Hempstead is the Waller County seat, a city of 5,428 whose courthouse is just 0.2 miles from the center, so a process server in Hempstead, Texas starts almost next door to the clerk. Whatever the paper, a citation, petition, subpoena or notice to vacate, it can be served. Choose an attempt within 5 business days, within 48 hours or within 24 hours, and a signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed to you once delivery is made. Hempstead keeps its own police department.
Hempstead Rates: What a Process Server Costs
The rate card is short. Standard Service, $69: attempt inside 5 business days. Rush Service, $119: attempt inside 48 hours. 24-Hour Service, $169: attempt inside 24 hours. You can confirm the numbers on the pricing page and start an order on the order form.
Waller County officers have a fee schedule of their own, adopted by the commissioners court as Local Government Code 118.131 directs. Private service is simply another option.
Who May Serve Papers in Hempstead: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Texas keeps a short roster under Rule 103. Officers are on it. So are adults aged 18 or older whom a judge has authorized in writing. So are servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Absent from it: whoever sued, whoever is being sued, and anyone with a personal interest. More in the Rule 103 guide.
Where Hempstead Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Hempstead is the county seat, so the Waller County Courthouse, 836 Austin Street, Hempstead, TX 77445, is about 0.2 miles from the center. Justice court is where evictions and claims to $20,000 are filed. A county court shares claims from $200 to $20,000; and a statutory county court can reach civil cases from $500 to $325,000. To learn which justice precinct covers an address, ask the justice court clerk, because the address in dispute decides. See the Waller County hub.
Eviction Notices in Hempstead: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Landlords here begin with paper. A written notice to vacate gives the tenant three days or more, and a lease may adjust that. Delivery can be by mail, by hand to a tenant at least 16, inside the home, or by email when agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays are counted, so a deadline falling on one slides to the next business day. A tenant who stays faces the landlord's sworn petition in justice court. Only a sheriff or constable serves the citation.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Hempstead Defendants
Divorce is a district court matter. Serve the petition and citation directly, or by certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither succeeds, Rule 106(b) lets the filer swear to likely places and earlier tries and ask a judge to approve email, social media or papers left with an adult over 16. The Rule 106(b) guide breaks it down. A company takes papers at the agent it registered. No default until ten days after the return is on file.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Hempstead
Hempstead Police Department is the local agency. Hospitals in range: Bellville Medical Center (44 N Cummings St, Bellville, TX 77418, about 15.1 miles), Baylor Scott & White Hospital Brenham (700 Medical Parkway, Brenham, TX 77833, about 19.4 miles) and Grimes St Joseph Health Center (210 Judson St, Navasota, TX 77868, about 20.2 miles). A witness is paid $10 per day of attendance and a records custodian $1. The subpoena guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Hempstead
Hempstead's ZIP is 77445, and Pine Island, Prairie View and Waller sit nearby.
Hempstead Process Server FAQ
May I serve my own divorce papers?
Never. A spouse who files is a party.
Does a judge ever approve social media service?
Yes, under Rule 106(b), when ordinary delivery has failed and a sworn motion explains the attempts.
How long is the default hold?
Ten days after filing proof, with the filing and judgment days excluded.