Palestine is the Anderson County seat and a city of 18,537 people on 19.5 square miles, so a process server in Palestine, Texas begins near the courthouse and the city's hospital. Citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices are all fair game. Palestine clients who are in no hurry take Standard Service, with its attempt inside 5 business days. Anyone with a tighter deadline takes Rush Service, with an attempt inside 48 hours, or 24-Hour Service, with one inside 24 hours. A signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed afterward.
What a Process Server Costs in Palestine: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service runs $69. Rush Service runs $119. 24-Hour Service runs $169. Those are the only numbers on the pricing page and the order form. Anderson County constables and the sheriff may serve too, charging whatever the commissioners court sets under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is another route.
Who May Serve Papers in Palestine: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Plenty of people in Palestine assume a relative can hand over a summons. Rule 103 disagrees whenever the relative, or the person asking, has a stake in the case. The people it does allow are sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law, adults 18 or older named in a written court order, and process servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The certification guide has more.
Where Palestine Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
The Anderson County Courthouse is at 500 North Church Street, Palestine, TX 75801, about 1.4 miles from Palestine's center, and Palestine is the county seat. Justice court hears civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions, but not divorces. County courts take amounts above $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. Because precincts follow the disputed address, a call to the justice court clerk will settle which one applies. The Anderson County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Palestine: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A Palestine landlord gives a written notice to vacate of at least three days, unless the lease or agreement sets a different period. Mail, a conspicuous place inside the premises, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, and electronic communication agreed in writing are the permitted methods. Every day on the calendar is counted, and a deadline that lands on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day. After that the landlord can bring the sworn petition to the justice court. A private server can deliver the notice but cannot serve the eviction citation, which a sheriff or constable must serve; an alias citation is possible after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Palestine Defendants
Divorce citations in Anderson County are served in person or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. If a spouse cannot be found, a Rule 106(b) motion with a sworn statement of likely locations and prior attempts may lead to an order for papers left with someone over 16, or for email or social media delivery. Companies are reached through a registered agent, a president or vice president, or the Secretary of State. No default judgment can be taken before proof of service has been filed for ten days. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Palestine
Palestine Police Department is the local agency. Palestine Regional Medical Center, 2900 S Loop 256, Palestine, TX 75801, is about 1.8 miles away and is the only hospital in range. To serve a subpoena, the server puts a copy in the witness's hands and offers any fee that applies. A witness is paid $10 for each day of attendance by the summoning party, and a custodian who produces records is paid $1. Documents sought from a nonparty require 10 days' notice to all parties before service. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Palestine
Palestine's ZIP codes are 75801 and 75803. Elkhart is the neighbor listed.
Palestine Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 bars parties.
How is a company served?
Serve the registered agent if there is one, or an officer, or as a fallback the Secretary of State. See services and the FAQ.