Galveston is its own county seat, and the Galveston County Justice Center is listed about 10.8 miles from the city, so a process server in Galveston, Texas should plan around the Galveston County court filing. 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 to the sender. The city has 53,695 residents on 41.0 square miles.
What a Process Server Costs in Galveston: Three Flat Tiers
Nothing gets added on top of three prices. Buy Standard Service for $69 and the attempt comes within 5 business days. Buy Rush Service for $119 and it comes within 48 hours. Buy 24-Hour Service for $169 and it comes within 24 hours. Read about them on the pricing page and order through the order form.
County constables and the sheriff charge fees set by the commissioners court under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is simply an alternative.
Who May Serve Papers in Galveston: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 lets a sheriff, constable or other authorized person serve, along with an adult 18 or older who has a written court order and a person certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Nobody with a personal stake in the suit may. A clerk can send a citation by registered or certified mail if asked. Commission certification expires at the end of the month of its second anniversary unless renewed. The Rule 103 guide has the detail.
Where Galveston Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Galveston County Justice Center, 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551, is about 10.8 miles from the city. Justice court covers civil claims up to $20,000 excluding interest, evictions and some lien enforcement, but not divorces, slander, land title or suits enforcing a lien on land.
On claims between $200 and $20,000 a county court has the same authority as a justice court. On civil cases from $500 to $325,000 a statutory county court has the same authority as the district court, leaving out interest, damages, penalties, fees and costs. The disputed address sets the justice court precinct, and the county's justice court clerk can confirm. The Galveston County hub has more.
Eviction Notices in Galveston: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, written notice to vacate comes first. It runs at least three days unless a written lease or agreement sets another period, and nonpayment can use a notice to pay or vacate. The notice can be mailed, left where it will be seen inside the unit, given to a tenant who is 16 or older, or sent by electronic message if the parties agreed in writing. The calendar runs through weekends and holidays, and only a last day landing on one moves ahead.
A private server can deliver the notice. Only a sheriff or constable serves the eviction citation, and an alias citation can be requested if 5 business days pass after filing without service.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Galveston Defendants
The standard routes for a citation and petition are personal delivery and registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. When they fail, Rule 106(b) allows a motion with a sworn statement or declaration under penalty of perjury naming probable locations and the efforts made. The court may then order that papers be left with a person over 16 there, or sent by email or social media. A door or a roommate does not count without that order. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Registered agents receive service for entities, and a corporation's president or vice president may also. When no agent can be found, the Secretary of State is the fallback. A default judgment must wait until proof of service has been on file ten days, with filing and judgment days excluded.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Galveston
Two hospitals appear in the data. Shriners Hospitals for Children, 815 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550, is about 14.2 miles away, and University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, is about 14.4 miles away.
A witness is owed $10 for each day of attendance, paid by the summoning party when the subpoena is served, and a records custodian is owed $1. A witness within 150 miles of the county where the suit is pending may be summoned. A subpoena for a nonparty's documents may be served only after the parties have had 10 days of notice. The witness fee guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Galveston
Galveston's ZIP codes are 77550, 77551, 77554 and 77555. Neighbors include Texas City, Jamaica Beach and Tiki Island.
Galveston Process Server FAQ
Can papers be taped to a door?
Only with a Rule 106(b) court order. Without an order, a citation on a door is not valid service.
What if the person avoids service?
Ask the court for a different method through a Rule 106(b) motion that lays out where and how service was tried.