Groves is one of the smallest cities in Jefferson County by area, 5.2 square miles holding 17,340 people, and a process server in Groves, Texas takes papers about 14.0 miles to the courthouse in Beaumont and back. The paper may be a citation, petition, subpoena or notice. Choose Standard Service for an attempt within 5 business days, Rush Service for 48 hours, or 24-Hour Service for 24 hours. Delivery ends with a signed Rule 107 Return of Service, emailed to you. The nearest hospital listed is about 4.7 miles away in Port Arthur.
What a Process Server Costs in Groves: Three Flat Tiers
The Groves price list: Standard Service at $69 is the slowest tier, Rush Service at $119 is the middle tier, and 24-Hour Service at $169 is the fastest. The pricing page and order form agree. Jefferson County constables and the sheriff may serve as well, and the commissioners court sets their fees under Local Government Code 118.131. Private service is another option.
Who May Serve Papers in Groves: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
If the question is whether you can serve a relative's papers, Rule 103 answers by asking whether you have a stake in the case. If yes, no. If no, you still need a role: sheriff, constable or other person authorized by law; adult 18 or older named in a written court order; or process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The certification guide explains more.
Where Groves Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Beaumont is the Jefferson County seat. The Jefferson County Courthouse is at 1085 Pearl Street, Beaumont, TX 77701, about 14.0 miles from Groves in a straight line. Justice court handles civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions, but not divorces. County courts accept amounts above $200 up to $20,000 and a civil case over $500 up to $325,000 can be heard by a statutory county court or a district court. For the precinct, ask the justice court clerk, since it follows the disputed address. The Jefferson County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Groves: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For a Groves landlord, evictions begin with a notice to vacate in writing. Three days is the minimum, unless the lease or agreement sets another period. Mailing is allowed. So is placing it in a conspicuous spot inside the premises, handing it to a tenant who is 16 or older, or sending it electronically when both sides agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays count, with a last day on one moving to the next business day. The landlord next files a sworn petition in justice court. A private server may deliver the notice, but only a sheriff or constable may serve the eviction citation, and an alias citation can be requested after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Groves Defendants
Divorce service under Rule 106 starts with delivering the citation and petition to the spouse, or mailing them by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither works, the plaintiff may ask the court for something else with a sworn statement of likely locations and earlier attempts. The judge may allow leaving papers with someone older than 16, or using email or social media. A company is served through a registered agent, a corporation's president or vice president, or the Secretary of State. Ten days of proof of service on file are needed before default judgment. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Groves
Groves Police Department is the local agency. Hospitals in range: The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, 2555 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Port Arthur, TX 77640 (about 4.7 miles), Baptist Beaumont Hospital, 3080 College Street, Beaumont, TX 77701 (about 14.8 miles), and CHRISTUS Southeast Texas- St Elizabeth, 2830 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77702 (about 16.1 miles). A subpoena is handed to the witness as a copy with any fee the law requires: $10 for each day of attendance, from the summoning party, and $1 for a records custodian. For nonparty documents, all parties get 10 days' notice before service. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Groves
Groves has ZIP code 77619. Neighbors: Port Arthur, Port Neches and Nederland.
Groves Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Parties are barred by Rule 103.
What if the person avoids service?
Write down each try and ask for a Rule 106(b) order. The services page and FAQ say more.