Richmond is the Fort Bend County seat, and its justice center is only about 0.6 miles from the city's center, so a process server in Richmond, Texas is working beside the courts. Richmond packs 11,552 people into 4.3 square miles. Standard Service puts the attempt within 5 business days. Rush Service puts it within 48 hours. 24-Hour Service puts it within 24 hours. You can send a citation, petition, subpoena or notice to vacate. A signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service comes to your email after delivery.
What a Process Server Costs in Richmond: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service is $69. Rush Service is $119. 24-Hour Service is $169. The pricing page displays the same three, and the order form is where you pick. Fort Bend County's constables and sheriff may serve as well, and their fees are set by the commissioners court under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is a different option.
Who May Serve Papers in Richmond: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
In a county seat like Richmond it is tempting to walk papers across the street yourself. If you are a party, Rule 103 says you may not. Neither may anyone else with a stake in the result. Those who may are sheriffs and constables and others authorized by law, adults 18 or older named in a written court order, and process servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. See the certification guide.
Where Richmond Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Richmond is where Fort Bend County's courts sit. The Fort Bend County Justice Center is at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, TX 77469, about 0.6 miles from the city's center. Justice court takes civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions; divorces go elsewhere. A county court covers claims from over $200 up to $20,000 and for a civil case from over $500 up to $325,000 the choice includes a statutory county court or a district court. The justice court clerk can match an address to its precinct. The Fort Bend County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Richmond: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
In Richmond the landlord's route to court starts with a written notice to vacate. Three days is the least the tenant can be given, unless the lease or agreement sets another period. Allowed delivery: mail, a conspicuous place inside the premises, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, or electronic communication agreed in writing. Weekend and holiday days are part of the count, but a deadline landing on one moves ahead to the next business day. After the period comes the sworn petition in justice court. A private process server can deliver the notice but cannot serve the eviction citation, which a sheriff or constable must; an alias citation may be requested after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Richmond Defendants
In a Fort Bend County divorce the spouse is served with a citation and petition in person or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. When that does not work, Rule 106(b) lets the plaintiff ask the judge for another method, supported by a sworn statement of likely locations and earlier attempts. The order may allow papers left with a person over 16, or email or social media. Businesses answer at a registered agent, at a corporation's president or vice president, or through the Secretary of State. Default judgment has to wait until ten days after proof of service is filed. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Richmond
Richmond Police Department covers the city. Oakbend Medical Center, 1705 Jackson St, Richmond, TX 77469, is about 0.6 miles away. Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, 17500 W Grand Parkway South, Sugar Land, TX 77479, is about 4.5 miles, and Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital, 16655 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77479, about 7.5 miles. A subpoena reaches the witness as a copy with any fee required: $10 per day of attendance from the summoning party, and $1 for a records custodian. A nonparty's documents need 10 days' notice to all parties. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Richmond
Richmond has ZIP codes 77406 and 77469. Rosenberg, Sugar Land and Fulshear are its neighbors.
Richmond Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party is barred by Rule 103.
What if the person avoids service?
Document every try and ask for a Rule 106(b) order. See the services page and the FAQ.