Port Lavaca is the Calhoun County seat, with a courthouse about 0.4 miles from the city's center, so a process server in Port Lavaca, TX, serving citations, petitions, subpoenas and notices, starts almost at the courthouse steps. About 11,549 people live across its 10.2 square miles. The most economical tier, Standard Service, has an attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service sets one within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service sets one within 24 hours. After delivery, the server's signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed to you. Memorial Medical Center is a short distance from the center of town.
What a Process Server Costs in Port Lavaca: Three Flat Tiers
For $69 you get Standard Service. For $119 you get Rush Service. For $169 you get 24-Hour Service. The attempt windows are the ones above, and both the pricing page and the order form agree. Calhoun County's constables and sheriff are another way to get papers served, and the commissioners court sets what they charge under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is simply one more choice.
Who May Serve Papers in Port Lavaca: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Rule 103 gives Port Lavaca plaintiffs three options and one prohibition. The options: a sheriff, constable or other person authorized by law; an adult 18 or older named in a written court order; a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. The prohibition: nobody with a stake in the case may serve, and that includes you if you filed it. The certification guide explains the credential.
Where Port Lavaca Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Port Lavaca is the Calhoun County seat, and the Calhoun County Courthouse is at 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, about 0.4 miles from the city's center. Small civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions belong in justice court, while divorces go elsewhere. County courts also take amounts from over $200 to $20,000 and civil cases from over $500 up to $325,000 may be heard by a statutory county court or a district court. The justice court clerk can say which precinct fits a given address. See the Calhoun County page.
Eviction Notices in Port Lavaca: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
A Port Lavaca landlord's first step toward eviction is a written notice to vacate. The tenant gets at least three days, unless the lease or agreement says otherwise. Mail, a conspicuous placement inside the premises, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, or electronic communication agreed in writing can all carry it. The count includes weekends and holidays, with a deadline landing on one moving to the next business day. The landlord's next filing is the sworn petition, which goes to justice court. Taking the notice to the tenant can be handled by a private process server. Serving the eviction citation is for a sheriff or constable, and after 5 business days without service an alias citation can be requested.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Port Lavaca Defendants
A divorce citation goes to the spouse in person or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. A spouse who cannot be reached that way can be served differently if a judge agrees under Rule 106(b). The plaintiff's motion must come with a sworn statement of likely locations and earlier efforts. Among the methods a judge could approve are leaving the papers with a person over 16, email and social media. A company is reached through its registered agent, a president or vice president of a corporation, or the Secretary of State. The court will wait ten days after proof of service is filed before any default judgment. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Port Lavaca
Port Lavaca Police Department covers the city. Memorial Medical Center, 701 N Virginia St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, is about 0.7 miles away. The other, Jackson Healthcare Center at 1013 S Wells, Edna, TX 77957, is about 24.3 miles away. The server serves a subpoena by delivering a copy to the witness with any fee the law requires. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, due from the summoning party, and a records custodian is owed $1. For a nonparty's documents, all parties get 10 days' notice. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Port Lavaca
Port Lavaca has ZIP code 77979.
Port Lavaca Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party is barred by Rule 103.
What if the person avoids service?
Keep notes on each try and ask for a Rule 106(b) order. The services page and the FAQ go into related topics.