Jacksonville sits in Cherokee County, but the county seat is Rusk, about 13.2 miles away, so a process server in Jacksonville, Texas often carries papers on that run. Jacksonville's 14,022 residents live across 15.1 square miles. Whether you hold a citation, a petition, a subpoena or a notice, the process is the same. Pick Standard Service and the attempt falls inside 5 business days. Pick Rush Service and it falls inside 48 hours, or 24-Hour Service and it falls inside 24 hours. When delivery is complete, the server's signed Rule 107 Return of Service reaches your email. A hospital is only about 0.3 miles from the city's center.
What a Process Server Costs in Jacksonville: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service costs $69. Rush Service costs $119. 24-Hour Service costs $169. Those are the prices listed on the pricing page, and the order form offers the same three. Cherokee County constables and the sheriff are another way to get papers served, and the commissioners court sets their fees (Local Government Code 118.131). A private server is one more option.
Who May Serve Papers in Jacksonville: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Jacksonville plaintiffs often ask a neighbor to help. Rule 103 will not allow it if the neighbor has any stake in the case, and even a neutral neighbor needs a written court order naming an adult 18 or older. Without that, service is for sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law, or process servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. More on the credential is in the certification guide.
Where Jacksonville Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Rusk is the Cherokee County seat, and the Cherokee County Courthouse is at 135 South Main Street, Rusk, TX 75785, about 13.2 miles from Jacksonville in a straight line. Justice court takes civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and eviction suits, and divorces do not belong there. County courts accept amounts over $200 up to $20,000 and a civil case over $500 up to $325,000 may be heard by a statutory county court or a district court. The justice court precinct for an address can be confirmed by the clerk. The Cherokee County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Jacksonville: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For a Jacksonville eviction the notice comes first and it must be written. The tenant gets at least three days, unless the lease or agreement sets a different period. A landlord can mail the notice, put it in a conspicuous place inside the premises, give it to a tenant 16 or older, or send it electronically if both sides agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays are included in the days, with a last day on one moving to the next business day. Next on the paper trail is a sworn petition filed in justice court. The notice itself can be hand-delivered by a hired process server. The eviction citation, though, is served by a sheriff or constable, and an alias citation may be requested after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Jacksonville Defendants
Serving a spouse in a Cherokee County divorce begins with personal delivery or registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither works, Rule 106(b) lets the plaintiff ask the court for another approach, with a sworn statement of probable locations and earlier attempts. The judge may allow papers left with someone older than 16, or email or social media. Companies are served at the registered agent, at a corporation's president or vice president, or through the Secretary of State. Judgment by default has to wait until proof of service has been on file for ten days. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Jacksonville
Jacksonville Police Department covers the city. Hospitals in range: UT Health East Texas Jacksonville Hospital, 501 S Ragsdale, Jacksonville, TX 75766 (about 0.3 miles) and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Jacksonville, 2026 S Jackson Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766 (about 1.8 miles). A server hands the witness a copy of the subpoena along with any fee the law requires. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, from the party who summons, and the custodian fee is $1. If a nonparty holds the documents, all parties get 10 days' notice. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Jacksonville
Jacksonville uses ZIP code 75766. Bullard, Rusk and Troup are close by.
Jacksonville Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 excludes parties.
What if the person avoids service?
Log each visit and ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order. See the services page and the FAQ.