A process server in Port Arthur, Texas, covers 75.6 square miles and 56,027 residents in Jefferson County, with a share of the city in Orange County. The server delivers citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices to vacate, with the attempt coming within 5 business days, 48 hours or 24 hours by tier. A signed Rule 107 Return of Service arrives by email. The county seat is Beaumont, about 17.2 miles away.
What a Process Server Costs in Port Arthur: Three Flat Tiers
Consider the three tiers as price points for speed. At Standard Service, $69 buys an attempt within 5 business days. At Rush Service, $119 buys one within 48 hours. At 24-Hour Service, $169 buys one within 24 hours. The pricing page shows them together, and the order form starts a job.
County constables and sheriffs charge fees fixed by the commissioners court under Local Government Code 118.131, so Jefferson and Orange counties can differ. A private server offers another way.
Who May Serve Papers in Port Arthur: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 allows officers and others authorized by law, adults 18 or older acting under written court order, and persons certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission to serve. It forbids service by a party or an interested person. On request, the clerk will use registered or certified mail. Certification is issued under the Supreme Court's order and expires on the last day of the month of the second anniversary unless renewed. For more, see the Rule 103 guide.
Where Port Arthur Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Port Arthur is not the county seat; Beaumont is. The Jefferson County Courthouse, 1085 Pearl Street, Beaumont, TX 77701, is about 17.2 miles from Port Arthur. A suit based in the Orange County portion follows Orange County's courts. Justice courts take civil claims up to $20,000 excluding interest, evictions and some lien enforcement, but not divorces, slander, land title or lien-on-land suits.
County courts overlap with justice courts for claims over $200 up to $20,000. Statutory county courts overlap with district courts for civil cases over $500 up to $325,000 excluding interest, damages, penalties, fees and costs. The precinct follows the address in dispute, and the county's justice court clerk can confirm. The Jefferson County hub has more.
Eviction Notices in Port Arthur: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For eviction suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, the landlord must deliver written notice to vacate first. The period is at least three days unless a written lease or agreement chooses another, and nonpayment may use a notice to pay or vacate. It may go by mail, inside the premises in a conspicuous place, by hand to a tenant 16 or older, or electronically when agreed in writing. Time includes weekends and holidays, and a last day on one slides to the next business day.
A private server may deliver the notice. The eviction citation, however, is for a sheriff or constable alone, with an alias citation available after 5 business days from filing without service.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Port Arthur Defendants
A citation and petition normally go to the defendant personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. If neither works, Rule 106(b) lets the court authorize another method, based on a sworn statement or declaration under penalty of perjury listing likely locations and what was tried. The order may permit leaving the papers with a person over 16 or using email or social media. Without that order, a relative, a roommate or a door will not do. The Rule 106(b) guide covers it.
An entity must keep a registered agent, and a corporation's president or vice president can also be served. The Secretary of State is the agent if none can be found. A default judgment requires ten days of proof of service on file, with filing and judgment days not counted.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Port Arthur
The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, 2555 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Port Arthur, TX 77640, is about 3.1 miles away. Baptist Beaumont Hospital, 3080 College Street, Beaumont, TX 77701, is about 17.8 miles away, and CHRISTUS Southeast Texas- St Elizabeth, 2830 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77702, is about 19.1 miles away. Port Arthur has a police department of its own for local records.
A witness gets $10 for every day of attendance, paid by the summoning party at service, and a records custodian gets $1. A witness within 150 miles of the county where the suit is pending may be summoned. A nonparty documents subpoena calls for 10 days' notice to the parties before service. The witness fee guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Port Arthur
Port Arthur's ZIP codes are 77640, 77642 and 77655. Groves, Port Neches, Nederland and Bridge City are its neighbors.
Port Arthur Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Parties are barred from serving, so use an officer, a certified process server or a court-authorized adult.
How soon after service can a default judgment be taken?
Ten days after proof of service is filed, not counting filing day and judgment day.