codes are 77520, 77521 and 77523. Neighboring places include Beach City, Mont Belvieu and Houston.
Baytown Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party or anyone interested in the outcome cannot, so have a constable, sheriff or certified process server do it.
How is a company served?
Through a registered agent, a corporate president or a vice president, with the Secretary of State as the fallback.
What if the person avoids service?
Ask the court under Rule 106(b) for another method, backed by details of where and how service was tried.