El Campo is a Wharton County city of 12,353 people, and a process server in El Campo, Texas has about 12.8 miles to travel to the county seat of Wharton for most court business. The city covers 9.2 square miles. Standard Service plans the attempt inside 5 business days. Rush Service plans it inside 48 hours. 24-Hour Service plans it inside 24 hours. The paper can be a citation, a petition, a subpoena or a notice to vacate, and the signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed to you after the handoff.
What a Process Server Costs in El Campo: Three Flat Tiers
You will not need a calculator in El Campo. Standard Service is $69 Rush Service is $119 and 24-Hour Service is $169. The pricing page says so, and so does the order form. Wharton County constables and the sheriff are separate options whose fees come from the commissioners court (Local Government Code 118.131).
Who May Serve Papers in El Campo: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Anyone can ask who may serve, but Rule 103 gives a precise answer. Sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law may. An adult at least 18 may, if a written court order names the adult. So may a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. A party, or anyone with a stake in the outcome, never may. The certification guide explains the certificate.
Where El Campo Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Wharton is the county seat, and the Wharton County Courthouse is at 103 South Fulton Street, Wharton, TX 77488, about 12.8 miles from El Campo in a straight line. Money claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and eviction suits are heard in justice court; divorces are not. County courts take amounts over $200 up to $20,000. For a civil case over $500 up to $325,000 a statutory county court or a district court may be the venue. The justice court clerk can tell you the precinct that covers a particular address. The Wharton County page has more.
Eviction Notices in El Campo: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
The first formal act in an El Campo eviction is a landlord's written notice to vacate. It must allow at least three days, unless the lease or agreement provides a different period. Mail, a conspicuous placement inside the premises, a hand-off to a tenant 16 or older, and electronic communication agreed in writing are all acceptable ways to deliver it. Every calendar day counts, though a final day on a weekend or holiday waits for the next business day. After the period runs out, a sworn petition is filed in justice court. A hired private process server can deliver the notice, while the eviction citation is served by a sheriff or constable, with an alias citation possible after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for El Campo Defendants
A divorce citation reaches an El Campo spouse in person or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If that fails, the plaintiff files a Rule 106(b) motion with a sworn statement of probable locations and earlier attempts, and the judge may approve papers left with someone over 16, or delivery by email or social media. Companies are served at their registered agent, at a president or vice president if they are corporations, or through the Secretary of State. Before any default judgment, ten days of proof of service must be on file. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near El Campo
El Campo Police Department covers the city. El Campo Memorial Hospital, 303 Sandy Corner Rd, El Campo, TX 77437, is about 1.7 miles away and is the only hospital in range. The witness receives a copy of the subpoena from the server, along with any fee the law requires. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, paid by the summoning party, and a records custodian is owed $1. When a nonparty holds the documents, every party gets 10 days' notice. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around El Campo
El Campo is ZIP code 77437. Wharton and Ganado are the neighboring places.
El Campo Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 bars parties.
What if the person avoids service?
Record every attempt and request a Rule 106(b) order from the court. More is on the services page and in the FAQ.