A process server in Seagoville, Texas first has to ask which county the case is in, because this city of 18,457 people on 18.8 square miles lies in Dallas County and partly in Kaufman County. Either way the work is the same: getting a citation, petition, subpoena or notice into the right hands. Standard Service sets an attempt within 5 business days, Rush Service within 48 hours, and 24-Hour Service within 24 hours. A signed Rule 107 Return of Service is emailed after delivery. The Dallas County seat is about 17.5 miles away.
What a Process Server Costs in Seagoville: Three Flat Tiers
Standard Service is $69. Rush Service is $119. 24-Hour Service is $169. The pricing page carries the list, and the order form is where you pick. Constables and sheriffs in both counties also serve, at fees each commissioners court sets under Local Government Code 118.131. A private server is a separate option.
Who May Serve Papers in Seagoville: Certified Servers, Constables and Court Orders
One state rule covers both counties. Rule 103 admits sheriffs, constables and other persons authorized by law, and it admits an adult 18 or older when a written court order names the adult. It also admits process servers certified by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission. Anyone with a personal stake in the lawsuit is refused, which includes the person who filed it. See the certification guide.
Where Seagoville Cases Are Filed: Justice Court, County Court and District Court
For a Dallas County case, the seat is Dallas, where the George L Allen Sr Courts Building stands at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202, about 17.5 miles from Seagoville in a straight line. If the address is in Kaufman County, that county's courts apply instead. A claim for money up to $20,000 (excluding interest) can go to justice court, as can an eviction, though divorces cannot. County courts also take amounts above $200 up to $20,000. For a civil case over $500 up to $325,000 a statutory county court and a district court overlap. The justice court clerk can tell you which precinct covers a given address. See the Dallas County page.
Eviction Notices in Seagoville: Notice to Vacate and the Justice Court Case
In Seagoville, an eviction runs on paper before it runs through the courts. The landlord sends a written notice to vacate with at least three days, unless a lease or agreement sets another period. Mail will do. So will a notice left in a conspicuous place inside the premises, a notice handed to a tenant aged 16 or older, or electronic communication if both sides agreed in writing. Weekends and holidays count, and a deadline landing on one extends to the next business day. Only then is a sworn petition filed in justice court. A private process server may handle the notice. The eviction citation must be served by a sheriff or constable, with an alias citation available after 5 business days.
Divorce Papers, Citations and Substituted Service for Seagoville Defendants
Divorce service begins with a citation and petition, delivered to the spouse by hand or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. If neither approach works, the plaintiff asks the judge for something else under Rule 106(b), supporting the motion with a sworn statement of probable locations and earlier efforts. The order could allow papers to be left with a person over 16 or sent by email or social media. A business is served through a registered agent, a corporation's president or vice president, or the Secretary of State. The court will not enter a default until proof of service has been on file ten days. The Rule 106(b) guide has more.
Subpoena Service, Witness Fees and Records Near Seagoville
The hospitals in range are Dallas Regional Medical Center, 1011 North Galloway Avenue, Mesquite, TX 75149 (about 9.2 miles), Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Sunnyvale, 231 South Collins Road, Sunnyvale, TX 75182 (about 10.0 miles), and Crescent Medical Center Lancaster, 2600 West Pleasant Run Road, Lancaster, TX 75146 (about 13.3 miles). A subpoena is handed to the witness with any fee the law requires: the witness fee is $10 for each day of attendance, paid by the party who summons, and the custodian fee for records is $1. Before a records subpoena goes to a nonparty, all parties must receive 10 days' notice. The fee guide has more.
ZIP Codes and Neighboring Cities Around Seagoville
Seagoville has the single ZIP code 75159. Dallas, Combine, Mesquite and Wilmer are the neighboring places.
Seagoville Process Server FAQ
Can I serve the papers myself?
No. As the person who filed the case you have a stake in it, and Rule 103 forbids that.
What if the person avoids service?
Log every try and ask the judge for a Rule 106(b) order. The services page and the FAQ say more.