Decatur is the Wise County seat and a city of 6,556 whose courthouse is about 0.6 miles from the center, and a process server in Decatur, Texas can serve citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate close to the clerk's door. The attempt happens within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours by tier, and a signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed afterward. Decatur has its own police department, and the only hospital in range is about 24.0 miles away in Azle.
Decatur Pricing at a Glance: Standard, Rush and 24-Hour Process Server Tiers
Standard Service is $69 per job, reaching an attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service is $119 per job, reaching it within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service is $169 per job, reaching it within 24 hours. The pricing page shows these and the order form begins the job.
Wise County's sheriff and constables also serve, billing by a schedule the commissioners court adopts under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is a further option.
Who May Serve Papers in Decatur: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 lists the eligible: officers, adults authorized in writing by the court, and servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. It excludes plaintiffs, defendants and anyone else who stands to gain or lose. The certification guide has more.
Where Decatur Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Decatur is the county seat, so the Wise County Courthouse at 101 North Trinity Street, Decatur, TX 76234 is about 0.6 miles from town. Justice court hears evictions and civil claims to $20,000. County court overlaps from $200 to $20,000. A statutory county court may hear civil cases from $500 to $325,000. The justice precinct follows the address in dispute, and the justice court clerk can say which applies. The Wise County hub has more.
Eviction Notices in Decatur: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A tenant is entitled to a written notice to vacate of at least three days, unless the lease provides another period. The landlord may mail it, hand it to a tenant 16 or older, leave it inside the unit, or email it if the parties agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays count toward the days, and a final day on one moves to the next business day. After the period ends, a sworn petition goes to justice court and a sheriff or constable serves the citation.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Decatur Defendants
A divorce is heard in district court, and the citation must reach the spouse with the petition. Personal delivery or certified mail with a return receipt comes first. If neither works, a sworn Rule 106(b) motion explaining likely locations and earlier tries may allow email, social media or papers left with an adult over 16. See the Rule 106(b) guide. A corporation can be served through its president, vice president or registered agent. Default must wait ten days after the return is filed.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Decatur
Decatur Police Department is the local agency. Only one hospital appears in range: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle (108 Denver Trail, Azle, TX 76020), about 24.0 miles away, so records subpoenas may well go elsewhere. A witness is owed $10 per day and a records custodian $1. The subpoena guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Decatur
Decatur is ZIP 76234. Neighbors listed: Boyd, Bridgeport and Alvord.
Decatur Process Server FAQ
Can I serve a lawsuit I started?
No, a plaintiff is a party and parties are excluded.
How long before a default judgment is possible?
Ten days after proof of service is on file, with neither the filing day nor the judgment day counted.
Can the papers be taped to a door?
Only under a Rule 106(b) order.