Between the Rio Grande and the Gulf, Brownsville is Cameron County's seat and home to 186,719 people, and a process server in Brownsville, TX handles the court papers for them. A citation, petition, subpoena or notice to vacate can be queued for an attempt within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours depending on the tier. After delivery, a signed Return of Service is sent by email so there is written proof.
Brownsville Process Server Pricing: What the Three Tiers Cost
Your options in Brownsville are the same flat three. Standard Service is $69 and promises an attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service is $119 and promises an attempt within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service is $169 and promises an attempt within 24 hours. The pricing page has the table, and the order form is how a job is placed.
If you would rather use a constable or the sheriff, remember that the commissioners court of Cameron County sets what they charge under Local Government Code 118.131. Choosing a private server is an alternative, not a requirement.
Who May Serve Papers in Brownsville: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Anyone who is a party, or has an interest in the outcome, is out under Rule 103. Those who are in: sheriffs and constables and others authorized by law, adults 18 or older with a written court order, and persons certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Another way is to ask the clerk to mail the citation by registered or certified mail.
Certification is described in Government Code 156.001 and expires on the last day of the month of its second anniversary unless renewed. The certification guide is the place to read further.
Where Brownsville Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Cameron County's courthouse stands at 974 East Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520, about 6.7 miles from the city's reference point. The city is the county seat, so cases for Brownsville addresses are filed in Cameron County.
Justice court covers civil claims up to $20,000 with interest left out, and evictions. It does not cover divorce, slander, defamation, title to land or lien-on-land suits. County court overlaps with it from over $200 to $20,000 and statutory county court overlaps with district court from over $500 to $325,000. The justice court precinct is decided by the address in dispute, and the county's justice court clerk can confirm which one. The Cameron County page adds county context.
Eviction Notices in Brownsville: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
The landlord's paperwork starts before court. For suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, tenants must receive written notice to vacate for at least three days, unless the lease or agreement says otherwise. If rent is the issue, the notice can be to pay or vacate. Allowed delivery includes mail, a conspicuous place inside the premises, hand delivery to any tenant 16 or older, and electronic communication if agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays count toward the days, though a last day on one moves to the next business day.
When the justice court case is filed, the citation is for a sheriff or constable. If five business days pass without service, an alias citation can be requested for another qualified officer. A private server handles the notice, not the suit.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Brownsville Defendants
Divorce is heard in district court. The two basic ways to serve are personal delivery and registered or certified mail with a return receipt. A defendant who can't be reached can be served in another way only after the court approves under Rule 106(b), on a sworn statement of likely locations and the attempts made. That order may allow leaving the papers with a person over 16 or serving by email or social media. See the Rule 106(b) guide.
For a business, deliver to its registered agent. If the agent cannot be found with reasonable diligence, the Secretary of State is the fallback agent. Default judgment cannot be taken until proof of service has been on file ten days (Rule 107(h)).
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Brownsville
A sheriff, constable or non-party adult can serve a subpoena anywhere in Texas by delivering a copy and tendering required fees. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, due from the summoning party at service, and the custodian fee is $1. A witness within 150 miles of the suit's county can be called. The subpoena guide has intake details.
In the data, nearby hospitals are Valley Regional Medical Center at 100 A Alton Gloor (4.2 miles) and Valley Baptist Medical Center- Brownsville at 1040 W Jefferson St (6.6 miles). A third, VHS Harlingen Hospital Company LLC at 2101 Pease St in Harlingen, is 18.4 miles out. Police records come from the Brownsville Police Department.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Brownsville
Brownsville's ZIP codes are 78520, 78521, 78526, 78566, 78575 and 78578. Neighbors are Port Isabel, Rancho Viejo, Los Fresnos, Laguna Vista and San Benito.
Brownsville Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party to the suit cannot serve in it.
How is a company served?
Through the registered agent, with the Secretary of State when the agent cannot be found.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
Ten days after proof of service has been filed.