Rockport is the Aransas County seat, a coastal city of 10,084 people on 16.5 square miles, and a process server in Rockport, Texas can reach the county courthouse, about 1.5 miles from the city's center, within a few minutes of leaving. Papers for service can be citations, petitions, subpoenas or notices. Standard Service gives an attempt inside 5 business days, Rush Service inside 48 hours, 24-Hour Service inside 24 hours. A signed Texas Rule 107 Return of Service arrives in your inbox when the papers have been handed over.
What a Process Server Costs in Rockport: Three Flat Tiers
What Rockport customers pay depends only on speed. Standard Service is $69. Rush Service is $119. 24-Hour Service is $169. The pricing page and the order form show the same three figures. Aransas County's constables and sheriff can serve too, and the commissioners court sets their fees under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is another route.
Who May Serve Papers in Rockport: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
Any Rockport landlord, spouse or creditor who files a case is a party, and Rule 103 forbids parties from serving. The same rule forbids anyone else with a stake in the result. It allows 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 guide explains the certificate in detail.
Where Rockport Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
Aransas County's courts are in Rockport. The Aransas County Courthouse is at 301 North Live Oak Street, Rockport, TX 78382, about 1.5 miles from the city's center. Justice court is the venue for civil claims up to $20,000 (excluding interest) and evictions, not divorces. County courts also handle amounts from over $200 up to $20,000 and civil cases from over $500 up to $325,000 may go to a statutory county court or a district court. The clerk of the justice court can say which precinct fits an address. The Aransas County page has more.
Eviction Notices in Rockport: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
Rockport landlords start an eviction by putting a notice to vacate in writing. The tenant must have at least three days, unless the lease or agreement sets a different period. The landlord may mail the notice, leave it in a conspicuous place inside the premises, hand it to a tenant 16 or older, or send it electronically when the parties agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays are counted among the days, and a last day on one moves to the next business day. The sworn petition comes next, filed by the landlord in justice court. A private process server can deliver the notice, while the eviction citation must be served by a sheriff or constable and an alias citation is available after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Rockport Defendants
In a Rockport divorce, the citation is meant to reach the spouse in person or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither route works, the plaintiff may ask the court under Rule 106(b) for another method, with a sworn statement naming probable locations and earlier attempts. Possible orders cover papers left with someone over 16, or email and social media. For a business, the target is its registered agent, a corporate president or vice president, or else the Secretary of State. A default judgment waits for proof of service to have been on file ten days. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Rockport
Rockport Police Department takes local reports. The only hospital in range is Refugio County Memorial Hospital, 107 Swift Street, Refugio, TX 78377, about 22.7 miles away. A subpoena is served by handing the witness a copy along with any fee the law requires. The witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, paid by the summoning party, and a records custodian is owed $1. When the documents belong to a nonparty, all parties must receive 10 days' notice. See the fee guide.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Rockport
Rockport uses ZIP code 78382. Fulton, Aransas Pass and Ingleside are its neighbors.
Rockport Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. A party is barred by Rule 103.
What if the person avoids service?
Document each try and ask the court for a Rule 106(b) order. Related questions are covered on the services page and in the FAQ.