Longview is the Gregg County seat, and its 81,648 residents also spill into Harrison County, which matters when you hire a process server in Longview, Texas. Citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate can all be delivered on one of three schedules: attempt within 5 business days, within 48 hours, or within 24 hours. A signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed when the delivery is complete.
What a Process Server Costs in Longview: Three Flat Tiers
Flat pricing keeps this simple. Standard Service: $69 buys an attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service: $119 buys one within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service: $169 buys one within 24 hours. The pricing page explains each tier, and the order form starts a job.
Local constables and sheriffs also serve papers. Their fees are set by commissioners courts, county by county, under Local Government Code 118.131, so a Gregg County fee and a Harrison County fee are not necessarily the same. A private server is a parallel option.
Who May Serve Papers in Longview: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 gives the list. Law enforcement officers, such as a sheriff or constable, qualify. Adults who are 18 or older qualify if a written court order says so. People certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission qualify as well. Parties and others with a stake in the outcome never do. If a clerk is asked, the clerk can send registered or certified mail instead. The Commission's certification lasts until the final day of the month of its second anniversary, unless renewed; the JBCC certification guide covers the process.
Where Longview Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Since Longview is the county seat, the Gregg County Courthouse at 101 East Methvin Street, Longview, TX 75601, is only about 2.1 miles from the city. A case tied to the Harrison County portion may belong in that county's courts. Justice courts decide civil claims to $20,000 without interest, evictions and some lien enforcement, but not divorces, slander and defamation, land title or suits enforcing a lien on land.
Claims from over $200 to $20,000 can also be heard by a county court. From over $500 to $325,000 a statutory county court and the district court can both hear civil cases, ignoring interest, damages, penalties, fees and costs. The disputed address sets the justice court precinct, and the justice court clerk can say which one. The Gregg County hub lists more.
Eviction Notices in Longview: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For an eviction case filed on or after January 1, 2026, the opening move is a written notice to vacate. It must give at least three days unless the lease or agreement says otherwise, and in nonpayment situations it may ask the tenant to pay or leave. Four delivery methods exist: mail, delivery inside the premises in a conspicuous place, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, and electronic communication where agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays count; a last day on one moves to the next business day.
A private server can legitimately deliver the notice. The citation for the justice court case is another matter, since only a sheriff or constable may serve it, and an alias citation can be requested when 5 business days pass after filing without service.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Longview Defendants
Everything begins with the defendant receiving the citation and petition personally or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. Where that fails, Rule 106(b) comes in. The plaintiff files a motion with a sworn statement or penalty-of-perjury declaration describing where the defendant might be found and what happened on earlier tries. A court order can then authorize delivery to anyone over 16 at that spot, or by email, social media or other reasonably effective means. A citation tucked in with a relative or fixed to a door does nothing absent that order. The Rule 106(b) guide goes through it.
An entity has a registered agent; if the agent cannot be reached with reasonable diligence, the Secretary of State is the agent. A corporation's president and vice presidents can also receive service. A default judgment requires ten days of proof of service on file, not counting filing and judgment days.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Longview
Longview Regional Medical Center, 2901 N Fourth St, Longview, TX 75605, is about 2.0 miles away, and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center, 700 E Marshall Ave, Longview, TX 75601, is about 2.2 miles away. UT Health East Texas Henderson Hospital, 300 Wilson Street, Henderson, TX 75652, is about 24.9 miles away. The Longview Police Department is the local agency.
Witness fees are $10 per day of attendance, paid by the party who summons the witness when the subpoena is served. Records custodians who produce or certify records are owed $1. A witness within 150 miles of the county where the lawsuit is pending may be summoned. A subpoena for documents from someone who is not a party calls for 10 days' notice to the parties before service. See the witness fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Longview
ZIP codes for Longview are 75601, 75602, 75604 and 75605. White Oak, Kilgore and Gladewater are neighbors.
Longview Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No, because parties cannot serve their own suits. Hire a constable, a sheriff or a certified process server.
How is a company served?
Through its registered agent or a corporate officer such as the president, with the Secretary of State as a backup.