Doffing is a Hidalgo County community in Texas where a process server delivers citations, divorce petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate within ZIP code 78574. On Standard Service the attempt comes within 5 business days. Pay for Rush Service and that first knock happens within 48 hours; 24-Hour Service moves it to within 24 hours. Doffing clients receive a signed Return of Service by email once delivery is made. Doffing is a Census-designated place, unincorporated and without any city government, home to 5,618 people in 2020.
What a Process Server Costs in Doffing: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service runs $69 with an attempt inside 5 business days. Rush Service runs $119 and the attempt happens inside 48 hours. For an attempt inside 24 hours, 24-Hour Service is $169. Those amounts apply to subpoenas, notices and federal summonses; a Texas state-court citation or summons carries an additional $100 fee because Texas requires a sheriff, constable or certified process server to serve it under TRCP 103. The pricing page has the breakdown and the order form takes the papers. Hidalgo County constables and the sheriff serve process at fees their commissioners court sets yearly (Local Government Code 118.131), and a private server is another path.
Who May Serve Papers in Doffing: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Whoever delivers a Doffing citation must fit Rule 103: a sheriff, constable or other person the law authorizes, an adult 18 or older authorized by law or written court order, or someone certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The person suing, the person sued and anyone else interested in the result are all disqualified. Doffing is policed by the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, whose deputies, together with the Hidalgo County constables, alone may serve an eviction citation.
Where Doffing Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Hidalgo County Courthouse, 100 North Closner Boulevard, Edinburg, TX 78539, is about 13.9 miles from Doffing in Edinburg, the county seat. A justice court can take a civil claim of up to $20,000 (interest excluded) and any eviction, but it cannot hear divorce, defamation or a fight over title to land. The county court shares claims above $200 with the justice courts, and suits over $500 up to $325,000 can go to a statutory county court or the district court. Precinct depends on where the address in dispute lies; the Hidalgo County justice court clerk can confirm which one.
Eviction Notices in Doffing: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Eviction from a Doffing rental starts with written notice to vacate of at least three days, unless the lease or agreement sets another period. Since January 1, 2026, the landlord may mail it, leave it in a conspicuous place inside the premises, hand it to any tenant 16 or older, or send it electronically if agreed in writing, and a private server can make that hand delivery. Next comes a sworn petition in the justice court for the precinct where the property sits, with its citation reserved to a sheriff or constable.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Doffing Defendants
The respondent in a Doffing divorce is served personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. If that keeps failing, the petitioner can file a Rule 106(b) motion with a sworn statement of places the respondent is probably found and what happened at each, and the court may then allow papers to be left with someone over 16 there. The respondent's answer falls due at 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday after 20 days run, and a default judgment waits until the return has sat with the clerk ten days.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Doffing
Mission Regional Medical Center (900 South Bryan Road, Mission, TX 78572) is the closest hospital on file, about 7.2 miles from Doffing. Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, 5501 South Mccoll, Edinburg, TX 78539, is about 11.4 miles off, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital, 2302 Cornerstone Boulevard, Edinburg, TX 78539, about 11.6 miles. Each records custodian who produces records under a subpoena is entitled to $1. Witnesses summoned to testify are owed $10 per day of attendance, paid when the subpoena is served.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Communities Around Doffing
Doffing addresses carry ZIP code 78574. La Homa, Palmview and Perezville lie close by.
Doffing Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 does not let either side, or anyone interested in the outcome, serve process in the case.
Can papers be taped to a door?
A citation goes on a Doffing door only if a Rule 106(b) order allows it.