Portland straddles two counties, San Patricio and Nueces, which is the first thing a process server in Portland, Texas has to sort out for any case. Portland counts 20,433 residents across 12.1 square miles. Whether the paper is a citation, petition, subpoena or notice, the work is the same. Standard Service plans its attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service plans one within 48 hours, and 24-Hour Service plans one within 24 hours. When the papers are delivered, a signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed to you. Sinton, the San Patricio County seat, is about 15.2 miles from town.
What a Process Server Costs in Portland: Three Flat Tiers
Portland customers choose among three prices. Standard Service is $69. Rush Service is $119. 24-Hour Service is $169. These are the rates on the pricing page and in the order form. Constables and sheriffs in San Patricio and Nueces counties may serve as well, and each commissioners court sets their fees under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is an extra option.
Who May Serve Papers in Portland: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Whichever county a Portland case sits in, Rule 103 applies the same way. Sheriffs, constables and others whom the law authorizes can serve. An adult 18 or older may serve if a written court order names the adult. So can a process server certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. A party to the suit, or a person interested in the outcome, may not. For more, see the certification guide.
Where Portland Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Look at which side of the county line the address sits on, because that decides the court. For San Patricio County the seat is Sinton, where the San Patricio County Courthouse stands at 400 West Sinton Street, Sinton, TX 78387, about 15.2 miles from Portland in a straight line. An address in the Nueces County portion points to Nueces County courts instead. A claim for money up to $20,000 (excluding interest) can be filed in justice court, and so can an eviction, though not a divorce. County courts also take claims from over $200 up to $20,000. A civil case worth over $500 and up to $325,000 might land in a statutory county court or a district court. For the justice court precinct, ask the justice court clerk, since it depends on the disputed address. The San Patricio County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Portland: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
For a Portland rental, the paper trail begins with the notice to vacate. It must be written and must give the tenant at least three days, unless the lease or agreement sets some other period. The Property Code lets a landlord mail it, put it inside the premises in a conspicuous place, hand it to any tenant aged 16 or older, or send it electronically when the parties agreed in writing. Every day counts, though a deadline landing on a weekend or holiday rolls to the next business day. The sworn petition then goes to the justice court where the property is located. A private server can handle the notice delivery. When it comes to the eviction citation, only a sheriff or constable may serve it, with an alias citation available if 5 business days pass after filing.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Portland Defendants
For a divorce, the citation and the petition are meant to be handed to the spouse or mailed by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If the spouse is hard to catch, the plaintiff can turn to Rule 106(b) with a motion and a sworn statement naming probable locations and describing each earlier try. The judge may approve leaving the papers with someone older than 16 or using email or social media. Corporations can be served through a registered agent, their president or a vice president, or the Secretary of State if no agent is found. Default judgment can follow only after proof of service has been on file ten days. Read the Rule 106(b) guide for the motion's details.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Portland
Portland has its own police department for incident reports. All the hospitals in range are in Corpus Christi: CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi, 600 Elizabeth Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (about 9.3 miles), Corpus Christi Medical Center,The, 3315 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (about 10.0 miles), and Driscoll Childrens Hospital, 3533 S Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (about 10.2 miles). Subpoena service means a copy delivered to the witness, with any fee the law requires. Whoever summons a witness owes $10 for each day of attendance, and a records custodian is owed $1. If you need documents from a nonparty, give all parties 10 days' notice ahead of service. The fee guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Portland
Portland has two ZIP codes, 78374 and 78390. The neighboring places are Corpus Christi, Gregory and Taft.
Portland Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. Rule 103 does not let a party serve, even in a case the party filed in San Patricio or Nueces County.
What if the person avoids service?
Write down every attempt and ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order. The services page and FAQ say more.
How is a company served?
Through its registered agent first, and then a president or vice president of a corporation or the Secretary of State.