Hereford, Texas has its county courthouse about 0.3 miles from the city's center, and a process server in Hereford can deliver papers there without leaving the neighborhood of the Deaf Smith County seat. Some 14,971 people live in the city, which covers 6.3 square miles. The three clocks are Standard Service at 5 business days to the attempt, Rush Service at 48 hours, and 24-Hour Service at 24 hours. The documents can be citations, petitions, subpoenas or notices, and every delivery ends with a signed Rule 107 Return of Service emailed to you.
What a Process Server Costs in Hereford: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service costs $69. Rush Service costs $119. 24-Hour Service costs $169. They are shown that way on the pricing page and the order form. A Deaf Smith County constable or the sheriff can serve papers too, but their fees come from the commissioners court (Local Government Code 118.131), which this page does not predict.
Who May Serve Papers in Hereford: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
You can think of Rule 103 as three green lights and one red. Green: sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law. Green: an adult 18 or older named in a written court order. Green: a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Red: any party to the lawsuit and anyone else with a stake in how it ends. The certification guide explains the credential.
Where Hereford Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Hereford is where Deaf Smith County keeps its courthouse. It stands at 235 East 3rd Street, Hereford, TX 79045, about 0.3 miles from the city's center. Money claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and eviction suits are justice court business, while divorce is not. County courts share claims from over $200 up to $20,000. For civil cases over $500 up to $325,000 either a statutory county court or a district court may hear the matter. The justice court clerk can say which precinct covers a given address. The Deaf Smith County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Hereford: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Imagine a Hereford landlord whose tenant has stopped paying. Before any court filing, a written notice to vacate has to be delivered, giving at least three days unless the lease or agreement sets a different period. Mail works, so does a conspicuous placement inside the premises, so does a hand-off to a tenant 16 or older, and so does electronic communication agreed in writing. The calendar includes weekends and holidays; a last day on one carries to the next business day. After that the sworn petition is filed in justice court. A hired private server can deliver the notice. The court's own eviction citation is served by a sheriff or constable, and when 5 business days pass after filing without service an alias citation becomes available.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Hereford Defendants
For a divorce in Deaf Smith County, the attempt at service is personal delivery of the citation and petition, or registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If a spouse cannot be located, the plaintiff may file a Rule 106(b) motion with a sworn statement naming likely locations and describing earlier efforts. A judge could then approve leaving papers with someone over 16, or delivering by email or social media. A business is served by finding its registered agent, or a president or vice president if it is a corporation, or else the Secretary of State. A default judgment cannot be signed until ten days of proof of service are on file. The Rule 106(b) guide explains the process.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Hereford
Hereford Police Department takes local reports. Hereford Regional Medical Center, 801 East Third, Hereford, TX 79045, is about 0.5 miles away. Plains Memorial Hospital, 310 West Halsell Street, Dimmitt, TX 79027, is about 19.1 miles, and Parmer County Community Hospital, 1307 Cleveland Street, Friona, TX 79035, about 22.0 miles. A subpoena reaches the witness as a copy, together with any fee required. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, paid by the summoning party, and the custodian fee is $1. If a nonparty holds the documents, every party must receive 10 days' notice before service. The fee guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Hereford
Hereford has ZIP code 79045. Dimmitt is the neighboring city listed.
Hereford Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 treats a party as an interested person, which rules out serving.
What if the person avoids service?
Record each try and ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order. Our services page and FAQ say more.